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a boat on the Seyne, with the eiffeil tower, illustrating a stay in France

Visa & Legal Status

How Long Can Americans Stay in France Without a Visa? The 90/180-Day Schengen Rule Explained (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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france vs spain vs portugal

First Steps

France vs Portugal vs Spain: Which Is Best for Americans Moving to Europe in 2026?

By

Maxime Roseau

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french and american flag, illlustrating comparison between france and usa

First Steps

France vs USA Quality of Life: An Honest Comparison for Americans Considering the Move (2026)

By

Maxime Roseau

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A lot of different pills, illustrating healthcare

Healthcare

Is Healthcare Free in France for Americans? What It Really Costs and Who Pays for What

By

Aurelio Maurici

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pros and cons of living in France

First Steps

The Honest Pros and Cons of Living in France as an American (2026)

By

Maxime Roseau

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a thumb up, illustrating the safety

First Steps

Is France Safe for Americans? Crime, Safety by City, and What to Really Expect in 2026

By

Maxime Roseau

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person speaking french

Daily Life

The Administrative French You Actually Need in France: Key Vocabulary, Useful Phrases, and How to Build Confidence Without a Classroom

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a person is casting a vote into a box

Admin & Bureaucracy

How to Vote Absentee from France as an American: Overseas Registration, Deadlines, and What to Prepare

By

Aurelio Maurici

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health insurance papers

Healthcare

Best International Health Insurance for Americans Moving to France: GeoBlue, Cigna, IMG, and Now Health Compared (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a pen writing on a piece of paper, illustrating the Residence Permit Renewal

Citizenship & Integration

Residence Permit Renewal Delayed in France: Your Rights, How to Follow Up, and When to Escalate

By

Aurelio Maurici

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citizenship application rejected with red stamp

Citizenship & Integration

Common Reasons French Citizenship Applications Are Rejected: A Diagnostic Guide for Americans

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a man and woman dancing illlustrating move to France as the american spouse of a french citizen

Visa & Legal Status

Moving to France as the American Spouse of a French Citizen: Visa, Documents, and First Admin Steps

By

Aurelio Maurici

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woman wearing academic cap and dress selective focus photography illustrating the degree recognition

Education

Getting Your US Degree Recognized in France: ENIC-NARIC, Equivalence, and What American Diplomas Unlock

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Doctor talking to patient in an office.

Healthcare

How to Find and Register a Médecin Traitant in France as an American (Including When None Are Accepting New Patients)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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shallow focus photography of gray mailbox illustrating the french mail

Daily Life

How French Official Mail Works for Americans: Recommandé, Avis de Passage, and What to Do with Each

By

Maxime Roseau

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cube with 401 written on it, illustrating the 401k saving account

Banking & Finance

What Happens to Your US 401(k) and IRA When You Move to France

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Caisse d'allocations familiales (CAF) front sign on a building

Housing & Renting

Can Americans in France Get the CAF Housing Benefit? APL Eligibility, Amounts, and How to Apply

By

Maxime Roseau

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black ceramic mug beside white printer paper illustrating the tax return form

US Taxes Abroad

How to File Your First French Income Tax Return as an American Expat

By

Aurelio Maurici

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world map with pins

Citizenship & Integration

Traveling While Waiting for Your French Residence Permit Renewal: What Your Récépissé Actually Allows

By

Aurelio Maurici

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man in white dress shirt holding white box in a french pharmacie

Healthcare

How to Use the French Pharmacy System as an American: Ordonnances, Reimbursement, and What You Can Get Without a Prescription

By

Aurelio Maurici

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A person putting money into a miniature model house, illustrating a mortage

Banking & Finance

Can Americans Get a French Mortgage? Which Banks Lend to US Citizens and What They Require

By

Aurelio Maurici

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eiffel tower scale model on a french passport

Visa & Legal Status

How to Renew Your French Residence Permit as an American: Carte de Séjour Renewal Step by Step

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Sorbonne university of paris building with french flags

Education

The French School System for American Parents: Grades, Cycles, and What's Different from the US

By

Aurelio Maurici

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20 euro bill on white printer paper

Visa & Legal Status

How Much Money Do You Need for a France Long-Stay Visa? (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a doctor tool with a health insurance card

Healthcare

Do Americans in France Need a Mutuelle? Complementary Health Insurance After CPAM Explained

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Wrong way road sign, illustrating common mistakes Americans make when moving to France

First Steps

The 12 Most Common Mistakes Americans Make When Moving to France (2026)

By

Maxime Roseau

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a french flag on an administrative building, representing the french bureaucracy

Admin & Bureaucracy

What to Do When French Administration Goes Silent: Following Up with the Prefecture, CPAM, and CAF

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Logo of the "Notaires de France" illustrating the apostille

Admin & Bureaucracy

Apostille and Certified Translation for France: Which US Documents Americans Need to Legalize

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a cat and a dog

Daily Life

How to Move to France with Your Dog or Cat from the US: USDA Health Certificate, Microchip, Airline Rules, and the 2026 Checklist

By

Maxime Roseau

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Driver holding a BMW steering wheel, illustrating the French driver's license exchange process

Transport & Driving

How to Exchange Your US Driver's License in France (2026)

By

Maxime Roseau

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carte vitale

Healthcare

How to Set Up Healthcare in France as an American: CPAM, PUMa & the Carte Vitale (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Person working remotely on a laptop from a sunny Mediterranean balcony

Work & Business

Can You Work Remotely in France on a Visitor Visa? What's Actually Legal

By

Maxime Roseau

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man using smartphone on chair illustrating a micro entrepreneur

Work & Business

How to Register as a Micro-Entrepreneur in France as an American: URSSAF, SIRET Number, and Your First Social Contributions

By

Maxime Roseau

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french passeport on a map with an eiffel tower illustrating the passeport talent

Visa & Legal Status

The Passeport Talent Visa for Americans: Who Qualifies and How to Apply as a Researcher, Investor, or Senior Executive

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Aerial view of a shipping container port, illustrating international moving logistics from the US to France

First Steps

How to Ship Your Belongings from the US to France: Costs, Customs and Moving Companies (2026)

By

Maxime Roseau

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People walk past a departure board in an airport illustrating the pre departure checklist

First Steps

The 90-Day Pre-Departure Checklist for Americans Moving to France: Everything to Handle Before You Leave the US

By

Maxime Roseau

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Children studying in a classroom, illustrating school enrollment for American expat kids in France

Education

How to Enroll Your Kids in French Public School as an American Expat (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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white printer paper in an enveloppe, illustrating the administrative address

Admin & Bureaucracy

How to Change Your Administrative Address After Moving Within France: What to Update and In What Order

By

Aurelio Maurici

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US tax documents including Form 1099 and tax statement, relevant for Americans filing taxes while living in France

US Taxes Abroad

US Taxes When You Live in France: FBAR, FATCA, Form 2555 and the Tax Treaty Explained

By

Aurelio Maurici

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ETIAS

Visa & Legal Status

ETIAS for Americans: What It Is, When It Starts and How to Apply (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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person in orange long sleeve shirt writing on white paper illustrating the creation of a SAS

Work & Business

How to Set Up a SARL or SAS in France as an American: When You Need a French Company and How to Register One

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Assurance maladie

Healthcare

How to Register with CPAM and Assurance Maladie as an American in France (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a man using a tablet illustrating the health insurance

Healthcare

Private Health Insurance in France Before CPAM: What Americans Need in Their First Three Months

By

Aurelio Maurici

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OFII

Visa & Legal Status

How to Complete Your OFII Validation After Landing in France (VLS-TS Guide)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Front sign with "Assurance Maladie" written on it

Healthcare

Your French Numéro de Sécurité Sociale: What the Provisional Number Means and How to Get Your Permanent One

By

Aurelio Maurici

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assorted-color color pencils in a classroom

Education

How French Schools Support Non-French-Speaking Expat Children: CASNAV, UPE2A Classes, and What to Expect

By

Aurelio Maurici

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orange and white medication pill illustrating prescriptions

Healthcare

Bringing US Prescription Medications to France: What's Allowed, What's Controlled, and How to Keep Your Treatment Going

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Personal banking sign on a bank branch facade

Banking & Finance

What Happens to Your Fidelity or Schwab Account When You Move to France?

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a group of students in a classroom in France

Education

French Public School vs. International School in France: How American Families Should Decide

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Plant growing from a glass of coins, symbolizing financial planning for Americans in France

Banking & Finance

Best French Bank Accounts for Americans in 2026: FATCA-Friendly Options, Tested and Compared

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a bank sign lit up in the dark, illustrating RIB, IBAN, Prélèvement Automatique, and Cheques

Banking & Finance

How French Payments Work: RIB, IBAN, Prélèvement Automatique, and Cheques for American Expats

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a bridge over a river in Bordeaux

Housing & Renting

Renting in Bordeaux as an American: Best Neighborhoods, What the Market Costs in 2026, and How to Win a Lease

By

Maxime Roseau

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a stethoscope on top of a stack of money illustrating healthcare law in France

Healthcare

The 2026 PUMa Healthcare Contribution for Americans on a Visitor Visa in France: What LOI 2025-1403 Changed and How to Prepare

By

Aurelio Maurici

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URSSAF

US Taxes Abroad

Self-Employment Taxes for Americans Freelancing in France: What You Owe the US, What You Owe France, and How the Totalization Agreement Applies

By

Aurelio Maurici

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three crumpled yellow papers on green surface surrounded by yellow lined papers, lustrating French Language Requirements

Citizenship & Integration

French Language Requirements for Residency and Citizenship: The Official B1 Thresholds Explained for Americans

By

Aurelio Maurici

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two lounge chairs near swimming pool illustrating house buying

Housing & Renting

How to Buy Property in France as an American: Compromis de Vente, the Notaire's Role, and What to Report to the IRS

By

Maxime Roseau

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two children working at home illustrating homeschooling

Education

Is Homeschooling Legal in France? What American Families Need to Know (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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"vous venez d'acquérir la natioanlité française" card

Citizenship & Integration

Does France Have a Civic Exam for Naturalization? The French Citizenship Civic Assessment in 2026

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a person is writing on a piece of paper, illustrating US State Income Tax After Moving to France

US Taxes Abroad

US State Income Tax After Moving to France: How Americans Can Break State Tax Residency Before Leaving

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a button with a house sitting on top of a pile of money illustrating the cost of living in France

First Steps

How Much Does It Really Cost to Live in France as an American? Monthly Budget Breakdown by City and Lifestyle (2026)

By

Maxime Roseau

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coin bank illustrating the Livret A saving account

Banking & Finance

Can Americans in France Open a Livret A or PEL? French Savings Accounts, FBAR Implications, and What Expats Can Actually Access

By

Aurelio Maurici

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an aerial view of Lyon with the Rhone running through it

Housing & Renting

Renting in Lyon as an American: Best Neighborhoods, Realistic Budget, and How to Win the Apartment

By

Maxime Roseau

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Prefecture in France

Admin & Bureaucracy

How to Get a Prefecture Appointment in France When None Are Available: Every Strategy That Works

By

Aurelio Maurici

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French driver licence with car keys

Transport & Driving

What Americans from Non-Reciprocal States Must Do to Get a French Driver's License

By

Maxime Roseau

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A calculator, keychain, and house model on a table, illustrating the sale of a house

US Taxes Abroad

Selling Your US Home After Moving to France: Capital Gains, the Section 121 Exclusion, and What to Report

By

Aurelio Maurici

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persons holdings hands, illustrating the mental health support

Healthcare

Finding Mental Health Support in France as an American: English-Speaking Therapists, CPAM Reimbursement, and the MonSoutienPsy Program

By

Aurelio Maurici

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white vehicle headlight illustrating the car insurance

Transport & Driving

Car Insurance in France for Americans: How to Get Covered Without a French Driving History

By

Maxime Roseau

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a black van is parked on a dirt road illustrating the car registration in France

Transport & Driving

How to Buy and Register a Car in France as an American: Carte Grise, Contrôle Technique, and Getting Your Plates

By

Maxime Roseau

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a wall with inscruption "love is the only language i speak fluently", illustrating the english speaking person

Daily Life

Finding English-Speaking Lawyers, Doctors, Accountants, and Notaires in France as an American

By

Maxime Roseau

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view from an appartment in Paris illustrating renting in Paris

Housing & Renting

Renting in Paris as an American: Best Arrondissements, Realistic Budget, and How to Win a Lease in 2026

By

Maxime Roseau

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A car being towed on a flatbed truck illustration car import

Transport & Driving

Importing Your Car from the US to France: Homologation, Customs Duties, and Why Most Americans Choose Not To

By

Maxime Roseau

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blue, white, and red flag with pole, representing France

First Steps

How to Choose Where to Live in France as an American: Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, and Montpellier Compared

By

Maxime Roseau

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a visa on a table

Visa & Legal Status

How to Change Your Visa Status While Already in France as an American: Switching from Visitor to Another Category

By

Aurelio Maurici

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USA social security logo

US Taxes Abroad

US Social Security Benefits When Living in France: The Totalization Agreement Explained for American Retirees and Expats

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Person reviewing documents with calculator and laptop, illustrating the tax documents

US Taxes Abroad

How to Use the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) to Avoid Double Taxation as an American in France

By

Aurelio Maurici

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brown wooden hand tool on white printer paper illustrating the accommodation documents proof

Visa & Legal Status

How to Prove Accommodation for a France Long-Stay Visa When You Don't Have a Lease Yet

By

Aurelio Maurici

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french passport on a worldmap with a plane

Visa & Legal Status

How to Get a France Long-Stay Visa as an American: The Complete Guide to Getting Approved (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Senior couple laughing together at a Paris cafe terrace, illustrating retirement life in France

First Steps

How to Retire in France as an American: Visa, Healthcare, Taxes and a Practical Timeline (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a hand holding a passport over a map illustrating the remote work from France

Visa & Legal Status

Working Remotely on a French Student Visa: The 964-Hour Rule, US Employers, and Freelance Traps

By

Aurelio Maurici

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girl holding purple and green camera toy illustrating childcare

Education

Childcare in France for American Expat Families: Crèche, Assistante Maternelle, and How to Secure a Place Before Your Baby Arrives

By

Aurelio Maurici

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two passports illustrating the dual citizenship

Citizenship & Integration

Dual Citizenship France USA: The Complete Guide for Americans Who Naturalize French

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Lively French town square at dusk with a half-timbered medieval building and cafe terraces

First Steps

Moving to France as an American: Your Complete First-Month Checklist (In the Right Order)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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black android smartphone displaying a chart, illustrating a bank account

Banking & Finance

How to Prepare Your US Finances Before Moving to France: Accounts to Keep, Close, and Transfer

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Man in suit sitting on outdoor stairs looking down illustrating the Failed French Language Test for Citizenship

Citizenship & Integration

What Happens If You Fail the French Language Test for Citizenship? A Practical Recovery Guide

By

Aurelio Maurici

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rejrected stapm, illustrating the visa refusal

Visa & Legal Status

France Long-Stay Visa Denied: What Americans Should Do After a Refusal

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a wall with a french text on it, illustrating people speaking french

Daily Life

How Much French Do You Need to Move to France? Language Requirements for Your Visa, Renewals, and Daily Life

By

Maxime Roseau

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Narrow Parisian street with Haussmann-style apartment buildings and wrought iron balconies

Housing & Renting

How to Rent an Apartment in France as an American: The Step-by-Step Playbook (2026)

By

Maxime Roseau

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"no" wirtten on the floor, illustrating the french residency getting refused

Citizenship & Integration

Common Reasons French Residency Applications Are Rejected: A Diagnostic Guide for Americans

By

Aurelio Maurici

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TCF IRN official banner

Citizenship & Integration

Where to Take the TCF IRN in France: How to Find an Authorized Test Center and Register Step by Step

By

Aurelio Maurici

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selective focus photography of brown ladle with inscription "10" illustrating The 10-Year Carte de Résident for Americans in France

Citizenship & Integration

The 10-Year Carte de Résident for Americans in France: How to Apply and Why It Matters

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a pen sitting on top of a piece of paper illustrating the French Language Test Exemptions

Citizenship & Integration

French Language Test Exemptions for Residency and Citizenship: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

By

Aurelio Maurici

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person holding on red pen while writing on book, illustrating French Language Test s

Citizenship & Integration

TCF IRN vs DELF vs TEF Europe: Which French Language Test Should Americans Choose for Residency or Citizenship?

By

Aurelio Maurici

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TCF IRN

Citizenship & Integration

How to Prepare for the TCF IRN: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Americans

By

Aurelio Maurici

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A close up of a piece of paper on a table illustrating th Permanent Residency France

Citizenship & Integration

From VLS-TS to Permanent Residency in France: The Complete Year-by-Year Timeline for Americans

By

Aurelio Maurici

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A silhouette of people viewing a clock., illustrating the DELF and TFC result validity period

Citizenship & Integration

How Long Are DELF and TCF Results Valid for French Residency and Citizenship Applications?

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Aerial view of Paris rooftops with the Seine river and Grand Palais in the background

Housing & Renting

No French Guarantor? Here Are Your Real Options for Renting in France (2026)

By

Maxime Roseau

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french id card, illustrating The 10-Year Carte de Résident in France

Citizenship & Integration

The 10-Year Carte de Résident in France: What It Is, Who Qualifies, and How Americans Apply

By

Aurelio Maurici

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fruit stand on the street during daytime illustrating the French Citizenship

Citizenship & Integration

French Citizenship vs Permanent Residency: What Americans in France Need to Know Before Deciding

By

Aurelio Maurici

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person writing on white paper illustrating the French Level Needed for Citizenship in France

Citizenship & Integration

What French Level Do You Need for Citizenship in France? Understanding B1 and the Préfecture Naturalization Interview

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Carte de séjour lying on a french flag

Citizenship & Integration

Renewing Your Carte de Séjour on ANEF: The Step-by-Step Guide for Americans by Permit Type

By

Aurelio Maurici

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a person holding a business card in front of a pile of coins, illustrating a security deposit

Housing & Renting

How to Protect Your Security Deposit in France: The Complete Move-In Inspection Guide

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Scrabble tiles spelling SCAM, warning about rental scams in France

Housing & Renting

Rental Scams in France: Red Flags, Safe Payment Methods and What to Do If Something Feels Off

By

Maxime Roseau

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Société Générale bank branch in a Haussmann-style building in France

Banking & Finance

How to Open a Bank Account in France as an American: Documents, Proof of Address and Common Roadblocks (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Woman holding a smartphone, illustrating how to choose a French phone plan as an American

Daily Life

Best French Phone Plans for Americans: SIM, eSIM, Contracts and How to Cancel

By

Maxime Roseau

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a french flag flying in front of a stone arch

Citizenship & Integration

French Citizenship for Americans: The Complete Naturalization Guide (2026)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Classic white Parisian apartment building facade with mansard roof windows

Admin & Bureaucracy

Proof of Address in France: What Actually Works for Americans (Including When You're in Airbnb)

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Sailboats moored in the Vieux-Port of Marseille with historic buildings in the background

Housing & Renting

How to Move from Airbnb to a Long-Term Lease in France: A 7-Day Action Plan

By

Maxime Roseau

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Baroque facade of the Capitole de Toulouse with French and regional flags

Housing & Renting

Renting in Toulouse as an American: Best Neighborhoods, Realistic Budget and the Fastest Path to a Signed Lease

By

Maxime Roseau

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Flower shop and butcher on Rue Montorgueil in Paris, a typical French street market scene

Housing & Renting

How to Understand a French Lease as an American: Charges, Deposit, Notice Periods and Your Rights

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Panoramic view of a Mediterranean harbor with luxury yachts and rocky cliffs on the French Riviera

Housing & Renting

How to Move Out of an Apartment in France: Notice Letter, Inventory, Utilities and Getting Your Deposit Back

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Rounded corner of a Haussmann-style building with ornate wrought iron balconies in France

Housing & Renting

Renter's Insurance in France: What's Mandatory, What's Optional and How to Get Proof Fast

By

Aurelio Maurici

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Top-down view of a Parisian apartment entrance with white shutters and flower pots

Housing & Renting

How to Set Up Electricity, Gas and Water in France After Signing Your Lease (First 72 Hours)

By

Maxime Roseau

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Apple iMac desktop and MacBook on a home office desk

Housing & Renting

How to Get Internet in France: Fiber Installations, Delays and the Best Workarounds

By

Maxime Roseau

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