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Retiring to France from the United States

  • Writer: A New Life
    A New Life
  • 3 hours ago
  • 3 min read

Your Step-by-Step Checklist (Comprehensive, Practical & US-Specific)


This checklist follows the full journey from early planning → visa → move → healthcare → tax → ongoing life, tailored specifically for American retirees (including dual US–France tax obligations and no S1 system).



PHASE 1 — EARLY PLANNING (6–18 MONTHS BEFORE MOVE)


Lifestyle & Location Decisions

☐ Decide full-time move or part-year living ☐ Identify preferred regions (cost of living, climate, access to airports) ☐ Visit shortlisted areas (ideally multiple times of year) ☐ Test daily life (groceries, healthcare access, transport, pace of life)


Financial Planning & Budgeting

☐ Calculate total retirement income (USD):

  • Social Security

  • 401(k) / IRA withdrawals

  • Pension income

  • Investment income


☐ Convert into EUR equivalent (stress test exchange rates) ☐ Build a monthly France budget:

  • Housing

  • Utilities

  • Healthcare

  • Insurance

  • Food & lifestyle


☐ Set contingency fund (6–12 months recommended) ☐ Create a currency strategy (USD → EUR transfers, FX provider)


Pension & Investment Review (CRITICAL FOR US CITIZENS)

☐ List all accounts:

  • 401(k)

  • Traditional IRA

  • Roth IRA

  • Brokerage accounts

  • Annuities


☐ Understand:

  • Tax treatment in France (often different to US)

  • Withdrawal strategy (timing + tax impact)


☐ Review Roth IRA treatment (not always tax-free in France)

☐ Review capital gains exposure

☐ Consider pre-move restructuring if needed

☐ Engage a US–France cross-border financial adviser


Tax Planning (Pre-Move)

☐ Understand dual tax system (US + France) ☐ Review US–France double taxation treaty ☐ Plan timing of:

  • Large withdrawals

  • Asset sales

☐ Understand:

  • Foreign tax credits

  • Potential double reporting

☐ Prepare for:

  • IRS filings (ongoing)

  • French tax residency



PHASE 2 — VISA & ENTRY (3–6 MONTHS BEFORE MOVE)


Visa Application (Most Common Route)

☐ Apply for VLS-TS Visitor Visa (Long-Stay)

☐ Prepare required documents:

  • Valid passport

  • Proof of financial resources

  • Proof of accommodation

  • Private health insurance (mandatory)

  • Written declaration not to work


☐ Book and attend visa appointment ☐ Submit biometrics and documents ☐ Receive visa approval


Accommodation Planning

☐ Decide:

  • Rent initially (recommended for most) OR

  • Purchase property


☐ Secure:

  • Rental agreement OR

  • Property purchase plan


☐ Arrange comprehensive private health insurance ☐ Understand:

  • No S1 system for US citizens

  • You must self-fund initial healthcare


☐ Prepare documents for later French healthcare application (PUMA)



PHASE 3 — THE MOVE (0–3 MONTHS)


Arrival in France

☐ Enter France using your visa ☐ Validate visa online within 3 months ☐ Keep confirmation of validation


Settling In

☐ Open French bank account ☐ Set up utilities:

  • Electricity

  • Water

  • Internet

☐ Arrange:

  • Home insurance (mandatory)

  • Vehicle insurance (if applicable)


Local Setup

☐ Register with local mairie (town hall) ☐ Arrange:

  • Waste collection

  • Local services



PHASE 4 — HEALTHCARE (FIRST 3–12 MONTHS)


Initial Period (Private Insurance)

☐ Maintain private healthcare cover

☐ Track residency timeline


Applying to French Healthcare System (PUMA)

☐ Apply to CPAM after establishing residency

☐ Provide:

  • Proof of residence

  • Visa validation

  • Identity documents

☐ Receive:

  • Social security number

  • Attestation de droits

☐ Apply for Carte Vitale


Additional Cover

☐ Take out mutuelle (top-up insurance) ☐ Register with:

  • Local GP (médecin traitant)

  • Dentist

  • Pharmacy



PHASE 5 — TAX & FINANCIAL SETUP (FIRST YEAR)


French Tax Residency

☐ Confirm residency status (likely year 1) ☐ Register with French tax office


First French Tax Return

☐ File first return (often paper-based initially) ☐ Declare:

  • Social Security

  • Pension withdrawals

  • Investment income

  • Rental income


☐ Complete forms:

  • 2042 (main return)

  • 2047 (foreign income)


Foreign Asset Reporting (FRANCE)

☐ Declare ALL non-French accounts:

  • US bank accounts

  • Brokerage accounts

  • Retirement accounts (if applicable)

☐ Submit Form 3916 / 3916 bis


US TAX OBLIGATIONS (ONGOING)

☐ File annual US tax return (IRS) ☐ Declare worldwide income

☐ Complete:

  • FBAR (FinCEN 114) if required

  • FATCA (Form 8938 if applicable)


☐ Apply:

  • Foreign Tax Credits

  • Treaty provisions



PHASE 6 — PROPERTY & LIVING COSTS


Property Purchase (If Buying)

☐ Sign Compromis de Vente ☐ Complete Acte de Vente

☐ Set up:

  • Taxe Foncière

  • Local property taxes


Running Costs

☐ Budget for:

  • Utilities

  • Maintenance

  • Insurance

  • Property taxes



PHASE 7 — ONGOING LIFE IN FRANCE (YEAR 1+)


Annual Admin Cycle

☐ File:

  • French tax return

  • US tax return


☐ Renew:

  • Health insurance / mutuelle

  • Property insurance


Financial Reviews

☐ Monitor:

  • USD/EUR exchange rates

  • Withdrawal strategy

☐ Adjust income timing if needed


Healthcare

☐ Maintain Carte Vitale

☐ Update CPAM if circumstances change


Residency Progression

☐ Renew residence after first year

☐ Progress toward:

  • Multi-year residency

  • Permanent residency (5 years)



⚠️ COMMON PITFALLS FOR US RETIREES

☐ Assuming US tax obligations stop (they don’t)

☐ Not planning for dual tax reporting

☐ Assuming Roth accounts remain tax-free in France

☐ Underestimating healthcare transition period

☐ Ignoring foreign account reporting requirements

☐ Not planning for exchange rate fluctuations

☐ Taking withdrawals without cross-border tax planning



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