v256.0 · relocation checklist · IN → FR · verified 2026-04
India to France — relocation checklist
15-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Indian tech professional, researcher, or student on Passeport Talent or Long-Stay visa.
From
To
Total cost
EUR 6,000-20,000 — visa, deposits, shipping
Timeline
12-20 weeks pre-arrival, 6-10 weeks post-arrival
Typical profile for this pair
Indian tech professional, researcher, or student on Passeport Talent or Long-Stay visa
Step-by-step checklist (15 steps)
Pre-departure (14-20 weeks out)
- Choose visa — Passeport Talent (high-skilled, 4-year multi-entry, multiple categories), Long-Stay Visa, ICT (Intra-Company Transfer), Student
Pre-departure (12-14 weeks out)
Pre-departure (8-12 weeks out)
- PCC + MEA apostille; attested educational certificates; medical insurance proof
Pre-departure (6-10 weeks out)
- French language (A1/A2 helpful, not mandatory for Passeport Talent; required for citizenship)
Pre-departure (4-8 weeks out)
- Tax planning — IT-30; LRS USD 250K/year strategy
Pre-departure (4-6 weeks out)
- Housing — SeLoger, LeBonCoin, PAP; Paris 1BR â¬1,200-2,500/month; Lyon/Toulouse lower; garant français often required
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Ship sea freight Mumbai/Chennai to Le Havre/Marseille 28-35 days, EUR 3,500-8,000 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — EU Pet Passport via Indian government-authorized vet; microchip + rabies
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- OFII (Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration) appointment within 3 months — visa-validation form online; biometrics
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Open French bank — BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, La Banque Postale; or N26, Boursorama (online)
Arrival (Week 2-4)
- Long-term housing — Caution (1-3 months rent) + garant required typically
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- PUMa (Protection Universelle Maladie) registration after 3 months residence — automatic health coverage via Sécu
Arrival (Month 2)
- Mutuelle (complementary health) — employer typically provides; if not, EUR 30-100/month
Arrival (Month 3-6)
- Indian ITR partial year; French Impôt sur le Revenu (DGFiP) due May-June
Ongoing
- Carte de résident (10-year card) after 5 years; French citizenship after 5 years (2 years with Master's from French university)
Cost breakdown
| Passeport Talent visa | EUR 99-260 |
| OFII tax stamp | EUR 200 |
| PCC + MEA apostille | INR 5,000-15,000 |
| Health insurance | Sécu after 3 months; private bridge EUR 100-300/month |
| First month rent + 1-3 month caution (Paris 1BR) | EUR 2,400-10,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | EUR 3,500-8,000 |
| Pet relocation | USD 800-2,000 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- PUMa requires 3 months of residence before automatic Sécu access
- Garant français often required for rental contracts (chicken-and-egg for new arrivals)
- French language helpful, B1 level required for citizenship
- India-France DTAA (1992) prevents double taxation
- Tax classes (parts) based on family — Quotient familial advantage for families
- Visa long stay = de facto resident permit (VLS-TS) for first year
Official sources
- France-Visas — https://france-visas.gouv.fr/
- OFII — https://www.ofii.fr/
See also: India profile · France profile · all relocation checklists · France healthcare
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.