Frequently asked
Settling on the Côte d'Azur
The short answers, the ones we give on the phone. To go further, the roadmap details every step.
- Do I need a visa to settle here?
- Outside the European Union, yes: the long-stay visa is requested from your own country, before you leave. Allow two to three months.
- When do I become a tax resident?
- As soon as your home or main activity is in France. This is decided before you arrive, not after.
- Can I buy without being a resident?
- Yes, with no nationality restriction. Financing, however, depends on your country of residence.
- How long does a purchase take?
- Around three months between the accepted offer and the signature at the notaire.
- What costs are added to the price?
- Around 7 to 8% in notaire fees on existing homes, then property tax and annual charges.
- Which area suits a family?
- The school often decides the area: start with the school, then look at the homes around it.
- Are international schools available?
- Yes, from Mougins to Nice and Monaco. Places are taken early, often a year ahead.
- What about healthcare?
- You apply for cover as soon as you settle, with a top-up insurance alongside.
- Do I need a French bank account?
- Yes, for charges, school, craftsmen and financing.
- Can I rent before buying?
- Often the best idea: one season here is worth every viewing.
- Is a mooring easy to find?
- Annual berths are handed down. We prepare this at the same time as the boat.
- Who finds trusted craftsmen?
- We do, from a deliberately short address book, kept up to date project after project.