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25/11/2025

🚗 Moving to France with a non-EU licence?

Here’s how to exchange your current licence to a French one!

To begin, make sure France has a licence exchange agreement with the country that issued your licence before starting the process.

If there is an agreement, you must apply for the exchange within 12 months of your arrival in France, via the official government website ANTS.

📄 Documents Needed:
✔ Valid driving licence
✔ Passport / ID
✔ Proof of legal residence in France
✔ Proof of address in France
✔ Certified translation of driving licence
✔ Driving record from home country
✔ E-photo

After applying, print or save the confirmation/attestation, so you can drive legally while waiting for your exchange.

⚠️ If you apply after 12 months, you may be required to take the French driving test (theory + practical)!!

💡 Start EARLY — processing can take months!

For more help and advice, send us a DM or email us at asktheexpatgirls@gmail.com

23/11/2025

Good news for expats in France! 🇫🇷

The carte vitale has become digitalised! No more worrying about forgetting the card at home!

What is it?
It’s a smartphone version of your Carte Vitale, available directly through the official app “Carte Vitale”.

Who can get it?
If you’re registered within the French social security system & have a physical Carte Vitale, you are eligible.

Why it’s great for expats:
✔️ No more losing or forgetting your card
✔️ Faster than waiting for a replacement physical card and works even while your physical card is being updated

How to get it:
1. Download the “Carte Vitale” app
2. Log in with FranceConnect (Ameli, Impôts, etc.)
3. Verify your ID
4. Activate your digital card

⚠️ It is not mandatory, you can continue to use your physical card!

For more information, send us a DM or email us at asktheexpatgirls@gmail.com

22/11/2025

🇫🇷🇫🇷Preparing for your French citizenship interview at the Prefecture?

💡 Here are some tips!

1️⃣ Download and read the Livret de Citoyen.

This should be your main point of reference when preparing for your interview at the Prefecture. It will indicate the important dates in French history, it outlines key French geographical facts, it lists important French figures, and explains French values. Read it in full and learn it by heart!

2️⃣ Make sure you’re up to date with current affairs and politics in France and Europe

You may be questioned about the last or the next election - in France or in Europe, or you might be asked to talk about recent political events happening in France. Read the papers, make sure you know what’s going on in French politics, learn the names of local and national politicians. Be prepared to talk about it if questioned.

3️⃣ Don’t just learn facts!

Whilst it is recommended to learn important historical dates and facts in France, you may also be asked your opinion on things! Think about what you’re reading and learning and develop your opinion on the different subjects. They want to see that you are invested and have personal opinions about what’s going on in France.

4️⃣ Be prepared to talk about how you’ve integrated into France

This is arguably the most important part of your interview. You need to be able to demonstrate how you’ve fully integrated into French life, and how you interact with French culture. Practice talking about this, show them how France can benefit from having you as one of their citizens! 😊🧑‍🎨

Good luck! 🤞🏻 🇫🇷⚜️

20/11/2025

❓What is an Avis d’impôt? ❓

🇫🇷 Whenever you’re purchasing or renting a property, or if you’re borrowing money or setting up a payment plan, you most likely will be asked to provide your last 3 Avis d’impôts.

💡 So what is it?

🇫🇷 An Avis d’impôt is your tax declaration for the year. It is a summary of your income over the last year, what your taxable income is and what is deductible. It summarises how much tax you will pay, or any reimbursements you may receive.

It basically acts as insurance that you can afford whatever you are buying or renting or borrowing!

🇫🇷 You can find your Avis d’impôts in your online account on the impots.gouv.fr website. You can download these documents or print them if you need a hard copy. If you don’t have an online account you can request for a hard copy to be sent to you.

Et voilà!

19/11/2025

S1 Form – Everything You Need to Know!

Thanks to the S1 form, certain expats can access healthcare in France, without having to pay into the French system.

🧾 What is it? A certificate proving that your home country covers your healthcare while you live in another EU/EEA country, or the UK post-Brexit.

🌍 Who it’s for? Anyone whose healthcare costs are covered by another country. Not all expats are eligible, it is only available under certain circumstances, such as retirees, cross border workers and posted workers

🏥 What it does! It lets you access French state healthcare (CPAM) just like a French resident but without paying the extra social security contributions.

⚠️ Important to note: If your circumstances change (e.g., you start working in France), your S1 may no longer be valid, and you would then switch to the French system.

For more information, help or advice, send us a DM or email us at asktheexpatgirls@gmail.com

17/11/2025

🇫🇷 What is an E-Photo in France & when do you need one?

If you’re doing ANY French admin online, you’ve probably seen “photo-signature numérique”… here’s what it actually means:

📸 An e-photo is a digital ID photo + your digital signature. It looks similar to standard passport photos but it comes with a 22-character code that the government uses to pull your official photo directly into your online application.

You can have these taken in any approved Photomaton, by a certified photographer or by using certified apps available to download for free.

🧾 Where you’ll use it:
✔️ Driver’s licence (permis de conduire)
✔️ Residence permits (titre de séjour)
✔️ DCEM & some documents for minors
✔️ French citizenship application
✔️ Any ANTS/ANEF procedure asking for a digital photo-signature

⚠️ FYI : The code is single-use, one code per application and it is valid for 6 months.

For any help or advice, send us a DM or email us directly at asktheexpatgirls@gmail.com

16/11/2025

❓Do you have a French parent but were born, and lived your whole life, outside of France, and are wondering if you’re eligible to apply for a French passport?

💡The short answer is YES!

If one of your parents was French at the time of your birth then you are technically eligible to apply for a French passport! 🥳🇫🇷

The process is complicated but can be done! Contact your local French embassy or consulate for more details, and if it seems too difficult then you know what else you can do?… Ask the Expat Girls! 😊

15/11/2025

🇫🇷 Is your visa appointment coming up? 🇫🇷

Here are some tips to make sure you’re fully prepared:

1️⃣ Make sure your dossier is in order

If you hand the person dealing with your application a big pile of messy papers, with no clear indication of where everything is, you risk that this person will simply give up and refuse your visa application. Make sure everything is in order and clearly labelled, and easy to filter through. If your application is well organised it’ll help the person dealing with it process it, which is always a good thing!

2️⃣ Bring with ALL required information

Make sure you have all the information requested with you, as if something is missing it could result in your application being rejected. Don’t take that risk. It’s especially important to demonstrate proof that you have the minimum funds required, as well as proof of fully comprehensive health insurance.

3️⃣ Be on time!

If you’re late for your appointment you may miss it. If you miss it, you will have to book another appointment (often with a delay), and pay the appointment fee again. Get there early so that you’re able to go through security and to the correct waiting area before your appointment time.

Good luck! 🤞🏻 🇫🇷

12/11/2025

🇫🇷 How long does a French citizenship application take? 🕰️

You’ve submitted your application… now comes the waiting game!

📬 Average processing time (naturalisation by residency):
- Around 18 to 36 months, sometimes longer depending on your préfecture.

⚙️ What happens during that time:
- File completeness check
- Background + residence verification
- Interview
- Final decision & decree publication

💡 Pro tip: Keep documents (proof of address, payslips, tax returns) updated — authorities often ask for recent copies before final approval.

✨ Other paths can be faster:
💍 By marriage — usually 12 to 18 months after applying (as long as you’ve been married for at least 4 years).
👶 By descent — can be much quicker, often a few months, since it’s a recognition of existing nationality, not a new naturalisation.

🎉 Once approved, you’ll receive your décret de naturalisation and can apply for your French passport and national ID card. Bienvenue dans la famille française! 🥐🇫🇷

How long have you been waiting (or planning to apply)? Share your experience below 👇

10/11/2025

🇫🇷 Changing long term visas - can it be done? 🇫🇷

❓ A lot of clients ask us if it’s possible to change a long term Visitor visa to a working visa.

💡 The short answer is: Yes.
It is possible to change a long term visitor visa to a working visa, however it is not a simple process! It is basically like applying for a brand new visa.

You would have to prove one of the following:

1️⃣ You have a job offer with a fixed contract (a CDI) and that the hours will lead to you being paid at least the French minimum wage per annum.

2️⃣ You have a business plan demonstrating the potential of job creation in France, and proof of prospective clients that are committed to engage in your services. You will also need a minimum investment amount (which varies from sector to sector).

3️⃣ You are a well known artist or creative professional, with evidence of your creative work, and proof of your public recognition (such as awards or exhibitions).

4️⃣ You have been invited by a French recognised institution or university to conduct research. You will need to have a doctorate or equivalent expertise in the relevant field.

In sum, YES it is possible to change visas to a working visa but NO it isn’t easy! However if you think you have the proof required to change then go for it. We are here to help you with this process!

09/11/2025

🇫🇷🇫🇷 Once you’ve made the big move to France, there is so much that needs to get done once you’re here.

You’ll need to open a bank account, set up utility bills, learn the language, help the kids settle in, it’s a lot to think about! However there’s one thing you mustn’t forget to do…

🇫🇷VALIDATE YOUR VISA!!🇫🇷

This is the first thing you should do once arriving here, as it secures your - and your family’s- stay in France. This should be number one on your to-do list!

If it’s all too overwhelming, we can happily help you with this! You can always - Ask the Expat Girls! ⚜️👯‍♀️

08/11/2025

🇫🇷✨ What’s the OFII Medical Exam?

If you have a long-stay French visa (VLS-TS), you might need to complete the OFII medical exam — it’s what officially validates your visa as a residence permit! 🇫🇷

🩺 What is it?
The exam usually includes:
• Chest X-ray (to check for tuberculosis)
• Basic health questions
• Possible check of vaccines or other documents

📅 When?
Within 3 months of arriving — after validating your visa online.

📧 Important:
Not everyone gets an email from OFII to attend. If you don’t receive an email, don’t panic, not all long term visa holders do. But do double check your spam and junk email to make sure!

For any help or advice, send us a DM or email is at asktheexpatgirls@gmail.com

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