Moving From Ireland To France – Where Do You Start?
Moving From Ireland To France – Where Do You Start?
So, you are considering the option of moving from Ireland to France, what’s next, where do you start? Keep on reading, we have many years of experience moving Irish people to France and we are very happy to share our knowledge and experience with you.
The Irish have never been ones to let vast bodies of water prevent them from seeking opportunity. For centuries, enterprising Irish immigrants have bid a fond farewell to the old country and seek their fortune in new climes all over the world. This “Irish diaspora” has long been observed in relation to moving to the UK and US, but what about mainland Europe? After all, the notion of creating a new life for yourself in a far-flung land is inherently romantic. And where else in the world does romance like the French?
If you plan to move to France with your new job, or simply to start a new life for yourself, the notion of moving to an unfamiliar country may seem daunting. That’s why we’re going to help make it easy with this essential guide for Irish citizens thinking of moving from Ireland to France.
Here’s the thing – France isn’t the first country that comes to mind when one thinks about Irish immigration. Over the years, the Irish have been moving to Boston, London, Sydney and Toronto. However, France has much to offer. It provides a work-life balance where lunch breaks are sacred, and weekends are devoted to leisurely strolls through the markets, beach days and dinners with your friends. If you’re thinking about moving from Ireland to France, know that you are not alone. Every year, more and more Irish choose France because of its culture, weather and quality of life which is unlike any other.
Why the Irish love France
There are many reasons why Irish citizens may choose to start a new life in France. According to a report by Irish-French academic Grainne O’Keeffe-Vigneron and detailed here in The Irish Times, there are many reasons why Irish immigrants are drawn to France.
These range from a simple desire to immerse themselves in a new culture to learning new language skills, improving work/life balance or simply to follow a French citizen with whom they’ve fallen in love.
And it’s easy to see why the French way of life would appeal to many industrious, hard-working Irish professionals. France isn’t just the Eurozone’s second-largest economy, it’s also a thriving hub of cuisine, culture, and couture. Delectable food, fabulous beaches, a healthier and more outdoorsy way of life… the appeal is obvious!
France is the last place people consider when thinking about Irish emigration. For many years now, the Irish have been going to Boston, London, Sydney and Toronto. Yet, there is much more to France than most people realize. France provides a perfect balance between working and having fun, where you can enjoy your lunch break and spend the weekend at the beach or in the company of friends and food. You are not alone if you are considering moving to France from Ireland. There are many other Irish people who choose France every year because of its culture, weather and overall way of life which is difficult to find elsewhere.
Do I need a Visa Moving from Ireland to France?
Irish citizens should be concerned about whether they will need a Visa to move to France, but if you happen to be an Irish citizen living in the Republic of Ireland, then you are still within the EU, which allows you freedom of movement.
Thus, you are free to remain in France and work there as long as you wish without having to inform the French government about your presence there. Irish citizens residing in France are even eligible to vote in certain elections.
Northern Irish citizens may find that Brexit has muddied the waters somewhat but under the Good Friday Agreement Northern Irish citizens can choose Irish citizenship, British citizenship or both. Thus, if you have an Irish passport, this will likely be all you need to live and work in France.
Although the visa process is simple for those with Irish passports, there are some additional formalities that you have to go through when you get there. You may be required to register at the local authorities’ office, get a social security number, and open a bank account in France. These tasks are not challenging, but they can be time-consuming. The French administrative procedures are well known for their thoroughness, so it is important that you are ready for some paperwork and multiple visits to different offices. When you are employed by a French company, your company will usually help you with these tasks. If you work on your own or retired, you will probably have to deal with this yourself. But you cannot avoid it!
Finding your people
Wherever they’ve settled all around the world, the Irish have been known to form closely-knit communities. Unfortunately, Irish settlers in many countries like England, The United States, Canada, and Australia were met with persecution (if not outright racism) and found door after door shut in their faces.
In their communities, Irish immigrants found guidance and solace. While Irish immigrants have to contend with far less racism in this day and age, it’s understandable that they might want to find a new home where they’ll find plenty of their people, especially when everyone else speaks an unfamiliar language.
While Irish immigration to France is certainly less common than immigration to other English speaking countries (France’s Irish-born population is estimated to be somewhere between 20,000 and 24,000), the Irish have actually been moving to France for many centuries. Irish immigrants in France tend to have an older immigration profile (predominantly in their 30s and 40s) and tend to be skilled professionals.
So, where does a new immigrant find these educated, convivial professionals? You’ll find that many Irish communities are in and around Paris (the area known as Ile de France) but that shouldn’t stop you from looking for communities and opportunities in other major conurbations like Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, and Bordeaux.
Wherever they’ve settled, Irish communities have historically been very helpful in helping new immigrants to orient themselves, even helping them to know where to look for housing and employment opportunities.
If you’re feeling insecure about the idea of moving to France, finding your fellow countrymen should be a priority.
There are practical ways to connect before you even leave Ireland. Social media groups for Irish people in France are active and welcoming. The Irish Embassy in Paris also runs events and can provide advice for new arrivals. Organisations like the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris offer a home away from home, with events, classes and social gatherings throughout the year. If you are moving with children, look for Irish or international schools in your area. They provide a familiar curriculum and a ready-made community of families in similar situations. Finding your people does not happen overnight, but it starts with a little effort. Before long, you will have a network of friends who understand exactly what you are going through.
Brush up on your French!
Many of the French do speak English, but in our experience, they much prefer not to. Parisians, in particular, are notorious for their lack of patience with non-French speakers.
While many immigrants can and do lead happy lives in France with only a smattering of French, no matter what the nature of your job we advise brushing up on your new home’s native tongue.
Not only will it help you to make new friends among locals faster, but it will also make workplace relationships far more harmonious and drastically improve your chances of finding gainful employment.
While you have the rest of your life to learn the nuances of the French language, the sooner you can make a start, the better you’ll feel about being able to integrate seamlessly.
Do not be dismayed if you think your progress is happening too slowly. French is not an easy language to learn, especially for English speakers, but it is one of the most rewarding ones. Having even a rudimentary knowledge will change everything for you. People in shops will be nicer to you. Your neighbours will be more open-minded. Colleagues will invite you to their conversation circles. Download one of the apps available such as Duolingo or Babbel, start learning the language while still in Ireland, and then take classes locally when you arrive there. Speaking groups will help you to practice. Your hard work will certainly be rewarded many times over.
Before moving from Ireland to France decide what needs to go and what needs to stay
One of your final challenges will be to go through your home taking stock of your belongings and deciding what to take with you and what to leave. As well as deciding on which belongings will come to France with you, you’ll need to decide what to do with the items that you leave behind.
Will you keep them in storage to await your possible return? Will you sell them or give them away? The choice is yours but take your time making it.
Decluttering is not just about logistics. It is also about closure. Going through your belongings forces you to confront the life you are leaving behind and decide what you want to carry forward. Some items will be easy to let go of. Others will be harder. Give yourself time. Start months in advance if you can, going room by room. Sell what you can, donate what you cannot, and store anything you are not ready to part with. If you are unsure whether to ship something, ask yourself three questions. Will I need it in the first six months? Can I replace it easily in France? Is it worth the cost of shipping? If the answer to the first is no and the second is yes, leave it behind. Trust your instincts and do not let sentiment overwhelm practicality.
How we can help
As a highly experienced relocation company, we can assist you with every aspect of your move from the emerald isle to France. We offer a range of services for domestic and business moves including Visa & Immigration, Baggage Services, and Removals Services.
If you need to keep some of your stuff in storage, have no fear, we can help with that, too! And don’t forget to use our free contents calculator to make it easy to calculate the cost of moving your most treasured belongings and furniture.
RAS Removals Group is a certified member of the I.A.M. (International Association of Movers). As well as being an Irish company, we have been providing our services in Ireland for close to 30 years. We have assisted many individuals and corporate organizations in their move from Ireland to France and many other countries. Our clients range from government organizations, corporate institutions to individual people who expect nothing but the best. In case you are relocating from Ireland to France for any reason; be it for work, retirement or new beginnings, we offer you all assistance from packing and arranging documents, through shipping to final delivery.
We make moving from Ireland to France tres facile!