Moving to a new country in search of work and better opportunities? Relocating can be both exciting and scary, but being prepared for what to expect is a good way to get yourself grounded somewhere new. Rewire’s relocation guides are meant to help you with the essential information you’ll need to get started in a new country.
France: Quick Facts for Migrants from The Philippines
- Population: 67 million
- Capital: Paris
- Main language: French
- Emergency phone numbers: 112
- Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz
- Currency: Euro
- Euro to Philippine Peso: 1 Euro = ~57 PHP
- Embassy: 45 rue de Ranelagh, 4 Ham. de Boulainvilliers, Paris; https://parispe.dfa.gov.ph/
Finding an Apartment in France
Expats claim that the apartment search in France is a little more challenging than in other European countries. For starters, you usually won’t be able to begin your search from The Philippines since landlords will want to meet you first. Also, you’ll need to have a French bank account in order to apply for most places. It’s worth reaching out to the Filipino community in France to see how they’ve managed their move and financial management. You’ll also need other paperwork, like a passport or ID, a copy of your visa, and you could be asked for other documents like a marriage certificate, tax return, bank statements, or proof of employment.
Once you’ve opened a bank account and you’re ready to begin the search, there are some websites you can use to get started:
When searching for a budget, make sure you’re not looking outside your budget. You may need to look for a place outside the city center or even in a nearby city if larger urban areas like Paris are too expensive. Check out our budgeting for migrants series to learn what goes into a budget so that you can create your own and find out how much you have to spend on an apartment.
Finding a Job in France
You definitely want to try and learn the basics of French when relocating to France. Business owners will appreciate it if you make an effort to expand your language skills and speak to them in French, and if you work with clients, then it’s almost a necessity. Overcoming language barriers can be difficult, but it’s helpful to pick up some basic French to help your job search. You can also reach out to other migrants in your community to ask how they found their jobs or inquire if they know of anyone hiring. Once you’re ready to start applying, here are a few websites you can use to search for work:
- Indeed – find jobs throughout France
- Expatica – job board specifically for expats
- Le Local – jobs posted in English
- Momji – teaching and child care jobs
- Jobs in Paris – jobs throughout France posted in English
Transportation in France
France has a lot of transportation options, so whether you’re looking to commute to work or move between cities, there are a lot of ways to get around. For starters, the bus, metro, and tram systems make it easy to get around larger cities. There are coach buses and high-speed trains too to take you between cities if you want to explore or visit another area of the country. Just be sure to always validate your ticket wherever necessary, such as on buses and trams, in order to avoid fines.
Send Money to The Philippines From France
Sending money home is a priority for most Filipino migrants, and while many of them turn to banks or transfer bureaus, you can make your life easier by using online money transfer services. Rewire helps Filipinos with online banking services for migrants so that they can send money home quickly and securely without incurring high fees. There are also other perks to using Rewire, such as having the option of getting your own debit card and opening a Euro IBAN accoun, which is helpful to have in case you run into trouble opening a bank account in France in order to apply for an apartment.
Searching for more ways to help manage your finances abroad? We’ve got some tips for managing your money in France for migrants.
To Wrap Up
Moving to France might come with its challenges, but if you know what you’re getting yourself into, then that’s already a good first step in easing into the relocation. The best thing you can do is surround yourself with other migrants in order to create a strong support system of people who have already been through relocation themselves and can offer you tips on getting settled in a new country.
