Krakow's Main Market Square at night with the Cloth Hall lit up
Guide Poland → France · moving · checked 1 Nov 2026

Moving from Poland to France

A plain checklist: what to sort before you go, and your first weeks in France.

Photo: Pexels
First, the good news

No visa, inside the EU

Poland and France are both in the EU, so you can live and work in France without a visa or work permit. A valid ID card or passport is enough.

Good news: France has no address registration, and EU citizens need no residence card. The key step is health insurance: register with Assurance Maladie (Ameli) and you get a Carte Vitale.

Before you go

Your checklist in Poland

  1. A valid ID card or passport.
  2. Documents in one folder: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, work references, driving licence.
  3. Money for the start: a deposit (at most 1 month's rent unfurnished, 2 furnished), the first rent and a few weeks of living costs.
  4. Tell your Polish bank you are moving and keep the app working, so you can pay bills at home.
  5. Set up Polish TV before you go, so it works from day one (how to watch Polish TV in France).
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Day one in France

Polish TV, ready from day one

The first weeks abroad are the hardest. The news from home, your series and the kids' cartoons in Polish make the new flat feel like home faster.

How to watch Polish TV in France →
Advertisement: almost 400 Polish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Your first weeks

Your checklist in France

  1. Health insurance: register with Assurance Maladie (Ameli); you get a Carte Vitale.
  2. Bank account: everyone in France has a right to a bank account.
  3. Housing help: depending on your situation you can apply to the CAF.
  4. TV fee: France has none since 2022.
  5. Driving: a Polish licence is valid in France.
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do I need a visa to work in France?

No. As an EU citizen you can live and work in France without a visa or work permit.

Do I have to register my address in France?

No. France has no address registration, and EU citizens need no residence card.

How big is a rent deposit in France?

At most 1 month's rent unfurnished and 2 months furnished (without charges).

Can I watch Polish TV in France?

Yes. Our Polish TV in France guide shows every option, from the free TVP Polonia channel to all-in-one subscriptions.

More for Polish people in France

Guides for you

Polish TV in FranceEvery Polish channel, live, and how the official apps compare.The Polish community in FranceHow many, where people live, Polish Mass and schools, and where people meet online.Moving from Poland to FranceA plain checklist: before you go and your first weeks.
Sources