Paris needs little introduction. The world’s most visited city, a global centre for culture, fashion, gastronomy, finance and diplomacy — Paris attracts UK nationals for an almost endless range of reasons. Whether you are relocating for work, following a French partner, pursuing a creative career or simply choosing the most beautiful city in Europe as your base, this guide covers the practical realities of making Paris your home.
Why UK Nationals Move to Paris
- Culture and lifestyle — Paris offers a quality of life and cultural richness that is difficult to match anywhere in the world. World-class museums, restaurants, architecture, fashion and a café on every corner
- Business hub — Paris is France’s economic capital and a major European centre for finance, consulting, luxury goods, media, tech and professional services. Many companies post-Brexit relocated European headquarters to Paris
- Post-Brexit European base — for UK nationals who need EU market access, Paris has become one of the main relocation choices alongside Amsterdam, Dublin and Frankfurt
- Proximity to London — 2 hours 15 minutes by Eurostar from London St Pancras. One of the closest major European cities to London
Paris Arrondissements: Where to Live
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, arranged in a clockwise spiral from the centre.
1st–4th (Central / Marais) — Historic heart of Paris. Beautiful, central, very expensive. Le Marais (3rd/4th) is particularly popular with younger professionals and the LGBTQ+ community.
5th–6th (Latin Quarter / Saint-Germain) — Intellectual, literary, beautiful. Close to the Sorbonne. Expensive but iconic. Popular with academics and established professionals.
7th (Invalides) — Prestigious, quiet, government and diplomatic district. Very expensive. Popular with senior professionals and diplomatic community.
9th–10th (Opéra / Canal Saint-Martin) — The 9th is a good mix of business and residential. The 10th around Canal Saint-Martin is vibrant, increasingly gentrified, popular with younger expats.
11th–12th (Bastille / Nation) — Lively, affordable by Paris standards, excellent restaurants and bars. Popular with young professionals and expats.
15th–16th — The 15th is the most residential large arrondissement; affordable and well-connected. The 16th is upmarket, quieter, popular with families and wealthier residents.
18th (Montmartre) — Charming, artistic, iconic. Touristy around the Sacré-Cœur but residential streets are pleasant. More affordable than central arrondissements.
19th–20th (Belleville / Ménilmontant) — Multicultural, artistic, affordable. Rapidly changing; popular with younger professionals and creatives.
Suburbs (Neuilly, Boulogne, Vincennes) — Many expat families settle in the inner western suburbs (Neuilly, Boulogne-Billancourt) for space, international schools and slightly lower rents.
Cost of Living in Paris
Paris is expensive but generally cheaper than London for equivalent accommodation.
| Category | Monthly cost (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (central / 6th-7th) | €1,800 – €3,000 |
| 1-bedroom apartment (11th-15th) | €1,200 – €1,800 |
| Monthly Navigo transport pass (all zones) | €86 |
| Groceries (one person) | €250 – €400 |
| Eating out (mid-range) | €15 – €30 per meal |
Post-Brexit: Visa and Residency in Paris
UK nationals living in Paris long-term need a French long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) before arrival (for most categories), obtained from the French consulate in London.
After arrival: 1. Convert your visa to a titre de séjour (residence card) within your first year — apply at the prefecture (or online via the ANEF platform) 2. Register at the CPAM (health insurance) — state healthcare access requires registration 3. Open a French bank account — Société Générale, BNP Paribas and online banks like N26 serve expats well
Paris prefecture processes are notoriously slow. Use the ANEF online platform where possible and follow up regularly.
The Paris Housing Market
Finding a flat in Paris is competitive. Key tips:
- Required documents (dossier de location): passport, last 3 payslips, employment contract, last 3 bank statements, tax return or avis d’imposition. Have these ready before you start viewing
- Guarantor (garant): many Paris landlords require a French guarantor with income 3× the rent. If you do not have one, services like Visale (government-backed) or GarantMe provide alternatives
- Furnished vs unfurnished: furnished apartments (meublés) are more flexible (1-month notice) and popular with new arrivals; unfurnished (vides) have more legal protection but are harder to leave quickly
- Platforms: SeLoger, PAP, LeBonCoin, BienIci
Shipping Your Belongings to Paris
Easy Move operates regular UK departures to Paris, with EU customs documentation included as standard in our removals to France service. Transit time from London to Paris is typically 1–2 working days.
For the full country guide: moving from London to France and moving from UK to France guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Moving to Paris from the UK
Do I need to speak French to live in Paris?
French is essential for daily life in Paris. Unlike Amsterdam or Berlin, English is not widely spoken in everyday contexts — shops, landlords, GP surgeries and local services predominantly operate in French. Even basic French makes a significant difference; fluency is necessary for professional integration in most sectors.
Which arrondissement is best for UK expats?
The 9th, 10th, 11th and 15th arrondissements offer a good balance of quality, connectivity and relative affordability. Many UK expat families settle in Neuilly-sur-Seine or Boulogne-Billancourt (western suburbs) for space and international schools.
How hard is it to rent a flat in Paris as a UK national?
Challenging, particularly without a French guarantor and French bank account. Prepare a complete dossier de location in advance, use a guarantor service if needed, and consider a short-term furnished rental for your first few months while you establish local credentials.
What is the titre de séjour and when do I need it?
The titre de séjour is your French residence card. After arriving on a long-stay visa, you must apply to convert it to a titre de séjour within the first year. Apply via the ANEF online platform or your local prefecture. Processing times can be long — apply early.
How long does it take to ship belongings from the UK to Paris?
Easy Move’s transit time from the UK to Paris is 1–2 working days — one of the fastest routes in our network, with EU customs documentation included.
Ready to move? Our team handles the full process: packing, customs and delivery.