Emigration to France for Russian citizens in 2021

The European cultural, highly developed country of France attracts more than one generation of CIS citizens. For many this is a fairytale dream. This state has long been ranked among the richest and most attractive countries to live in. The standard of living in France is one of the best in Europe in 2021. But in this regard, immigration to France is not an easy matter. French visas for travelers are easy to obtain, but staying there for a longer period will require a lot of effort.

Detailed map of France

If you make an effort and achieve what you want, you can subsequently receive quite significant benefits and opportunities:

Establish your own business and conduct it in the territories of the European Union.
Feel all the benefits and advantages of resident status: a stable life, access to education in Europe, health insurance, availability of loans and loyalty of European banks.
Affordable housing, cheap European cars, luxury yachts. All this can be purchased on credit with a very low interest rate.
Move freely within the European Union and obtain a visa a few days in advance to cross one of the countries of this association.
The prospect of obtaining permanent residence in France.

Ways to immigrate to France in 2021

Current legislation provides for only a few ways for foreigners to immigrate:

Moving to permanent residence through employment

Employment will allow a specialist to quickly move to France. However, this option is available only to professionals who have managed to interest an employer with their skills. Before providing a position to a foreigner, the employer must prove to the authorities that he cannot find the level of specialist he needs among his compatriots. Therefore, jobs and the opportunity to emigrate go to Russians who have a rare specialty or high professionalism.

Investments in France

France is happy to attract foreign capital into its own economy. Special programs have been developed for large investors to make it easier to move to permanent residence. To use them, a foreigner should:

Open a company with the permission of the prefecture, investing a serious amount of money in the business. In 2021 it is 1 million euros.
Apply for a visitor visa and within three months receive a business card from the prefecture in whose territory the activities will be conducted.
Obtain a residence permit for a period of 1 year based on a business card.
After 2 years of successful work, apply for a residence permit for a period of 10 years.
After 5 years, the businessman receives the right to request approval of the status of a permanent resident of the country.

Residence permit through the purchase of real estate

France has traditionally been a favorite holiday destination for wealthy Russians. And many of them are happy to purchase real estate in Paris or on the Cote d'Azur, expecting not only to relax from time to time, but also to live permanently in France.

However, migration legislation does not provide such an opportunity for owners of square meters, land plots or commercial properties. Owning real estate allows owners and family members only to obtain a long-term Schengen visa, allowing them to stay on French soil for 3 months in each six months.

Emigration through family reunification, marriage registration

Under the family reunification procedure, the following categories of citizens can move to France and subsequently apply for permanent status and citizenship:

Spouses;
Minor children;
Parents who are dependents due to age or health.

It is important to comply with the following conditions:

The persons with whom reunification will take place are French citizens or permanent residents.
The applicant must have a stable income in the last months before emigration, exceeding the minimum subsistence level established in France. In this case, for married couples, the total earnings are taken into account.
The host party owns or rents housing of sufficient space.
Emigrants do not pose a threat to society.

Considering the prevalence of fictitious marriages, migration services monitor newlyweds very closely, assessing the length of time the couple has lived together, the presence of joint accounts, and the birth of children. When submitting an application for a residence permit, a foreign spouse is required to undergo an interview to determine their knowledge of the language and culture of the country.

Refugee status

Asking for political asylum is one of the most difficult ways to stay in France. The country's authorities are very reluctant to grant such requests. As for refugees from Russia, it is extremely difficult for them to convince migration services that in their civilized and modern homeland they are subjected to life-threatening persecution.

You can seek protection from the French authorities if you prove your country’s inability or unwillingness to eliminate the threat on the following grounds:

Religion;
Gender sign;
Political activity;
Hostilities.

If refugee status is approved, the state pays benefits to the migrant, provides him with a residence permit for 10 years and gives him the right to work.

Au Pair Program

The French authorities welcome youth cultural exchanges, in which young men and women aged 18 to 25 come to the country for a long period of time. Most often, they are provided with family accommodation. Young people help with housework and work as nannies, receiving in return pocket money, food, a roof over their heads and the opportunity to study the culture and language of the country.

How to move to this country from Russia?

Relations between Russia and France are very stable in many respects. Including in terms of immigration. Russians see many benefits to moving, these could be:

more favorable climate (no sudden temperature changes, no frost in winter);
the atmosphere of comfort in the country (people are more friendly);
cleanliness (although France is not the cleanest country in Europe, but when compared with Russia, it is the cleanest);
pleasant living conditions for migrants;
high-quality and free medical care;
prospects for developing your business;
cheaper housing.

These points may be enough to consider this country for moving.

Pros and cons of moving to France

The vast majority of migrants seek to move to France in order to live better, receive higher salaries and enjoy all the benefits of a civilized European state. However, it is not uncommon for emigration from one’s native places to turn into disappointment, since in every society, along with advantages, there are also disadvantages that must be taken into account.

pros

The recognized advantages of living on French soil include:

Climate . All seasons in France are comfortable. In summer the air warms up to 27 degrees, without exhausting residents with heat, and in winter the temperature rarely drops below 5 degrees below zero.
Kitchen . The French are recognized gourmets. They do not chew on the go, preferring to spend time in a restaurant with a glass of good wine. It is not for nothing that France is the birthplace of haute cuisine and the founder of the most prestigious award in this field.
Legislation . The French feel very protected. Laws are designed to respect the interests of citizens. Any violation of rights will be immediately suppressed.
Rest . The country provides ordinary people with many opportunities to relax at any time of the year. Guests and residents enjoy mountains, sandy coastlines, museums, parks and numerous attractions.
Atmosphere . The special atmosphere of France, its capital and picturesque provinces still excites the hearts of Russians today. This country has a measured, calm life, allowing you to enjoy every moment of it.
Culture . In addition to exquisite architectural masterpieces, guests can visit theaters, national festivals and cultural events.
Job . The work week lasts 35 hours. You can work according to a convenient schedule, and in case of dismissal, the state provides the unemployed with a decent benefit.
Education . You can study at school for free. Even university education is cheap, but students receive high-quality knowledge.

Minuses

But, along with the advantages, the peculiarities of life in France also imply the presence of a number of disadvantages.

Language . The French have great respect for their own language, so they are very reluctant to speak English. Migration requires knowledge of French, but the language is characterized by difficulties in grammar and pronunciation.
Treatment . You can buy most medications at a pharmacy only with a prescription.
Employment . Job openings for foreigners in the country are limited. Employers do not like to hire students without experience for open positions. Even if they manage to get a job, migrants cannot count on career advancement.
Bureaucracy . Collecting papers in France takes a lot of effort and time. And any procedure requires a large number of documents.
Medicine . There are few good specialists in the country. You have to wait several weeks to see a doctor with a recognized reputation.
Taxes . Payments account for about a quarter of citizens' earnings.
Prices . The cost of living in France is quite high. Real estate rent, gasoline, food, and services are expensive. Modern French people can no longer do without loans.
Having a bank account . Electronic payment methods are displacing cash money from circulation. Today, almost no transaction can be carried out without a bank account.
Crime . In large cities there are crime-ridden areas that are unsafe to visit.
Mentality . The reserve of the French can give foreigners the impression of unfriendliness and coldness.

Standard of living of Russians in France

The history of immigration to France for Russians develops differently. The standard of living in Paris is much higher than in the south of France. Local residents receive an average of 2.5 thousand euros per month, while immigrants have to be content with monthly incomes of 1000-1200 euros in the provinces, and 1600-1800 in the capital.

Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the Eurozone. Prices for products and services are much higher than in other cities. Therefore, many Russians prefer to settle further away from the capital. Areas densely populated by immigrants from Russia can be recognized by the presence of Russian restaurants and shops in them.

It is not easy for Russians to adapt to the procedure for providing medical services. It is impossible to make an appointment with a specialist without going through a therapist. There are no local doctors who visit patients at home. An ambulance can only be called in emergency cases; it is impossible to buy medications without a prescription.

Russian migrants have not lived in France “in grand style” for a long time. Expensive rent and high utility costs force people to save money.

Russian girls are of particular interest to the French, and they often marry them, getting the opportunity to move and obtain a residence permit. However, not all gallant Frenchmen lead their chosen ones down the aisle. Many people prefer to enter into a cohabitation agreement.

Russians have to work hard to find work. Most often, they get places that the French refused. Doctors, good athletes, and highly qualified specialists in rare specialties are valued here.

According to official data from various sources, from 100 to 200 thousand migrants from Russia live in France. The Russian-speaking diaspora is not united, although there are several public associations in the country financed from the cultural fund and charitable organizations.

Is it worth it?

Let's start with the pros and cons of this country. One of the main advantages is the high level of wages, as well as a secure pension and good social benefits and benefits. For those who like to see the world, the opportunity to travel will be a plus. But if you moved from cold Russia because of the climate, then you can safely stay in France, here it is quite favorable. Work will not take up all your time; a 35-hour work week will allow you to devote time to yourself and your family. And high-quality medicine and products indicate a high quality of life.

But, like any other country, France also has its drawbacks. The first is high taxes, that is, even if you earn a lot, it is unprofitable, about half of the income will go to taxes.

Secondly, the French are stingy, unhurried, do not like to overwork, and observe certain life rituals that are difficult to adapt to. The cost of transport and its maintenance leaves much to be desired.

You will spend a considerable part of your salary on this. As a rule, migrants are rarely hired for skilled work, even if you have a wealth of knowledge, you can be an ordinary worker for a long time. And if you decide that knowing English you can survive anywhere, then France will disappoint you, yes, you can survive, but you can simply irritate the French, so you will have to learn their native language.

Our articles about emigration to countries neighboring France are about Italy, Switzerland and Spain.

Stages of moving to France

The emigration process can be divided into several successive stages:

For an initial visit on the selected basis, you need to apply for a national visa category D.
After entering the country, you must report to the immigration department and receive a sticker in your passport confirming your right to reside for a year. The sticker gives the migrant guest status without a work permit.
Issue a residence permit for 2 years, with the possibility of extension for another 4. The residence permit does not require a foreigner to stay in the country for more than 183 days a year, which eliminates the need to pay taxes to the French side.
Submit documents and pass the language test to obtain permanent residence for a period of 10 years.
Submit an application for citizenship.

Registration of a residence permit

A residence permit is the initial stage of legalization on French soil. Temporary resident status can be obtained only on the grounds provided by law. The owner of a residence permit has all civil rights and obligations on an equal basis with the indigenous inhabitants of the country. The only exception is the lack of voting rights. The procedure for obtaining residence permit status requires a lot of time and effort. An immigrant should pay special attention to collecting a package of documents approved by law.

Required documents

The package of documents must contain information confirming:

The creditworthiness of the applicant;
Legality of stay;
Availability of grounds for a residence permit.

It includes:

Statement;
International passport with visa;
Invitation from the French side, if available;
Information about the residential address, namely, a lease agreement, a certificate of provision of space on campus, a contract with an employer guaranteeing accommodation;
Bank statement confirming the availability of funds in the account;
Medical insurance;
Documents about marital status and presence of children;
Grounds for legalization.

The papers should be packed in an envelope along with two empty ones, having previously indicated the return address on them and affixed stamps. Documents must be translated into French.

Cost of obtaining a residence permit

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit involves paying a state fee for receiving the service. Its size is not large. The applicant must pay the state 100 euros per application.

However, there are additional costs to consider:

For translation of documents;
Postal forwarding;
Services of intermediary agents.

Deadlines

Documents must be submitted no later than 1-2 months before the expiration date of the long-term visitor visa. The collected package along with the application is handed over to the Commissioner at the office of the Immigration Department at the place of residence. The law allows 2 weeks for its consideration, after which the applicant will receive an official response to his postal address.

Since the residence permit has different types, its validity period may vary:

The minimum is equal to a year;
Temporary lasts from 1 to 5 years;
Permanent is issued for a period of 10 years.

Features of moving to permanent residence

Those who want to move to France for permanent residence should take into account certain features of this process, in connection with which:

Learn French in advance, without which it is difficult not only to get a job or rent housing, but also to buy groceries in a store. The French know English well, but do not like to speak it.
Study local legislation. This knowledge will help you navigate the legal space, being aware of your own rights and responsibilities. French society is quite loyal towards migrants, but there are pitfalls that can lead to misunderstandings and sometimes serious problems.
Pay attention to traffic rules. If your plans include using a car, it would be a good idea to monitor local traffic regulations, since even insignificant, from the Russians’ point of view, violations are punishable by serious fines in France.
Do not harbor groundless illusions. Many migrants think that all they have to do is move to France and life will immediately sparkle with new colors. You should always remember that emigration may not be as successful as you would like, and therefore you will need ways to return to your homeland or backup options for legalization.
Familiarize yourself in advance with the rules and features of life in the city you have chosen for emigration in order to objectively assess your capabilities for moving and adapting.

Moving to France for permanent residence requires a thoughtful and informed approach. The ability to think through all the pros and cons in order to make the right decision will play a good role in this process.

Obtaining French citizenship

The French Republic is reluctant to provide its civil passports to foreigners. The law provides only a few grounds for acquiring citizenship:

By right of birth or adoption;
Through the conclusion of a family union;
Through reunion with relatives;
Through naturalization;
By repatriation.

The law also allows for the restoration of citizenship that was lost by the applicant for any reason.

You can apply with the corresponding application to the prefecture of the district of residence, if the applicant is located in France, or to the consular department of the French Embassy in the applicant’s homeland.

Dream country

France is a country that attracts Russians.
It seems so romantic, fashionable, modern and cozy that you want to come to it and not return to cold gray Russia. But tourism or emigration to France requires at least basic knowledge about this country. After all, this is a completely different world, with its own laws, rhythm of life and attitude towards people. Let's figure out whether it's worth changing your usual lifestyle to an unfamiliar one.

Tell us about yourself - where were you born, where did you study, what did you do before moving?

My path to France was very long, through all sorts of thorns... to new thorns, already French. I was born and raised in Krasnoyarsk, in the beautiful Akademgorodok. She studied at school 41, which later turned into gymnasium No. 13, in a language class with French. By the way, he taught us at an excellent level. I think my grammar level is at the 9th grade level and will put my current self in the belt with one left hand

At about thirteen years old, “Notre-Dame de Paris” fell on me - not a monument, but a musical, but the effect was no less. I passionately fell in love with the French language and French culture, learned the songs by heart, met other Krasnoyarsk fans of this musical, and on this fertile soil my passion for the French language only grew stronger. Therefore, after school, the choice that confronted me - to go to the physics department (which my parents encouraged) or to the Pedagogical University (only at that time they taught French as the main language) - I made, as they say, with my eyes closed and an open heart, contrary to the arguments of everyone around me .

While studying at the “ped”, my passion blossomed in a riotous, all-eclipsing color: I organized a French club, my friend and I organized various movements on a city scale, I went to concerts of French stars in Moscow (and there was no money, so I was more likely to go to the “pedestrian” I mean “slowly and persistently traveled by train.” But, in general, it was this hobby that laid the foundation for what I am doing now (no, fortunately, not train transportation, as you might think from this paragraph).

Migration policy and requirements for immigrants

France is considered the leader among European countries in terms of immigration levels. Over the past 25 years, 58 million people have moved here. At the end of 2003, the state adopted a law on immigration control, and a database was created with fingerprints and photographs of foreign citizens arriving in France.

In 2005, the country's migration policy was tightened due to riots in Paris. It has become more difficult to obtain citizenship by marrying a Frenchman (now it is necessary to prove that the couple has lived together for 2 years). Family reunification rules have been tightened.

Immigrants are subject to a number of additional conditions:

passing an exam on knowledge of the language and values of France;
no criminal record;
sufficient income;
permanent residence.

Immigrants must pass a language proficiency test.

After signing the agreement on republican integration, immigrants must take a social studies course lasting 14 days. There, foreigners will be told in detail about the country’s values and given recommendations for finding a job.

If the language test shows low results (less than A1), you will have to take additional courses to study French.

Why Paris?

Russia and France have always been closely connected. For many Russians, Paris is a city of dreams; it is romantic, beautiful, cozy. There are many places where you can stroll, enjoying the views, or sit in a cozy coffee shop and drink coffee and a croissant.

This city has high salaries, standard of living, medicine, even despite the presence of disadvantages, hundreds of foreigners migrate here, following their dreams. For some, France means building your own business, while others value its culture and history, while others are attracted by the romantic French language. Also, the attitude of the French towards foreigners, including Russians, is quite good. There is no discrimination based on nationality.

Read about life in other major European cities here and here.