Moving from Canada to France
Nearly 25,000 tons of snails and 80 million pairs of frog legs are eaten in France. While some would never approach these meals, many consider them a delicacy. Canadians who move to stay in France will be overwhelmed with the variety of local cuisine. The French know how to cook haute cuisine and simple dishes deliciously following traditional recipes. Even if you eat only potatoes every day, you will still have quite a varied and exotic menu.
French poutine might be not the same as a Canadian one but their rich culture, a high-standard healthcare system, an opportunity to become an EU citizen and the best croissants can make up for it. Moving From Canada to France can be easy when hiring a trustworthy international moving company. Get your Free Quote Now!
Canada vs. France
Remember that if you speak French (Canadian) some of your vocabulary and slang will not be understood by European French speakers. Regardless, it will be easier for you to adapt compared to someone who does not speak French at all.
Visiting France for leisure is a lot different than studying in France or working in France long term. The visa application process and requirements significantly differ. When moving to France from Canada you must have realistic expectations of what is about to come. Let’s have a look at 6 important topics that can be helpful to know before the moving day.
Ethnicity, Religion and Language
Canada is located on the North American continent. Its area is 9,984,670 km². Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world and is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The land is washed by 3 oceans: the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific. The only neighbouring country is the United States. The capital of Canada is Ottawa.
The climate in Canada varies from territory to territory. The farther up north you go, the more uninhabitable the land becomes. Due to the harsh winter temperatures, about 90% of the population lives within a few meters away from the US and Canadian borders leaving the rest empty. The average winter temperature ranges between -15°C to -30°C and +20°C to +30°C during the summer.
Canada is home to over 38 million people from all over the world. According to the census reported in 2016, there are over 250 ethnic origins or ancestries with only 32% identifying as Canadians. The next biggest ethnic group is from England (18%), Scotland (14%), France (13.6%), Ireland (13.4%), German ( 9.6%), China (5.1%) and others.
More than half of the population practice Christianity, 3.7% identify as Muslims, 1.7% are Hindus, 1.4% are Shirks, 1.1% are Buddhists and others. There are 2 official languages in Canada: English and French.
Your lifestyle in Canada will depend on your preferences as there is a lot to choose from. An average Canadian does not live a luxurious lifestyle but many can afford to go for a family vacation once or twice a year. Changing carriers, moving cities, building a family, getting Timmies for breakfast and going for a Blue Jays baseball game once in a while, are all a part of Canadian life.
Canadians are friendly and welcoming. Canadians believe that together you can do more, thus there is a strong focus on teamwork rather than individual achievements. People here are indeed polite and value differences. In a land where the majority of the population are ex-pats, that is the only way to go.
Canada is famous for its high-standard education system. Almost half a million international students come to Canada to receive a degree or improve their existing qualifications. 3 Canadian universities made it into the top 50 world’s best universities rank: the University of Toronto, McGill University and the University of British Columbia.
Tuition for domestic students varies from $1,360 to $9,250 CAD per semester, while international students pay the full tuition of $7,000 - $16,800 CAD per semester. The Canadian Government allowed international students to work 20h per week during the semester and up to 40 h per week during breaks. Public schools are free for Canadian citizens and holders of permanent presidentship, however, there are some fees that must be paid.
Cost of living heavily relies on the city and its location within the city. When moving to Canada, many consider only bigger cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver or Calragy due to more opportunities. Therefore, let’s review the price ranges between these cities.
On average living expenses for a single person living in Canada come up to a minimum of $980 - $1100 CAD without rent. This price consists of public transportation costs, groceries, utilities, mobile connection, clothing and basic entertainment. A family of 4 is expected to spend on average $3,700 - $4,800 CAD per month without rent.
A 1 bedroom apartment in the city center would cost about $1,900 - $2,100 CAD and about $1,600 - $1,800 CAD outside the city center. A 3-bedroom apartment in the city center costs on average $3,400 - 3,800 CAD and $2,900 CAD outside.
Canada uses a point-based immigration system launched in 1967, which throughout the years has shown great results and was implemented by other countries. You can move to Canada by participating in state-approved immigration programs, there are well over 80 to choose from. The Express Entry program was introduced in 2015 allowing the government to process applying candidates faster.
After receiving the Canadian Permanent residence you will be eligible to apply for a Canadian passport after the next 3 years (1095 days) of 5 years living inside of Canada. Those who are born in Canada are eligible to apply for a Canadian passport regardless of their parents' status.
Ethnicity, Religion and Language
The French Republic is located in the western part of Europe, on the Atlantic coast. The total area of the country is 543,940 km2. The country is divided into 27 authority states. The topography of France is very diverse, with plains and lowlands predominating in the north and west, which gradually turn into high mountain ranges.
The climate is temperate, the fundamental factor is the air masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean. The west of France has mild winters without frost, rainfall and high humidity. In the center, winters are colder and summers are hot, but the rains are not as frequent. The northeast has mild winters and light frosts. The south has rainy winters and rather dry, hot summers.
As of June 2022, the population of France is over 65,5 million people. The French Republic can be ranked among the most mono-ethnic countries. 90.3% of the total population identify as French or have French ancestors. Portuguese makeup about 2%, Algerians - 1.5%, Italians - 1.3%, Moroccans - 1%, Turks - 0.2% and other minor groups.
France is a secular state, with Catholics making up about 52%, Muslims about 5%, people professing Protestantism 2%, and Judaism followers 1%. At the same time, 32% of the total population consider themselves atheists and agnostics. The official language is French.
The French are used to building their lives in such a way that it has room for both leisure and work. But primarily recreation, of course, because no Frenchman considers work to be the meaning of his life. Unlike the North American model, where one is never at home, eating on the go, working nights to build a career, France has a different life, and one would look at such a model with surprise. Why have a career if there is no time to enjoy life?
France is a place where in many ways one begins to realize real values - a cup of coffee, a wife's smile, a walk in the park in the evening, instead of million-dollar bills and business development. Life in France, without a doubt, contributes to the health of the nervous system and peace of mind for everyone. And this in the eyes of many is worth it to move to live in France.
Education in France is accessible to its residents, but not everyone has the goal of getting a higher education. The education system in France consists of 4 main stages - preschool, primary, secondary and higher education. The cost of higher education for French citizens and for foreign students is the same.
France is one of the few countries where quality and prestigious higher education is practically free of charge. In public universities, you only have to pay an annual fee, which is only €200 ($268 CAD) to €700 ($941 CAD). In private universities and high schools, tuition ranges from €8,000 ($10,755 CAD) to €20,000 ($26,889 CAD) euros per year.
France may not be the most expensive in Europe, but it's certainly not cheap. When moving to France consider saving up a generous amount to settle you for the first few months. The most expensive cities to live in are Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and Bordeaux.
A single person living in these cities should expect to spend monthly €953 ($1,287 CAD) in Paris, €890 ($1,202 CAD) in Lyon and about €830 ($1,121 CAD) in Marseille, without rent. A family of 4 would spend on average €3,020 ($4,078 CAD) to €3,413 ($4,609 CAD) per month without rent.
A 1 bedroom apartment in the city center would cost €1,269 ($1,269 CAD) in Paris and €682 ($917 CAD) in Marseille, outside of the city center €928($1,248 CAD) in Paris and €562 ($756 CAD) in Marseille. A 3-bedroom apartment rent price ranges from €1,845 - €2,727 ($1,845 - $3,670 CAD) in Paris and €975 - €1,333 ($1,312 - $1,793 CAD) in Marseille.
Although it might not be as troubling to receive a French visa, gaining a french residence permit is a more complex process for non-EU/EEA citizens. Some countries do not require to obtain even a visa when visiting France for a short period of time (visit SchengenVisa for the list), and Canada is one of them. If you are seeking to stay for more than 3 months, you are obliged to obtain one of these: a temporary residence permit, resident card, skills and talents resident card or retired residence permit.
After living up to 5 years in France you might qualify to apply for a carte de resident (french resident card). It will allow you to work and live in France for 10 years. Upon expiration can be renewed. However, you will lose the resident card if you leave France for more than 2 consecutive years.
Immigration to France as a Canadian Citizen
When moving from Canada to France for immigration consider the following information:
- You can visit France for 3 months without a visa with a Canadian passport.
- You must apply for a visa before the move if you are planning to stay longer than 90 days.
- Apply for a French visa in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa.
- If you care at the age of 18 to 35, consider applying for a visa through France- Canada Youth Mobility Agreement allowing you to live and work for up to 24 months.
- Get a Certificate de Changement de Résidence (change of residence certificate) at the French Consulate of Canada to avoid paying 20% VAT plus duties.
- You are eligible to receive your Canadian pension benefits living in France.
Moving from France to Canada
If you are moving to Canada from France, there are a few advantages and disadvantages to consider. The pros of moving to Canada are: gaining Canadian residency and citizenship in a shorter time than other countries, quality healthcare, one of the best education systems and proximity to the US. A few of the cons for a person moving from France would be the weather and the large distance between everything.
Canada is a great country with a high standard of living, making it among the top 10 countries to move to for decades. When moving overseas, remember the importance of quality packing of your valuable items whether they are being shipped by plane or a ship. Look into different international moving companies and get quotes before the move.
