FAQ

French Healthcare

How do I get a Carte Vitale as an American living in France?

To get a Carte Vitale, you first need a permanent French social security number, which means registering with Assurance Maladie through CPAM. Once you have your number, you can request the card directly through your Ameli account. Non-EU nationals need to have been legally resident in France for at least three consecutive months, unless employed — in which case your employer registers you automatically. The full process typically takes two to six months, so apply as early as possible. In the meantime, your attestation de droits lets you access the system and submit paper reimbursements using a feuille de soins.

Does France’s Sécu (Assurance Maladie) cover all my medical costs?

Not entirely — and this surprises a lot of Americans. CPAM reimburses roughly 65–70% of standard healthcare costs: GP visits, specialist appointments, hospital stays, and most prescribed medications. The remaining portion — called the ticket modérateur — is your responsibility unless you have a mutuelle (supplementary health insurance). A mutuelle works a bit like the supplemental coverage you might have had through an employer in the US. Most long-term residents take one out. Without it you’re paying 30–35% out of pocket every time.

What happens to my healthcare coverage while I’m waiting for my Carte Vitale?

You’re not without coverage — you just have more paperwork. Once your social security number is assigned, you receive an attestation de droits as proof of affiliation. You can show this at appointments in place of your Carte Vitale. When a provider can’t process it electronically, you’ll receive a paper feuille de soins to mail to your local CPAM office. The reimbursement rate is the same. Keep every receipt and take a photo of each feuille de soins before you send it. Note for 2026: a new PUMA contribution requirement for non-EU retirees and long-stay visitors was passed in the 2026 Social Security budget, but contribution rates haven’t been set by government decree yet — monitor ameli.fr for updates.

Visas & Residency

How long can Americans stay in France without a visa?

American citizens can stay in France — and the wider Schengen Area — for up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period without a visa. That limit applies collectively across all 29 Schengen countries, not per country, so days spent in Germany, Spain, or Italy all count toward your total. If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) before leaving the US — you cannot convert a tourist visit into a long-stay visa once you’re already in France. ETIAS, the EU’s new pre-travel authorization system, is expected to launch later in 2026 and will require Americans to obtain approval before traveling to Schengen countries.

What is the difference between a VLS-TS and a titre de séjour?

The VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour) is a long-stay visa that functions as your residence permit for its duration — typically four to twelve months. You validate it online through ANEF within three months of arrival. When it expires and you plan to remain in France, you apply for a titre de séjour — an actual residence permit card — at your prefecture or via ANEF. The titre de séjour is renewed periodically until you qualify for a multi-year card or eventually a 10-year carte de résident. Think of the VLS-TS as the entry point and the titre de séjour as what you build toward.

What language level do I need for a 10-year residency card in France?

As of January 1, 2026, applicants for a 10-year carte de résident must demonstrate B1-level French under France’s 2024 immigration law. You’ll also need to pass a new civic exam covering French history, values, and institutions, introduced by decree in October 2025. Accepted proof includes TCF IRN, DELF B1, or a French diploma at or above that level. Book a language test sooner rather than later — exam centers fill up.

French Nationality & Marriage

What are the requirements to get French nationality by marriage in 2026?

You can apply after four years of marriage to a French citizen — three years if you were already legally resident in France at the time of marriage. As of January 1, 2026, the language requirement increased from B1 to B2, a jump that has caught many applicants off guard. Accepted proof includes a DELF B2 diploma (valid for life) or a TCF IRN or TEF IRN certificate (valid for two years). Unlike standard naturalization by decree, applications by marriage are exempt from the written civic exam — republican values are assessed orally instead.

How long does the French nationality by marriage process take?

Officially, the prefecture has 18 months from the date your complete file is logged to issue a decision. In practice, timelines have stretched well beyond that since late 2025, when a surge in applications overwhelmed prefecture offices across France. Keep your file meticulously organized and request confirmation of receipt at every stage. I went through this process myself and received my French nationality in 2024 — patience and paper trails matter equally.

Can I keep my American citizenship if I become French?

Yes — France permits dual nationality, and the US does not require you to renounce your American citizenship when you naturalize in another country. The US still considers you a citizen for tax purposes regardless, so your IRS filing obligations don’t change after naturalization. Use your French passport entering France and the Schengen Area, and your US passport entering or exiting the US. I became a French citizen in 2024 and navigate dual citizenship regularly — it’s manageable once you understand the logic.

US & French Taxes

Do I still have to file US taxes if I live in France?

Yes — the US taxes based on citizenship, not residence, so you must file a federal tax return (Form 1040) every year regardless of where you live or whether you owe anything. Americans abroad get an automatic extension to June 15 to file, though tax owed is still due April 15. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (up to $132,900 for 2026) and the Foreign Tax Credit are the two main tools to prevent double taxation. Most Americans in France end up owing little or no US income tax after applying one or both — but you still have to file.

What is FBAR and do I need to file it?

FBAR stands for Foreign Bank Account Report. If the combined total of all your foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any point during the calendar year — even for a single day — you’re required to file FinCEN Form 114 with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. It’s separate from your tax return, filed through the BSA E-Filing System, due April 15 with an automatic extension to October 15. Your Crédit Agricole account, Livret A, joint accounts — all count toward the threshold. Non-willful penalties for failing to file can reach $10,000 per year.

Do I have to file a French tax return too?

If France is your country of tax residence — which it generally is if you live there or spend more than 183 days per year there — yes. French residents declare worldwide income annually using the Déclaration de Revenus (Form 2042), with online deadlines in May and June that vary by department. The France-US tax treaty of 1994 provides relief from double taxation, but a saving clause preserves the US’s right to tax its citizens. Most Americans in France work with a CPA who specializes in expat taxes.

About Sarah & Working With Me

Who is behind A Buckeye in Paris and why should I trust these answers?

I’m Sarah — an American from Ohio who moved to France in March 2020 to join my French husband. I’ve personally completed the full immigration journey: VLS-TS, OFII, titre de séjour renewals, the TCF IRN language exam, the 10-year carte de résident, and French nationality by marriage. I became a French citizen in 2024 and hold dual French-American citizenship. The answers on this site come from lived experience, cross-checked against official sources, and updated as the rules change.

Do you offer any services beyond the blog?

Yes — I run a freelance administrative practice for two audiences: small food businesses in Paris navigating French admin (invoicing reform, bookkeeping, compliance), and expats and immigrants who need help understanding or managing the French administrative process. You can reach me through the contact form on this site or on Instagram at @abuckeyeinparis.

Where can I follow along or get in touch?

Find me on this blog, on Instagram at @abuckeyeinparis, and on Substack where I publish a free monthly digest called Housekeeping covering French administrative changes and what’s worth knowing that month. Comments on individual posts are read and answered — if something on this site is outdated or unclear, I want to know.