Tag: expat
Is the VLS-TS Visitor Visa a Path to French Citizenship?
Years ago, the path from visa holder to French citizen was straightforward and attainable. Living in France for 5 years, speaking French at a B1 level, and knowing some of the country’s history was all it took to qualify and likely obtain citizenship. In 2025, things are changing rapidly, and not for the better. With…
Six Months Living in France: Life, Culture, and Surprises
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It’s been just over six months since we first arrived in France. Our first half-year has been a rollercoaster, with plenty of ups and downs. After being approved for our visas and moving here we found an apartment, validated our visas, and joined the healthcare system. But more importantly, in between all those administrative tasks…
The FEIE for Digital Nomads – Travel the World and Pay No Taxes
‘Nothing is certain except death and taxes’ – Benjamin Franklin, 1789 American taxes are like a ghost, haunting you no matter what country you escape to. Even moving to a tax haven won’t save you from them. But what if there was an escape? What if you could pay no (income) tax on (some of)…
The Hidden Financial Risks of Retiring Abroad – Part 1
We arrived in France in January 2025. That month, the USD:EUR exchange rate had climbed to 0.97:1 and was on track to reach parity at 1:1. Because we’ve worked and invested in the US for our entire careers, all of our retirement planning was done in dollars. Apartment searching, grocery shopping, vacation planning; we imagined…
The ultimate expat pre-departure checklist
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So you’ve decided to leave on an extended trip as a digital nomad, or move to another country as an expat? There’s a lot to do before heading out, and you’ll quickly find out that rules and systems are not set up to handle people with foreign addresses and phone numbers, or no address and…
Finding an Apartment in France: What Actually Works
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in HousingFinding an apartment in France is often described as difficult, but that word hides what actually trips people up: rigid paperwork rules, landlord risk aversion, and a rental system designed for long-term French employees. We’ve now gone through the apartment search process twice in France, most recently in late 2025. This guide reflects what actually…
The French VLS-TS Visa Process
If you’re applying for the French VLS-TS Visitor visa and want a clear, real-world explanation of how the process actually works, this guide walks through our exact experience from start to approval. My wife and I applied for the VLS-TS Visiteur visa in December 2024 in Washington, DC. We received our approval in January, 2025.…
Why Retiring in France Works So Well for Americans
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Retiring in Europe is appealing, but many countries make long-term residency, taxes, and healthcare complicated. France is one of the few places where retirement is both legally straightforward and makes financial sense. For Americans considering retirement abroad, France stands out for four reasons: Why We Chose France In 2024, my wife and I were on…
