Return from expatriation: how to prepare for your arrival in a new home?

Do you live abroad and need help preparing for your return to France? Read our advice to find out what to do before leaving your current country and settling back in France.

Finding accommodation before your return

Looking for a new home is not always easy, and doing so from abroad can make things even more complicated. However, it is possible to find what you need online by using platforms specialized in rentals between individuals, browsing flat-share listings, or even searching for a property to buy. Thanks to the internet, you can find the ideal home in just a few clicks!

Setting up essential contracts

Once you’ve found the house or apartment you will move into upon your return, it’s important to take care of the essential contracts that ensure your home runs smoothly. These include home insurance, internet access, electricity supply, and a gas subscription. All of these can be arranged online, which is much more convenient than dealing with customer service from abroad.

When choosing your energy contracts, it is highly recommended to use online comparison tools: this way, you can more easily find a subscription that suits your energy needs. For electricity, for instance, you can find useful information to guide your decision [here]. For gas supply, you can compare the different options offered by French providers.

Taking care of official procedures

Before leaving the country where you currently live, you must notify the public services of your return to France. The official organizations to inform include your insurance providers, energy suppliers, internet operator, and local postal services. Gas and electricity providers should be informed first: if you move without cancelling your subscriptions, you will continue to be billed after your departure.

You must also make sure you bring all the important documents you’ll need when leaving. This includes, for example, your children’s school certificates if you are a parent, your payslips, and your driving license. And if you are returning with a foreign spouse, you will find the details of the necessary procedures for regularizing their situation