READING HADE in France

Where to go to study, what benefits are and how much housing costs

France still gives the Russians not only tourist visas: you can move there at work, study or on a visa for qualified specialists. At the request of the “cold”, journalist Masha Efimova, who lives in France, told what kind of work a person can look for and without him, how much food and move cost.

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Visas and residence permit

France gives foreigners two types of visas: short -term and long -term.

A short -term visa (type C) allows you to enter France and stay in the country for no more than three months within six months. In addition, it can be traveled through the territory of other states included in the Schengen agreement. However, she does not allow living and working in France. A short -term visa can be issued for a single entry or for multiple.

A long -term visa (type D) allows you to stay in the country for more than three months. It is issued in the following cases:

• studies;
• Job;
• family reunion;
• stay without the right to work (Visiteur);
• Stay under the Passeport Talent program, the purpose of which is to attract foreigners to the country with their projects, artists, investors, entrepreneurs, athletes and specialists.

There are 11 types of residence permits in France, among them a student, to reunite a family, workers, for seasonal workers and so on. A complete list of residence permit and the procedure for their receipt can be found on the website of the French Ministry of Internal Affairs. To extend the visa or residence permit, you need to contact the prefecture at the place of residence. Depending on what type of residence permit you want to get, the list of documents will be different, but it will always include current residence permit or visa. It is better to contact the prefecture at least two months before the expiration of the current document. In addition, it is better to clarify the prefecture on the website, whether you can submit documents online or if you need to sign up on the site and personally go to the prefecture.

To obtain citizenship, there are many ways, among them - marriage with a citizen or citizen of France or work in the country after graduation. In most cases, to obtain a French passport, you need to live in the country for at least five years. The list of necessary documents must be recognized at the city hall at the place of residence. One of the stages will be the passing of the language exam if you do not have a certificate confirming the knowledge of French at least at the level of B1. The procedure for different situations is described on the website of the French administration.

You can get a French passport without abandoning Russian. However, dual citizenship is impossible, since the Russian Federation with France does not have a necessary agreement for this, therefore, in the presence of two passports, Russia will consider a person as its citizen, and France will be its own.

In France, it is also possible to request refuge. A detailed procedure is described on the website of the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Accounts and cards

Foreigners can open a card in any bank if there is a long -term visa d or residence permit and a permanent address of residence. The address will need to be confirmed, for this it is suitable for utilities for utility services in a few months.

In order to open an account, you need to agree on a meeting at the bank (Rendez-Vous) with a consultant by phone or in the department. Depending on your situation, in addition to the above documents, others may be requested: for example, a work contract, a payment statement where the salary is indicated, and/or a marriage certificate with a French citizen. A complete list of documents that may be required is better to specify in advance with the bank employees.

If the account is not opened even despite the fact that there are all documents, you can request a written refusal and go with it to Banque de France (Central Bank of France). The regulator will oblige the bank to open an account. However, this process can take about two months, and in some cases more.

Job

The average salary in the country is 2587 euros after deduction of taxes. In France, a progressive income tax, more about bets can be read on the website of the French administration. When paying income tax with a person, the tax service interacts directly. Tax returns should be submitted by everyone who lives in France - both citizens of the country and foreigners.

In addition, the employer makes pension, insurance and other deductions monthly. Each month, the employee receives FICHE de Paie (in fact, the salary statement), which indicates the amount of the salary before deduction of taxes, how many hours a person worked, the amount of deductions and how many people received after all taxes. On average, the difference between the salary before and after the deduction is 23%.

In summer, the demand for seasonal workers, for example, in the agricultural sector, is growing. According to the employment center, employers are also often looking for paramedics, cooks and house assistants.

The unemployment rate in France is quite high: in April 2023 it amounted to 7%. For comparison: in Germany, this indicator in the same month was 2.9%, in Belgium - 5.6%.

Without a French knowledge, it is easiest to find a job that does not require qualifications. This can be, for example, work by courier, loader, maid. With knowledge of English, you can see vacancies in the field of IT - these specialists in France are quite in demand, and there are many international companies in the country. Knowledge of French nevertheless greatly simplifies the search for work in all areas, since not all inhabitants even speak English well in large cities.

LinkedIn , as well as vacancies, such as Indeed , is quite popular to search for work in France.

Kindergartens and schools

Kindergartens (école maternelle) in France are not obligatory for visiting, but most children over three years old still go to them.

From the age of six, children go to primary school (école primary), where they have been studying for five years. Then four years - in secondary education institutions (école secondaire), this is college. After that, for three years, children have been studying in lyceums (Lyceé).

In France, there are both state and private schools. In the latter, especially if it is an independent boarding house that does not receive partial financial assistance from the state, the cost of training can exceed 30 thousand euros per year. In public schools, training is free, and if it is a guesthouse, you will need to pay only for accommodation - about 10 thousand euros per year.

First, parents need to contact the city hall at the place of residence, and then to the institution itself with a package of documents . The child must take a test so that teachers evaluate the level of knowledge of the program and language, after which they will decide in which class to determine it. If he does not speak French, he can still be credited, but in a special class for learning the language.

The procedure for enrolling in lyceum and colleges differs. It is also necessary to contact an organization called CASNAV (Academic Center for Teaching New arrived children). The consultant will appreciate the level of training of the child, after which he can be recommended for enrollment. It can be a regular class or adapted - for example, if a child has an insufficient level of French.

Higher education

Three types of higher educational institutions are distinguished in France: universities,

Higher and specialized schools.

The main training programs at universities:

Licence 1, 2, 3 . Three years later, the student receives a diploma that corresponds to the Russian Diploma of the Bachelor.

Master 1, Master 2 Recherche (Magistracy on Scientific Research)

or Master 2 Professionne L (professional magistracy). Campus France (the French State Center for Information on Higher Education notes that the trend is not prevailing to separate M1 and M2: a diploma can be obtained after training for two years.

Doctorat (obtaining the degree of Doctor of Sciences, analogue of PhD). It lasts three years.

In France, about 70 state universities. Introductory exams do not need to be passed in them. If this is a university connected to the Campus France procedure, you need to download documents for entering the études en france platform. Their list can be found on the center’s website. As a rule, these are originals and certified translations of diplomas into French or English, school certificate, work certificates (if it was), language certificates, CV in French or English. It will also be necessary to download a motivational letter - one for all programs or different.

If a person is already in France, you need to contact the university immediately for crediting. Similarly, for all programs in universities not connected to Campus France and graduate schools in all educational institutions.

In the 2019/2020 academic year, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research

Increased registration fees for foreign students:

Liceance - 2770 euros per year;

Master - 3770 euros;

DOCTORAT - 380 euros.

At the same time, a number of universities left the previous prices the same for French and foreign students. Whether the university left the same prices for both foreigners and citizens of France should be clarified on the website of a particular institution. If he decided not to change the contribution, he will be as follows:

Liceance - 170 euros per year;

Master - 243 euros;

DOCTORAT - 380 euros.

Higher schools differ from universities, they are considered more prestigious. They can be both state and private. For admission, it is necessary to finish preparatory courses (often within two to three years), and then pass exams. The cost of training varies from 2770 to 20 thousand euros per year. Higher schools gain fewer students than universities, the list of specialties there is not so vast. Another feature is cooperation with organizations and enterprises, which greatly simplifies the search and passage of internships, as well as employment after graduation.

Specialized schools include art schools, architectural schools, various design schools (for example, interior or landscape), cinematography schools and visual arts, and so on. The full list can be found on the Campus France website. The terms of receipt vary: in some cases, you must first take preparatory courses, and for admission, for example, a portfolio will be needed to the art school. The term of training and its value vary depending on the institution. Education in art schools can last from a year to five years. In state institutions, only a registration fee (2770 euros) must be paid, and the cost of private schools can reach 15 thousand euros.

There are also universities of a special type. Those students who want to get the degree of a doctor of sciences study there. For example, in école pratique des hautes études there are three directions: natural-scientific, historical-philological and theological.

In addition, there is Collège de France, which does not give out any diplomas: there they give lectures in various scientific areas. They are free for everyone.

Prices

The cost of life in France is highly dependent on the region. The most expensive city is Paris, which took 35th place in the ranking of the most expensive cities for foreign workers in 2023. Lyon (92nd place) and Toulouse (121st place) were also entered from mainland France.

Average products for products in the country:

cheese (kilograms) - approximately 16 euros;

Apples (kilograms) - 2.7 euros;

potatoes (kilograms) - 1.8 euros;

milk (liter) - 1.05 euros;

rice (kilograms) - 2 euros;

chicken (kilogram) - 11.13 euros;

Water bottle (1.5 liters) - 0.71 euros;

A dozen eggs - 2.6 euros.

Transport prices:

a trip by metro or bus - 1.7 euros;

a pass for a month - 64 euros;

taxi (per kilometer) –1.82 euros; landing - not more than 4.18 euros;

Gasoline (liter) - 1.9 euros.

The average price for lunch in a cafe is 15 euros. The cost depends on the city, such as the establishment and specific dishes.

Housing

The cost of renting or purchasing housing will greatly depend on the region. The most expensive is Paris. In the country, the average cost, according to the SE Loger service, is 22.1 euros per square meter when renting a one -room apartment, 15.5 euros - a two -room room, and 12.5 - three -room.

One of the main problems in lifting long -term housing in France is to search for someone who can vouch for you (guarantor). The guarantor can be physical (France citizen with stable income) or moral (special services). The physical guarantor must provide, including documents about his income. Moral guarantors are Visale and Garantme services. The first is free and suitable for students, the second is paid (for example, when renting an apartment for 500 euros per month, you will need to pay 270 for service).

Without a guarantor, it is almost impossible to rent non -tourist housing in France, not all landlords even accept Visale and Garatme.

Medicine

Foreigners with a Visa D or with a residence permit can receive free state insurance Carte Vitale, which allows you to reimburse most of the costs of healthcare (with the exception of a number of services, such as dentistry). About how to get Carte Vitale can be read on the Assaurance Maladie website (state insurance).

For a full coverage of expenses, you need to buy paid insurance. Its type and cost will depend on the purpose of your move to France. For example, it can compensate for the employer. Students can issue insurance for 110 euros per year and receive 100%compensation for treatment and medicine.

Benefits

Foreigners in France can count, in particular, on financial assistance from the Family Assembly Fund (CAF). This is a state organization that is engaged in various benefits. You can check what benefits you have the right to, you can on the CAF website . For example, partial reimbursement of housing rental. The amount of payment will depend on the region, the size of your income, marital status and other factors.

Even foreigners with a resident visa or residence permit are also entitled to unemployment benefits. You can find out more about this in the employment service (Pife Emploi).

Depending on the region for certain categories of foreigners (for example, students under 26 years old), there may be other benefits, for example, reduced fare, free campaigns or discounts on them.

Climate

France is in four climatic zones: Atlantic, Continental, Alpine and Mediterranean. In 2022, the average temperature in the country was +14.5 degrees Celsius. In the summer it was almost +22.7 degrees, in winter 2022–2023 - 6.6 degrees .

The climate in most of the territory of mainland France, except for mountain regions, is mostly moderate. In the northwest of the country, due to the Atlantic, high humidity, wind and a lot of rains. There are also a lot of precipitation in the mountains, and snow can go from three to six months a year.

Moving around the world

The French passport takes the second place in the Passport Index. With him, you can enter without a visa into 131 countries, among them - Great Britain, Japan and the UAE, in 42 countries, winners of French passports can get a visa upon arrival there. For trips to Russia, the owners of French passports require a visa.

Throughout the country there is a SNCF railway network that allows you to travel both through France and its limits. However, during nationwide protests and strikes, the train is often canceled, as the company's employees also participate in them. In Europe, you can also ride Flixbus buses.

Russian -speaking community

The French, especially in large cities, are friendly to migrants who came to work or study. However, for communication, it is most often one English cannot be dispensed with. So even if you do not need French, for example, at work, then for everyday life it is better to learn at least a minimum.

There are many groups in Facebook for Russian -speaking in France - here is one of them, for 11 thousand participants. You can look for them by cities: Paris , Marseille , Lyon , Toulouse . There is also a chat of the Ark project for emigrants in France.

Rights LGBTK+

Sobly marriages have been legalized since 2013, and LGBTK+ pairs from the same time is allowed to adopt children. The attitude of the society is also changing: for example, in 2019 a survey was conducted , 85% of the participants of which called homosexuality “an acceptable way of life”.

However, the SOS Homophobie association, helping victims of homophobia and transfobia, received 1195 appeals about cases of LGBTI-phobia in 2022. It also recorded the growth of transfobia by 27% compared to 2021, and by 35% compared with 2020.

How much does it cost to move

To move, depending on the city, at least three thousand euros are needed along with a flight, visa costs and temporary housing. For large cities, such as Paris and Lyon, this amount will be higher.