The Carte Vitale: Scams to Avoid & FAQs

green carte vitale which gives access to the French health insurance program

As expats living in France, we are far more susceptible to potential phishing scams, all the more so when we are desperate to finally have that elusive carte vitale we’ve heard so much about! Watch out for these common carte vitale scams and read the answers to these FAQs carefully so that you can determine the legitimacy of texts, emails, and phone calls you may receive from the French health insurance program (Assurance Maladie).

International Driving Permit for French Driver’s License

French international driving permit booklet

Since I am no longer a US resident, I no longer hold an American driver’s license. This made me wonder… what will I do when I return to the United States to visit family and friends and I need to drive a car? Can I drive and/or rent a car in the USA with my French driver’s license? The short answer… yes! For all the details and requirements, including how to request an International Driver’s Permit to accompany your French license, read on!

Traveling to the United States With Your French Partner

American passport and French passport side by side

If you are an American citizen traveling to the United States of America with your French partner, there are certain considerations that you should keep in mind. Afterall, different nationalities come with different passports which, in turn, come with different restrictions. Here are some things you need to think about to ensure a smooth trip back to the USA with your chéri.e.

Language Requirements for Immigration to France

girl reading on a Paris café terrace with a coffee, pack of cigarettes, and ashtray on the table

If you’re considering moving to France, you may be wondering if knowing French is required for immigration. That’s a great question to ask, as France only has one official language—French! Different levels of French are required at different stages of the immigration process and for certain residence permits. Let’s take a look at the details of the language requirements in France, from your first visa to your carte de séjour to French nationality.