Jeff Steiner's Americans in France.
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Q & AMoving/Living/WorkingMoving to the Var

Question: My wife and I are moving to Var and would like to know the credentials needed to get established and in what order the most important items should be attended to. I see the process as being as follows: Carte vital de Sejours Bank Accounts - open Credit Card Applications Obtain Car insurance Land personal vehicle at port Register vehicle locally.
What about Social Security card, validation of Driving License etc.
I am focusing on the bare essentials to get up and moving and the rest should fall into place.
We need temporary modestly priced accommodation as from about the end of July - like a motel, apartment or similar............and kennel for our dog if he is unable to stay with us. Any help you can provide will be much appreciated including suggestions on how to expedite each process.

Answer: I am not sure what you mean by "Carte vital de Sejours" a Carte Vital is a French national health card and Carte de Sejours is a long-term visa. You will need health insurance to get your Carte de Sejours, this can be bought in the states or in France. Once you have health insurance you will then get your Carte Vital. The other way to get a carte vital is to work for 70 hours in France.
You can get a Carte de Sejours in the states or come to France on a tourist visa and then get a Carte de Sejours. You will need a bank account to get a Carte de Sejours; this can be had with only a passport, or some way of proving you have enough money to live in France.
My suggestion is you get your Carte de Sejours in the states and then come to France. It might be easer, especially if your French is not the good.
What will be the hardest for you is finding housing. French landlords are very reluctant to rent to people that do not have proof of income. My wife and I had this very problem; the only way to over come this is to find a co-singer who will pledge to pay your rent if you can't or a nice landlord. We found both!
I would suggest you have a look at the following pages of my web site, if you have not already - Moving Planner.
There are not Social Security cards in France as in the states. A Carte Vital is as close as you are going to get. For validation of driving license see - Obtaining a License France or my Driving Study Guide.

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