If you’re wondering ‘am I too old to move to France’ – generally I think there should be no age limit to make a dream come true. But there are things to consider. And you have to be realistic says Janine Marsh, editor of The Good Life France, a partner of The French Property Show – a twice a year event held in the UK which helps Brits move to France with expert advice in every sphere from finding your dream property to organising visas, currency transfers, health care, finances and much more.
How old is too old to move to another country?
Most people who ask me “Am I too old to move to France” are in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and are non-EU citizens. And my first bit of advice is always to be seriously honest with yourself. Do you speak the language, if not are you prepared to learn? Do you make friends easily? Do you have the sort of personality that can cope with things being different from what you’re used to? And how well do you know the place you’re moving to?
Location, location, location
Spend time, not just a week-long holiday in the place you’re moving to, go for at least a month if you can, and aim for a winter stay, or, if it’s a tourist destination with hordes of summer visitors, go in those peak summer months to make sure it really is what you want. Young people may have the energy to pick up, pack up and move on, but if you’re older, this isn’t the time of life to be starting all over again, again.
Learn the language
New rules for residence permits in France mean that from 2026, you may need to speak a fairly good level of French to attain your residence card. But aside from this, learning the language is essential if you want to make the most of your new life in France. And if you have health issues, it’s important that you are able to communicate with the professionals.
Bureaucracy
If you can afford professional help to make the move and settle in, it can really help to ensure a smooth and stress-free transition – from visa applications to residence cards, health care and more. Even if you speak reasonable French, you may not want to deal with the paperwork and online systems. Generally if you’re an older mover, you’re not going to be working so there’s less to set up and once it’s done, there’s a lot less admin to take care of.
Finance and inheritance planning
France is a law unto itself. Operating under Napoleonic inheritance law can make life difficult for expats when it comes to inheritance planning. So, get professional advice about your will, inheritance and gifting – before you come to France.
Have your investments reviewed by qualified professionals before the move because some investment plans held outside of France could mean you pay more tax or have difficulty with reporting requirements etc. There may be better alternatives.
Healthcare
French healthcare is superb, however be aware that until you get your residency card, which enables you to apply for healthcare, you may need to take out private medical insurance.
Be prepared for surprises
It doesn’t matter how much you plan, there will be things that surprise you – whether that be the amount of paperwork that is generated from buying a hone, sorting out your residency card, registering for healthcare, or running a business.
Head to The French Property Show in the UK to get personalised advice from top relocation experts in an exclusive, crowd-free setting on every aspect of moving to and living in France from visa and residency requirements to reliable real estate and financial advice and much more.
The next French Property Show takes place:
11th and 12th April 2026
Held at Cheltenham race course in their historic Hall of Fame venue (free parking, no ULEZ!), this is the event to help you make your dreams of a new life in France come true.
Get your free tickets at: thefrenchpropertyshow.com
Enjoy!
Join clubs and groups to make new friends. Get a rail card for over 60s that gives you a big discount on travel – hop on the train and explore. Go to the markets and buy your food locally, ski, dance, do yoga, learn to cook, paint, write – whatever takes your fancy!
So, to go back to that question “Am I too old to move to France?’, my answer is that age doesn’t matter if you can deal with these issues and want to experience joie de vivre…
Janine Marsh is the author of several internationally best-selling books about France. Her latest book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life. Find all books on her website janinemarsh.com
