Complete breakdown of monthly expenses, salaries by profession, French tax system, healthcare, and PPP calculator. For expats and newcomers planning to move to France.
For a couple (2 adults). All amounts in EUR. Based on INSEE, real 2026 data, and expat reports.
| Category | Item | Low (EUR) | High (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||||
| Rent (T2 / 2-room apartment) | 700 | 1,100 | Charges comprises (with charges); Paris significantly higher | |
| Internet (box) | 30 | 45 | Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues; fiber widely available | |
| Mobile phones (2 forfaits) | 20 | 40 | Free Mobile 2 EUR plan or 19.99 EUR unlimited; very cheap | |
| Electricity / Gas (EDF/Engie) | 80 | 140 | Bouclier tarifaire (price shield) still partially active; nuclear energy base | |
| Housing subtotal | 830 | 1,325 | ||
| Food & Groceries | ||||
| Groceries (2 adults) | 450 | 650 | Lidl, Aldi, Leclerc, Carrefour; marches (open markets) for fresh produce | |
| Boulangerie / bakery | 30 | 60 | Baguette tradition ~1.20 EUR; croissants, pain au chocolat | |
| Food subtotal | 480 | 710 | ||
| Transport | ||||
| Monthly transit pass (2 persons) | 80 | 170 | Navigo 86.40 EUR in Paris; other cities 40-60 EUR each | |
| Occasional car / taxi | 0 | 150 | Blablacar, Bolt, Uber; autopartage in cities | |
| Transport subtotal | 80 | 320 | ||
| Health Insurance | ||||
| Securite Sociale (employee share) | 0 | 0 | Covered by cotisations sociales deducted from gross salary | |
| Mutuelle complementaire (2 adults) | 60 | 120 | Top-up private insurance; often employer-subsidized 50% | |
| Health subtotal | 60 | 120 | ||
| Personal & Lifestyle | ||||
| Clothes | 80 | 180 | Soldes (sales) twice yearly; Kiabi, H&M, Zara | |
| Personal care | 60 | 100 | Pharmacies are the go-to for skincare; parapharmacies cheaper | |
| Sport & leisure | 50 | 130 | Gym 20-40 EUR/month; association sportive 100-300 EUR/year | |
| Household supplies | 40 | 70 | Cleaning products, small items | |
| Personal subtotal | 230 | 480 | ||
| Insurance | ||||
| Assurance habitation (home insurance) | 15 | 30 | Mandatory for renters; covers fire, water damage, liability | |
| Responsabilite civile (liability) | 0 | 0 | Usually included in assurance habitation | |
| Insurance subtotal | 15 | 30 | ||
| TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES | ~1,695 | ~2,985 | Realistic range: 2,300 - 3,600 with buffer | |
Monthly gross salaries in EUR. Data from INSEE, APEC, Glassdoor 2026.
France uses prelevement a la source (withholding at source) since 2019, plus the unique parts fiscales (household quotient) system. Updated for 2026.
| Annual Taxable Income per Part (EUR) | Tax Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 11,294 | 0% | Tax-free allowance |
| 11,295 - 28,797 | 11% | First taxable bracket |
| 28,798 - 82,341 | 30% | Middle bracket |
| 82,342 - 177,106 | 41% | High earner bracket |
| 177,107+ | 45% | Top marginal rate |
| Contribution | Employee Rate | Employer Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSG (Contribution Sociale Generalisee) | 9.2% | - | On 98.25% of gross; 6.8% deductible from taxable income |
| CRDS (Contribution au Remboursement de la Dette Sociale) | 0.5% | - | On 98.25% of gross; non-deductible |
| Pension vieillesse (capped) | 6.9% | 8.55% | On salary up to plafond Securite Sociale (3,864 EUR/month) |
| Pension vieillesse (uncapped) | 0.4% | 2.02% | On full salary |
| Retraite complementaire (AGIRC-ARRCO) | 3.15% | 4.72% | Tranche 1 (up to plafond); higher above |
| Chomage (unemployment) | 0% | 4.05% | Employee share eliminated in 2018; employer-only |
| Assurance maladie (health) | 0% | 7.0% | Employer-only since 2018; covers Securite Sociale |
| Total employee cotisations | ~22-25% | ~42-45% | Employer cost is ~1.45x gross salary (super-brut) |
| Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Cotisations + Tax | Net Monthly | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,500 | 30,000 | ~700 | ~1,800 | 28.0% |
| 3,500 | 42,000 | ~1,100 | ~2,400 | 31.4% |
| 5,000 | 60,000 | ~1,800 | ~3,200 | 36.0% |
| 7,000 | 84,000 | ~2,800 | ~4,200 | 40.0% |
| 10,000 | 120,000 | ~4,200 | ~5,800 | 42.0% |
Compare how far your French salary goes in other countries. Based on World Bank/OECD 2025-2026 PPP indices. France = 100.
| Country | Currency | PPP Index | Region | 3,000 EUR buys equiv. of |
|---|
Comparing major French cities. Paris = most expensive baseline. Data: INSEE, Numbeo, SeLoger 2026.
| City | Avg Rent T2 (EUR) | Monthly Pass (EUR) | Meal Out (EUR) | Coffee (EUR) | Livability Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 1,200-1,800 | 86.40 | 15-30 | 3.50 | Most expensive; world-class culture, museums, cuisine |
| Lyon | 700-1,100 | 69 | 12-22 | 2.50 | Gastronomic capital; bouchons lyonnais; excellent quality of life |
| Marseille | 600-950 | 51 | 12-20 | 2.30 | Mediterranean vibe; bouillabaisse; improving infrastructure |
| Toulouse | 600-900 | 52 | 11-19 | 2.30 | La Ville Rose; Airbus HQ; aerospace hub; sunny |
| Bordeaux | 650-1,000 | 51 | 12-22 | 2.50 | Wine capital; elegant architecture; 2h TGV to Paris |
| Nice | 750-1,200 | 49 | 14-25 | 3.00 | Cote d'Azur; expensive but beach lifestyle; salade nicoise |
| Strasbourg | 550-850 | 46 | 11-18 | 2.20 | EU Parliament; Franco-German culture; choucroute, flammekueche |
| Nantes | 600-900 | 50 | 11-19 | 2.20 | Green city; near Atlantic coast; fast-growing tech scene |
France's healthcare is consistently ranked among the best in the world. It uses a two-tier system: Securite Sociale (base) + mutuelle (complementary).
| Feature | Securite Sociale (Base) | Mutuelle (Complementary) |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | Cotisations sociales (payroll deductions) | Monthly premium paid by individual/employer |
| Coverage | 70% of tarif de convention (standard rate) | Covers remaining 30% + extras (dental, optical) |
| Mandatory? | Yes, for all residents | Yes, employers must provide mutuelle since 2016 (ANI law) |
| Employer contribution | Fully employer-funded (cotisations patronales) | Minimum 50% of mutuelle premium |
| Self-employed | Covered via URSSAF/SSI | Must arrange own mutuelle |
| Reimbursement | Carte Vitale (tiers payant at pharmacies) | Automatic if linked to Carte Vitale |
| Service | Cost to Patient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GP visit (Medecin generaliste) | ~7.50 EUR (30% of 26.50 tarif) | With mutuelle: 0 EUR; medecin traitant (declared GP) gives best rate |
| Specialist visit (secteur 1) | ~7.50-15 EUR | Secteur 1 = conventional tarif; secteur 2 = depassements d'honoraires (extra fees) |
| Hospital stay | 20 EUR/day forfait hospitalier | Secu covers 80%; mutuelle covers forfait and rest |
| Prescription drugs | 0-35% co-pay | Drugs rated by effectiveness: vignette blanche (65% covered), bleue (30%), orange (15%) |
| Dental - basic | 70% covered | 100% Sante reform: certain crowns, bridges, dentures fully covered since 2021 |
| Optical | Partially covered | 100% Sante: fully covered glasses every 2 years (class A frames + lenses) |
| Mental health (MonPsy) | Covered (8 sessions/year) | MonPsy program: psychologist sessions reimbursed with GP referral |
| Maternity | 100% covered | All prenatal, delivery, postnatal care covered; 16 weeks conge maternite |
| Emergency (SAMU 15) | 80% covered | Call 15 for SAMU or 112 for Euro emergency; urgences at hopitals |
The French rental market has strong tenant protections. Understanding the garant system and APL housing aid is essential.
| French Term | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Loyer charges comprises (CC) | Rent including charges | Your actual monthly cost; includes building charges (water, garbage, common areas) |
| Depot de garantie | Security deposit | Maximum 1 month rent (unfurnished) or 2 months (furnished); returned within 2 months |
| Garant | Guarantor | Someone who guarantees your rent; must earn 3x the rent; often a parent or Visale |
| Visale | Free state guarantor | Action Logement provides free garant for under-30s, new employees, precarious contracts |
| APL (Aide Personnalisee au Logement) | Housing aid | Monthly rent subsidy from CAF; based on income, rent, location; apply on caf.fr |
| Bail mobilite | Mobility lease | 1-10 month furnished lease; no deposit required; for students, interns, temporary workers |
| Etat des lieux | Inventory of fixtures | Detailed inspection at move-in and move-out; protects your deposit |
| Preavis | Notice period | 1 month (furnished/zone tendue) or 3 months (unfurnished, non-zone tendue) |
| Treve hivernale | Winter truce | Nov 1 - March 31: landlords CANNOT evict tenants, even for non-payment |
| Platform | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SeLoger.com | All types | Largest property platform in France; essential for searching |
| Leboncoin.fr | All types | French classifieds; great for direct-from-owner (particulier a particulier) |
| PAP.fr | Direct from owner | No agency fees; particulier a particulier only |
| Bien'ici | All types | Aggregator; clean interface; includes agency and private listings |
| Appartager.com | Shared flats (colocation) | Best for colocation (flatshares); popular with students |
France has one of Europe's best rail networks (SNCF/TGV) and excellent urban transport in major cities.
| Transport Type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Navigo (Paris all zones) | 86.40 EUR/month | Metro, RER, bus, tram, Transilien; employer pays 50% = 43.20 EUR for you |
| Paris metro single ticket (t+) | 2.15 EUR | Carnet of 10 on Navigo Easy; valid for metro, bus, tram (not RER outside Paris) |
| Velib (Paris bike-share) | 37.60 EUR/year | V-Libre: 30min free per ride; electric bikes extra; 20,000+ bikes available |
| TGV Paris-Lyon | 25-120 EUR | 2 hours; book early on SNCF Connect (Ouigo from 10 EUR) |
| TGV Paris-Marseille | 35-150 EUR | 3h15; Ouigo budget option from 19 EUR |
| Carte Avantage (SNCF) | 49 EUR/year | 30% off all TGV/Intercites; great for frequent travelers |
| Autoroute tolls (peages) | Varies | Paris-Lyon ~35 EUR; Paris-Nice ~80 EUR; Liber-t tag for automatic payment |
| Car insurance (assurance auto) | 50-100 EUR/month | Assurance au tiers (third-party) mandatory; tous risques optional |
| Controle technique | ~80 EUR | Vehicle inspection every 2 years (4 years for new cars); mandatory |
France has some of the strongest worker protections in the world. The 35-hour week, RTT days, and CDI contracts define French work culture.
| Topic | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CDI (open-ended contract) | Contrat a Duree Indeterminee; the standard employment contract | Very strong protections; dismissal requires real cause and process; banks require CDI for mortgages |
| CDD (fixed-term contract) | Contrat a Duree Determinee; max 18 months (renewable once) | 10% prime de precarite at end; cannot replace permanent position long-term |
| Periode d'essai | Trial period: 2 months (workers), 3 months (supervisors), 4 months (cadres) | Renewable once; either party can terminate with short notice |
| 35-hour week | Legal working time; loi Aubry (2000) | Cadres (managers) often on forfait jours (218 days/year) instead of hourly |
| RTT days | Reduction du Temps de Travail; extra days off if working more than 35h | If your contract is 39h/week, you get ~8-12 RTT days on top of 25 vacation days |
| Conges payes | 25 days (5 weeks) paid vacation minimum | Accrued at 2.08 days/month worked; many conventions add extra days |
| Arret maladie (sick leave) | 3-day carence (waiting period), then CPAM pays 50% of salary | Many conventions collectives cover 100% from day 1; medecin delivers arret de travail |
| CSE (Comite Social et Economique) | Works council mandatory in companies with 11+ employees | Provides avantages: CE discounts on cinema, vacation, gifts, events; very French institution |
| Conge maternite | 16 weeks (6 before + 10 after birth); 100% salary | 26 weeks from 3rd child; conge paternite: 28 days |
| Droit a la deconnexion | Right to disconnect (law since 2017) | Employers cannot expect email/calls outside work hours; 50+ employee companies must have charter |
| Tickets restaurant | Meal vouchers; employer pays 50-60% of face value | ~9-11 EUR/day; usable at restaurants and supermarkets; Edenred, Swile, Sodexo |
France has a rich administrative culture. Knowing these phrases and customs will help you navigate daily life.
| French | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | Hello / Good day | bohn-ZHOOR |
| Merci beaucoup | Thank you very much | mair-SEE boh-KOO |
| S'il vous plait | Please (formal) | seel voo PLEH |
| Excusez-moi | Excuse me | ex-koo-ZAY mwah |
| Parlez-vous anglais? | Do you speak English? | par-LAY voo ahn-GLEH |
| Je ne comprends pas | I don't understand | zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHN pah |
| Ou est...? | Where is...? | oo eh |
| Combien ca coute? | How much does it cost? | kohm-BYEHN sah KOOT |
| Au revoir | Goodbye | oh ruh-VWAHR |
| Voila | There it is / Here you go | vwah-LAH |
| French Term | English | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Prefecture | Government office | Where you get titre de sejour (residence permit); non-EU citizens; book on ANEF online |
| Mairie | Town hall / City hall | For administrative tasks, marriage, local permits, elections registration |
| CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) | Family benefits office | Apply for APL housing aid, prime d'activite, allocations familiales on caf.fr |
| CPAM | Health insurance office | Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie; register here for Securite Sociale |
| Impots.gouv.fr | Tax authority website | File taxes online annually (May-June); declaration de revenus |
| Titre de sejour | Residence permit | For non-EU citizens; apply via ANEF portal; appointments at prefecture |
| Numero de Securite Sociale | Social security number | 15-digit number; needed for everything; apply via CPAM or employer |
| Attestation | Certificate/proof | France runs on attestations; you'll need them for everything (work, housing, insurance) |
What gross salary do you need? Here's the realistic breakdown for 2026.
| Lifestyle | Monthly Expenses (EUR) | Gross Salary Needed (EUR) | Net After Tax | Buffer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survival mode Colocation room, very frugal | 1,100 | 1,802 | 1,400 | +300 |
| Basic single Own flat outside Paris | 1,600 | 2,800 | 1,900 | +300 |
| Couple (mid-size city) 2 adults, comfortable | 2,600 | 4,200 | 2,900 | +300 |
| Couple (Paris) 2 adults, good lifestyle | 3,600 | 6,000 | 3,900 | +300 |
| Family with child 2 adults + 1 child, large city | 4,000 | 6,800 | 4,300 | +300 |