Citizenship costs, Linky and sex: 6 essential articles for life in France
US President Donald Trump recently put a $5 million price tag on a new 'gold' green card residency programme for anyone wealthy who fancies living in the USA.
France, famously, doesn't have a golden visa scheme, but becoming a citizen here requires you to be 'sufficiently economically integrated'. But, what does this mean in cash terms? Will you be penalised for being on minimum wage or accepting social benefits? And how much does it actually cost to become French? (Spoiler: it's a bit less than $5 million).
The media-enhanced popular image of an 'undocumented migrant' is one propagated by – mostly – hard-right, anti-immigration parties loudly and carelessly brandishing the term 'illegal immigrant'.
More commonly, however, it includes people who initially moved here legally, but whose visas have since lapsed; those who married a French citizen, either overseas or following their arrival, and who mistakenly believe that their marriage gives them automatic residency rights in France; or those whose circumstances have changed since they arrived – which, might, invalidate their rights.
Importantly, any non-French and non-EU citizen living in France who does not hold proof of their right to residence may be considered to be an undocumented migrant. It is, however, possible to become legally resident.
We all know about the importance of getting several quotes before having building work done – but the French 'devis' sits somewhere between a quote and a contract. Here's how they work, and why getting one is important.
French property: What is a 'devis' and why should you get one?
, and how they will be applied to flights.
From summer 2025, . The mundane household fixture has become the centre of much misinformation and even conspiracy theories over the years. Here, then, is what's really going on with France's Linky meters.
What is a French Linky?
The French are often stereotyped as romantic and sexually liberated, but what are their sex lives actually like? France's national medical research institute conducted an in-depth study on the issue, from the number of partners, frequency of having sex and diverse sexual practices.
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