Looking for French Expats in the United Kingdom?

Is the UK a good move for French expats? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what French expats in the UK wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• It's open, diverse, and international. Multiculturalism is the standout theme, and the French praise an open-minded, high-standard-of-living feel.

• Careers open up. 67% of expats in the UK say the move improved their career prospects, against a global average of 55%.

• It's easy to settle and travel. English is no barrier (77% find the language easy) and London's airports make trips abroad simple (82% rate the opportunity to travel positively).

• Getting set up is straightforward. 51% find bureaucracy easy, above the 38% global average.

• Housing and costs bite. Just 21% of expats in the UK rate housing affordability positively and 21% the general cost of living.

• Healthcare disappoints. Only 55% rate healthcare affordability positively, and the French often compare the NHS unfavourably with home.

• The weather and politics wear on people. Just 29% rate the climate positively, and Brexit and political uncertainty come up often.

• Friendships and social life take work. Only 33% say making local friends is easy and 55% rate locals as friendly.

For the French, the UK is open, international, and good for careers, with easy travel and no language barrier. The trade-offs are cost, healthcare, grey weather, and post-Brexit uncertainty. Overall happiness (63%) sits a little below the global average.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our French members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in the UK is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow French is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the British way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other French in the UK, residing in London, Glasgow, Cardiff and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of French in London or French in Manchester.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for French food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the British InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from France in the UK.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our the UK Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get foie gras in Glasgow.
• Search the InterNations Places database for the UK to get information on institutions from your home country, including the French embassy.

From the outstanding beauty of the Cotswolds, "the Heart of England" to Scotland's mist-shrouded highlands, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly French expats in the UK.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in the UK. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional British roast beef, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in London’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see super trendy amusement resort Brighton on the southern coast as well as other beautiful landmarks in the UK.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from France and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Bonjour from our French living in the UK!