Looking for British Expats in Paris?

It is easy to fall in love with Paris. Getting used to life in France can take a bit longer. Discover the advantages of living in the French capital as well as the everyday challenges British residents can face.

Pros of life in Paris

Culture and food are a part of everyday life. Picking up fresh bread, meeting friends in a cafe or walking around exploring new neighborhoods can make ordinary life enjoyable.

Health care works well. Once you understand which local doctors to attend or app to use, you can feel like a local in Paris. Everything is available online, and you don’t have to spend hours just calling around.

You don’t really need a car. You can easily reach many places by using public transport or getting around on foot.

A Good place for travelling. By using a quick train, you can visit any other country in Europe. Brits praise how close Paris is to other interesting, and welcoming places.

Cons of life in Paris

Finding a flat can feel like a competitive sport. Rents are high, apartments are often small, and good places disappear quickly. You may need patience and ideas about how much space the kitchen really needs.

Bureaucracy and taxes frustrate. Only 24% find it easy to deal with local authorities, and Brits cite high taxation and ever-changing rules.

Dinner happens later than your British stomach expects. If you are used to an early British dinner, Paris will encourage you to embrace later meals.

The metro has a personal relationship with the stairs. It takes you almost everywhere, but traveling with your suitcase can turn a simple journey into a small fitness challenge.

For Britons, Paris delivers culture, food, world-class healthcare, and a beautiful, walkable base for exploring Europe. The trade-offs are the housing costs, the paperwork, and a cooler social welcome. If lifestyle and culture matter more to you than convenience, it's hard to beat.

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 British members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Where can I meet other Brits in Paris?

If you would like to meet other Brits in Paris, you can try The Bombardier, a British-style pub near the Panthéon or The Frog & Rosbif just around the corner of the oldest market street. These places are popular with British and other English-speaking expats, especially during football, rugby and other major sports matches.

The British Community Committee of France hosts semi-regular events, and our InterNations events are also a great opportunity to meet Brits and other English-speaking expats in Paris. Our Newcomers’ Events are geared towards introducing newcomers to the community, which makes finding friends a whole lot easier than trying your luck in a bar.

Where do British live in Paris?

Quite a few of our British members live in the more international parts of town. Both international companies and opportunities for international socializing tend to be located in the center of the city. Here are some of the most popular parts of Paris:

Le Marais: Popular among young entrepreneurs, fashion designers, and influencers. Good walkability and packed with cafes, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

The 16th Arrondissement: Quite good for families, safe and close to parks and international schools. Areas such as Passy, Auteuil, and Trocadéro are especially well known for their international community.

The 7th Arrondissement: Great for expats seeking an elegant and close to international institutions area. Good choice for people who want to live near the Eiffel Tower and central Paris.

How much money should I make to live in Paris?

The average salary for jobs in Paris is around 3,750-4,600 EUR per month (before taxes). If you’re making at least this amount, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Earning between 7,500-10,000 EUR gross per month is considered a good salary for a family.

Will I be able to survive in Paris without speaking French?

Paris is an international city that attracts many tourists every year. It is possible to get around with no to limited French, especially in central areas, but it can feel limiting. You will usually face the language barrier when you need to complete official paperwork, find a flat, see a doctor, or apply for jobs.

Ideally, treat your time in Paris as an opportunity to learn some French. There are many language schools and City of Paris courses for beginners and language apps that can help you improve in your own time and on your budget.

We’re not just in Paris! InterNations has lively communities in 420 cities around the globe.

So if you’re thinking about relocating or are simply in the mood for a nice night out while visiting Paris, InterNations is your go-to platform. As a member, you’re welcome to join events in any of our InterNations Communities.