Moving to Paris as an Expat: The Ultimate Guide
Everything an English-speaking newcomer needs to know about moving in Paris — from the permits the city won't tell you about to the building constraints that surprise everyone.
By Valeriu Sirbu · Updated 4 June 2026 · 3 min read
Moving to Paris is a project — not a transaction. The city is dense, regulated, vertical, and old. This guide gives English-speaking expats the operating manual we wish someone had handed us on day one.
Paris-specific moving constraints
Narrow streets and one-way logistics
Many streets in the 1st through 11th arrondissements are too narrow for a 20-ton truck. Your mover needs to know the street profile before quoting.
Parking permits (ASTT)
You cannot legally park a moving truck on a Paris street without an autorisation de stationnement temporaire (ASTT), issued by the Mairie of your arrondissement. Cost runs €60 to €100+ per spot, and the application takes 10 to 15 business days.
Crit'Air sticker and the Paris ZFE
Paris operates one of France's strictest low-emission zones. Trucks above 2.6 tons require a Crit'Air sticker rating of 1 or 2 to enter most of the city during weekdays.
Haussmann buildings: no lift, monte-meuble required
Most Haussmann-era buildings (built 1853–1870, dominant across the 7th, 8th, 16th, and 17th arrondissements) have no elevator. The solution is the monte-meuble — an exterior furniture lift that hoists items through windows. Cost in Paris: €350 to €600 per day.
Window dimensions and door clearances
Older Parisian buildings have non-standard door and window dimensions. A professional inventory walkthrough identifies these issues before moving day.
Best arrondissements by expat profile
Expat families with school-age kids
16th, 7th, 8th arrondissements — international schools, parks, large apartments. Higher rent, calmer streets.
Neuilly-sur-Seine and Boulogne-Billancourt — very popular with American and British families, family-sized housing at a slight discount.
Young professionals and tech workers
11th, 10th, 3rd arrondissements — vibrant nightlife, coworking spaces, restaurants, great metro coverage.
9th and 17th arrondissements — gentrifying fast, good restaurant scene, well-connected.
Students and early-career
5th, 13th, 14th arrondissements — proximity to Sorbonne and grandes écoles, lower rents than the Right Bank.
Creative and freelance
11th, 18th (Montmartre), 20th (Belleville) — eclectic, multicultural, more affordable.
Estimated moving costs in Paris
Expect a 15 to 25 percent premium over a mid-sized French city for the same volume.
| Home size | Local Paris move | Long-distance to Paris (500 km+) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (8–12 m³) | €800 – €1,400 | €1,800 – €2,600 |
| One-bedroom (T2, 15–20 m³) | €1,300 – €2,200 | €2,400 – €3,800 |
| Two-bedroom (T3, 22–30 m³) | €2,000 – €3,200 | €3,400 – €5,200 |
| Three-bedroom (T4, 32–45 m³) | €3,000 – €4,500 | €4,800 – €7,500 |
Why you want an English-speaking mover
A French-speaking mover will quote you correctly. An English-speaking mover will coordinate with you correctly — on the dozens of small decisions that come up.
On Mon Meilleur Déménageur, you can filter for partners who explicitly offer English-speaking coordinators. We match expat clients with bilingual partners by default.
Documents you'll need as a non-French resident
If you're new to France, three administrative items hit during your first week:
- Justificatif de domicile (proof of address) — needed for everything from opening a bank account to registering at the Prefecture.
- OFII registration (for visa holders) — must be done within 3 months of arrival.
- Carte Vitale registration with social security (Ameli) — start the process as soon as you have a residence address.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a parking permit to move in Paris?
Yes. Parking a moving truck legally in Paris requires an autorisation de stationnement temporaire (ASTT) from the Mairie of your arrondissement, applied for 10 to 15 business days in advance. Without it, your truck risks fines and tow-away.
Are there English-speaking movers in Paris?
Yes. Several Paris-based moving companies offer English-speaking coordinators for expat clients. On Mon Meilleur Déménageur, you can filter partners by English-speaking service when requesting your quote.
What is a monte-meuble and do I need one in Paris?
A monte-meuble is an exterior furniture lift used to move large items through windows when stairs or elevators are too small. In Paris, it's frequently required in Haussmann buildings without elevators. Cost: €350 to €600 per day.