Last updated: October 2026.
In short: plan the housing search first, because it is usually the longest step. Allow roughly three weeks to two months, depending on the employee’s profile and budget and on the neighbourhood. I coordinate the whole relocation as one point of contact (housing, administration including opening the Ameli account, daily life) and, for specialist matters such as visas and residence permits, I work with expert partners who can find the best solution for each situation.
1. Before arrival: the housing brief
Agree on the essentials with your employee as early as possible: budget, size, neighbourhood, commute, schooling, pets, start date, and furnished or unfurnished. The type of lease follows from this (see our guide: which lease should expats choose). Many new hires have no French guarantor: our guide explains the options.
2. How long it takes
It depends on the search period, the type of property, the employee’s budget and the location, so a precise timeframe is hard to give. As a rough guide, count between three weeks and two months, and it can be shorter or longer, particularly when the property is in high demand, the file is complicated, or the search falls in the peak relocation season. Consider temporary accommodation if the search runs past the start date.
3. First weeks: administration
Your HR team knows French procedures well. What I add is time saved: I take care of opening the Ameli account for your employees, as well as the other administrative steps: bank account (our guide), energy, internet and phone contracts, home insurance, school or daycare enrolment, and registration with the CAF.
4. One point of contact for the whole relocation
From the first viewing to the last administrative step, I coordinate every task, so your employee settles in smoothly and HR does not have to chase several providers: housing search and lease, bank account, insurance, utilities and phone, school enrolment and daily-life setup. For specialist matters such as visas and residence permits, I work with expert partners who can find the best solution for each situation.
5. Every profile, every budget
I work with all types of profiles, from executives with a high housing budget to employees with a more modest one. The search, the application file and the timeline are adapted to each case.
How I can help
One point of contact for HR and for the employee, from the housing search to settling in. See our relocation services, read our FAQ, or book a free 30-minute call.
FAQ
How long does it take to find an apartment for an employee?
Roughly three weeks to two months, sometimes more or less (see above).
Do you only work with high housing budgets?
No. I work with all types of profiles, from higher to more modest budgets.
Do you handle visas and residence permits?
Immigration is a specialist field. I work with expert partners who can find the best solution for each situation, and I coordinate this with the rest of the relocation.