Skip to main content
MumExpat

Settling in

Settling in London

London is quickly tamed, as long as you take the steps in the right order: each person's visa and digital status, the consular register, the National Insurance number, the local doctor, then housing and transport. Here is what we would have liked to know before arriving, checked against official sources.

Verified on 31 October 2026

Arrival and first steps

Since Brexit, nobody settles in London without a visa, and every family member has their own. The good news: almost everything is done online, including consular registration.

Good to know

  • Since 1 January 2021, working or settling in the UK requires a visa obtained before departure; only visits under 6 months are exempt, and those now require an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). Source
  • Partner and children under 18 apply for a 'dependant' visa attached to the working parent's visa: one application per person, linked by a family code, with an end date aligned on the main visa. Source
  • The visa application usually includes the Immigration Health Surcharge: it opens free access to the NHS from the first day of the visa, except prescriptions, dental and eye care for adults. Source
  • Residence status is digital (eVisa): set up a UKVI account for each family member and keep your share codes handy, they are requested to rent, work or enrol a child. Source
  • Registration with the French consular register is free, valid 5 years and done online on service-public.fr: French ID, photo under 6 months old, proof of UK address under a year old, and a birth certificate or family record book for each child. Source
  • Week 1, in order: UKVI account, National Insurance number application for whoever is working (only once in the UK, up to 4 weeks), GP registration for the whole family, bank account, then council tax with the borough. Source
  • Visiting grandparents need an ETA, babies included: it is applied for online before travelling and carries a fee. Source

Addresses

  • Consulat général de France à Londres

    Consulate

    21 Cromwell Road, SW7 2EN

    In the heart of South Kensington. Most procedures by appointment; passport and ID card collection at 6A Cromwell Place; emergencies welcomed Monday to Thursday 8:45 to 16:45 and Friday until 15:00. Pushchairs and changing bags allowed.

    Website Source

Go further

Housing: neighbourhoods and renting

French families follow the schools: around the Lycée Charles-de-Gaulle in South Kensington, the CFBL in Kentish Town or the Lycée Winston-Churchill in Wembley, each neighbourhood has its little France. The market moves fast and rental law changed in May 2026.

Good to know

  • Neighbourhoods with a French school are the most sought after by families: Clapham has a strong French community, Kensington, Wembley and West Hampstead are rising, and the very centre is getting hard; in zone 3 you gain space and often a garden. Source
  • London is the UK region with the highest average private rent: it is the biggest line in a family budget, well ahead of childcare. Source
  • Since 1 May 2026, tenancies are 'assured periodic tenancies' with no fixed term; the deposit must be placed in an approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits or TDS) within 30 days and returned within 10 days once the amount is agreed. Source
  • Before signing, the landlord must check your right to rent: a share code from your eVisa or your original immigration documents are enough, and they cannot refuse you for choosing one over the other. Source
  • Expect referencing (employer, previous landlord, bank) and lightning viewings: have your documents ready before you search. 'Furnished' does not always mean equipped; check the inventory with photos, the boiler and the window insulation.
  • Your rights and duties as a tenant in England (repairs, notice, bills) are summarised by the UK government; French-speaking relocation agencies exist if you are arriving from afar. Source

Addresses

  • South Kensington et Chelsea

    Neighbourhood

    The historic French quarter: Lycée Charles-de-Gaulle, consulate, Institut français, La Page bookshop and patisseries. Among the highest rents in town, often small flats.

    Source

  • Fulham, Parsons Green et Battersea

    Neighbourhood

    Houses with gardens, parks and bilingual schools (L'École des Petits, L'École de Battersea), French holiday camps. Very family-oriented, slightly more affordable than Chelsea.

    Source

  • Clapham

    Neighbourhood

    Strong French community, the Common for children, good links to the City and Victoria. A classic for young families.

    Source

  • Kentish Town, Camden et Hampstead

    Neighbourhood

    The north: CFBL in Kentish Town, Hampstead Heath and its ponds, Hampstead voted most desirable neighbourhood by Londoners. West Hampstead is rising.

    Source

  • Brook Green, Hammersmith et Kensington

    Neighbourhood

    École Jacques-Prévert in Brook Green, La Petite École française in North Kensington, Holland Park nearby; Kensington is on the up.

    Source

  • Marylebone et Paddington

    Neighbourhood

    EIFA on Portland Place and the École bilingue in Paddington, Regent's Park and Hyde Park for outings, and the Elizabeth line to Heathrow.

    Source

  • Wembley et le nord-ouest

    Neighbourhood

    Lycée international Winston-Churchill, bigger houses on a tighter budget, Metropolitan line and Elizabeth line into town.

    Source

  • Wimbledon, Richmond et Ealing

    Neighbourhood

    The south-west and west villages: royal parks, well-regarded English schools, direct trains to Waterloo or Paddington. Richmond ranks among the most sought-after areas.

    Source

Go further

Phone and insurance

The phone activates in minutes, the contract plan can wait for an address and a credit history. On insurance, only one is compulsory: the car.

Good to know

  • For the phone, a pay-as-you-go SIM or eSIM activates in minutes; a contract plan requires an address and often a UK credit history, which you do not have yet.
  • Car insurance is compulsory to drive in the UK, third party at the very least. Source
  • Tenant's contents insurance is not compulsory but recommended; buildings insurance is the landlord's responsibility. Think about family liability cover too, often bundled with contents insurance.
  • Watching live TV or BBC iPlayer, even on a tablet, requires an annual TV licence per household. Source

Banking and money

A UK account unlocks almost everything: salary, rent, direct debits. It is opened in pounds, at a high-street bank or from an app, and your French card tides you over for the first weeks.

Good to know

  • To open a current account, the bank asks for ID and proof of a UK address. If you are refused a standard account, ask for a basic bank account, with no overdraft, offered by the large banks. Source
  • Until you have a local account, your French card works everywhere, contactless included; check the fees for paying in pounds. Revolut offers UK accounts from its app: check on its website which documents are accepted for your status. Source
  • Day to day, people mostly pay by debit card, contactless or by phone: debit cards account for more than half of all payments, and cash for only a small share. Some cafés and leisure venues no longer take cash. Source
  • The UK is part of the SEPA area: a euro transfer from France reaches a UK account, but it is converted into pounds, at a rate and with fees specific to each bank. School fees and rent are paid in pounds, by transfer or direct debit. Source
  • Keep your French account, useful for taxes, insurance and holidays back home, but tell your bank you are moving outside the European Union: some adapt or close non-residents' accounts. If a bank refuses to open one, French citizens living abroad can apply for the right to an account through the Banque de France. Source

Addresses

Go further

Setting up your home

London has several IKEA stores, from the large suburban ones to the city formats in Hammersmith and Oxford Street, and almost everything can be delivered. For the rest: neighbourhood supermarkets, large shopping centres and a very active second-hand market.

Addresses

  • IKEA Wembley

    Furniture and home

    2 Drury Way, NW10 0TH

    Large store in north-west London.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Greenwich

    Furniture and home

    55-57 Bugsby's Way, SE10 0QJ

    Large store in the south-east, near the Greenwich peninsula.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Croydon

    Furniture and home

    Hesterman Way, Croydon, CR0 4UZ

    Large store in south London.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Hammersmith

    Furniture and home

    King Street, Hammersmith, W6 9HW

    City store in west London, reachable by Tube.

    Website Source

  • Tesco

    Supermarket

    The country's largest supermarket chain, from small Express shops to large Extra stores, with delivery.

    Website Source

  • Sainsbury's

    Supermarket

    Large supermarket chain, local shops and delivery.

    Website Source

  • Waitrose

    Supermarket

    Supermarket chain of the John Lewis Partnership.

    Website Source

  • Westfield London

    Shopping mall

    Ariel Way, Shepherd's Bush, W12 7SL

    Very large shopping centre in west London.

    Website Source

  • Westfield Stratford City

    Shopping mall

    Montfichet Road, Olympic Park, E20 1EJ

    Large shopping centre in the east, next to the Olympic Park.

    Website Source

  • Brent Cross

    Shopping mall

    Prince Charles Drive, NW4 3FP

    Shopping centre in north London.

    Website Source

  • John Lewis

    Appliances

    Department store: appliances, bedding, baby equipment, with delivery and installation.

    Website Source

  • Currys

    Appliances

    Appliance and electronics chain, stores and website.

    Website Source

  • Gumtree

    Second-hand

    UK classifieds: furniture, pushchairs, bikes.

    Website Source

  • British Heart Foundation, magasins solidaires

    Second-hand

    Charity shops and online shop: second-hand furniture and homeware.

    Website Source

Getting around with children

Tube, bus, Overground, Elizabeth line: everything is paid by contactless card with a daily cap, and children travel free or half price. A car is rarely necessary, and often expensive.

Good to know

  • A fare-paying adult can take up to 4 children under 11 for free; the 5-10 Zip Oyster lets a child travel alone for free on the whole TfL network, applied for online with their passport. Source
  • From 11 to 15, the 11-15 Zip Oyster gives free buses and trams and child fares on the Tube, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth line: essential from secondary school. Source
  • Pushchair: all buses are low-floor and the driver can lower the bus; the wheelchair space has priority, you share it or fold the buggy if a wheelchair user boards. On the Tube, spot step-free stations on the map or in the TfL Go app. Source
  • Your French licence remains valid in the UK until you turn 70 (3 years if you arrive aged 67 or over), then is exchanged for a British licence without retaking the test, using the DVLA's D1 form. Source
  • By car, the centre is subject to the daytime Congestion Charge and all of Greater London to the ULEZ, 24/7, for vehicles that do not meet the standards; a French-registered vehicle must be registered with TfL, even if compliant. Cameras issue fines automatically. Source
  • For train trips, the Family & Friends Railcard gives adults a third off and children aged 5 to 15 60% off; under-5s travel free. Source

Go further

Admin: NHS, taxes and the consulate

No carte Vitale or French-style social security number: the NHS is tax-funded and your contact is the GP. Income tax is deducted at source, and the consulate remains your town hall and prefecture.

Good to know

  • The National Insurance (NI) number identifies each worker with tax and welfare authorities: apply online once in the UK, you can start work before receiving it if you prove your right to work, and it is also needed for free childcare hours. Source
  • Income tax is deducted at source by the employer (PAYE); the tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. A Self Assessment return is only due with other income, and must be filed online by 31 January. Source
  • Council tax is the local tax paid by the occupier, based on the property's valuation band and the borough; tell the council you have moved in and ask for a discount if you live alone with your children. Source
  • A tax treaty links France and the UK; the embassy's tax attaché answers general questions from non-residents, but the French non-residents tax centre handles your French obligations. Source
  • What the consulate does: passports and ID cards, registration of births and marriages, consular register, means-tested school grants for AEFE-accredited schools, elections, exceptional social assistance. Source
  • What it does not do: British visas (Home Office), legal advice (it points to Citizens Advice), translations, and it does not cover your health or repatriation costs. Source

Go further

Budget: what costs more, what costs less

Two lines blow up a family budget in London: housing and childcare for little ones. On the other side, free museums, children's transport and the NHS lighten the bill. No precise figures, but here are the orders of magnitude.

Good to know

  • Housing: markedly more expensive. London has the highest average private rent in the UK; for the same space as in France, expect much more, and more still near the French schools. Source
  • Childcare: among the most expensive in the country. The universal 15 hours for 3 to 4-year-olds are open to all; the 30 hours for working parents (9 months to 4 years) depend on income and status, and cut the bill substantially when you qualify. Source
  • Transport: the adult season ticket is pricey, but under-11s travel free with you and 11 to 15-year-olds get free buses; a car-free family also saves insurance, parking and ULEZ. Source
  • Culture: the big national museums are free, temporary exhibitions aside; it is the opposite of France and it changes rainy weekends. Source
  • Health: NHS free once the health surcharge is paid; prescriptions are charged per item for adults and free for under-16s; NHS dentistry is free for under-18s. Source
  • Groceries: comparable to France in the big chains, sometimes cheaper at discounters; restaurants, cafés and alcohol markedly dearer. School: state schools free (budget for uniforms), French and private schools very expensive, see our school fees page.

Go further

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of London will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Consulat général de France à Londres
  2. 2 Conditions d'entrée et de séjour au Royaume-Uni (consulat)
  3. 3 GOV.UK, visas des conjoints et enfants
  4. 4 GOV.UK, protection du dépôt de garantie
  5. 5 Transport for London, Zip Oyster 5-10
  6. 6 ONS, loyers privés et prix immobiliers au Royaume-Uni
  7. 7 lepetitjournal.com Londres, où loger à Londres
  8. 8 UK Finance, rapport sur les moyens de paiement

Get updates to the London guide

Verified addresses, official sources, school-year dates: we write when the London guide changes, never more than once a week.

Other sections of the London guide

Report a change

A place has closed, a number has changed, something is no longer right? Please tell us: we check and fix the London guide.

What is going on?