Riyadh is changing at full speed: driven by Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world and the capital welcomes thousands of new expat families every year. The French-speaking community is growing with it, around a large French school and a welcome association founded back in 1981.
Currency
Saudi riyal (SAR)
Languages
Arabic (English covers daily life)
Time vs Paris
1 to 2h ahead
Emergencies
911
FIAFE network
The Accueil for French-speaking families
In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.
Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil
Since 1981
Since 1981, the Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil has supported the French-speaking families of the Saudi capital: travel-prep coffees, desert outings, cultural visits and receptions at the French Residence.
Where to meet them
No fixed drop-in: first contact happens by email and through the members' WhatsApp group.
Café-voyage sessions to plan getaways (Oman, AlUla, the Eastern Province)
Desert outings, all the way to the spectacular Edge of the World
Cultural visits (Murabba Palace) and receptions at the French Residence
A members' WhatsApp mutual-help group
Other support networks
Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.
UFE
UFE Riyadh et Al Khobar
The UFE chapter for Riyadh and Al Khobar welcomes newcomers and keeps the kingdom's French community busy: galette des rois, pétanque, iftars and a Franco-Saudi golf tournament.
The local Français du monde - ADFE section supports French residents of Riyadh with their paperwork and relays their concerns to the consular authorities.
The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.
CCI France International
Conseil d'affaires franco-saoudien (CAFS)
The reference Franco-Saudi business council in Riyadh, with over 250 members: themed gatherings, networking events and delegations to build a professional network and help French families settle into work.
To follow local life in French: news, what's on, good addresses and, often, a directory of French-speaking professionals.
Arab News en français
MediaIn French
The French-language edition of the Saudi daily Arab News: news from Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, culture, economy and travel, useful for following life in the kingdom in French.
Saudi Arabia's online encyclopaedia, in French: history, places, culture and institutions of Riyadh and the kingdom, handy for planning outings and school projects.
Before you even land in Riyadh, Facebook groups are the best shortcut: ask your questions, find a flat, a nanny, a second-hand stroller, and often your first friends.
Very active Public In English
Expatriates Riyadh Saudi Arabia
100,400 members · ≈ 1,144 posts/week
Expatriates are listings for jobs, apartments, items for sale. Place a free ad. Find what you're looking for today!
This group is dedicated to providing high-quality, practical insights about Saudi Arabia. Whether you are a local, an expat, or planning a visit, you’ll...
Expats in Saudi Arabia - Living and Working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
31,900 members · ≈ 5 posts/week
WELCOME to the 29TH year of expatsinsaudiarabia! One of the Oldest ENGLISH online groups for Saudi Arabia
**********THIS IS NOT A JOB VACANCY SITE DO...
This group is for all expats who live in Riyadh and have info to share on: job vacanices, current events, exhibitions, shopping destinations, restaurants,entertainment (if any) etc. Please refrain from posting any personal details or offensive materials.
Lets make an effort to make a GREAT MOMMY CLUB where we support each other and help each other grow as mothers,motherhood is not easy and no you are not...
Moms in Riyadh KSA is a community where we can share experience,ask questions, find things to do, organise events and chat.
When you join you will be...
Compiled from Facebook's public search, links checked in July 2026. Group sizes change all the time.
AEFE network
Accredited French schools
Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.
Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr
Tutoring and private lessons
To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.
Axiom Academic
Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.
Nearly 1,600 pupils in the homologated network: the École française internationale de Riyad (AEFE-affiliated) covers the full curriculum, and the École de cité académique française (partner school) completes it from middle school to seconde.
Good to know
EFIR, in the An Nada district, teaches from nursery to final year and serves as an exam centre for the brevet and the baccalauréat.
ECAF, opened in 2018 in Al Shuhada, is homologated from sixième to seconde.
The school weekend is Friday-Saturday in Saudi Arabia: timetables follow.
With so many families arriving, apply as soon as the relocation is confirmed: key entry years fill up fast.
French-speaking community
Long under the radar, Riyadh's French community is growing as the kingdom opens up. The Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil has been its rallying point for over forty years.
Good to know
The Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil (FIAFE network) has welcomed families since 1981.
UFE Riyadh and Al Khobar keeps the community busy, from galette des rois to a Franco-Saudi golf tournament.
Most expat families live in compounds: the choice of residence shapes social life.
The Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) hosts the French embassy and large green spaces open to families.
A place has closed, something has changed?
The arrival reflex
The apps to download when you land
Drop your bags, download these and you're set: the apps everyone in Riyadh uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.
Getting around
darb
The official Riyadh transport app: plan your journeys across the new metro and bus network, buy tickets, and check live timetables.
What mums ask when they arrive in Riyadh, in short, sourced answers.
French school or international school: where to start?
The École française internationale de Riyad, an AEFE-affiliated school, covers nursery to final year; places go first to French pupils or those from a homologated school, with a waiting list. Contact admissions as soon as the move is confirmed, before choosing housing. Fees are detailed at /en/cities/riyadh/school-fees/.
Yes: health insurance is mandatory for foreign employees and their families, and private-sector employers must provide it. Without valid cover, the children's iqama is neither issued nor renewed. Check the policy's paediatric and maternity cover; everything is explained at /en/cities/riyadh/health/.
Source ↗How do I find a paediatrician, ideally French-speaking?
You freely choose a paediatrician in a private clinic or hospital within your insurance network. The embassy publishes an indicative list of French-speaking doctors, with two paediatricians in Riyadh, which we reproduce at /en/cities/riyadh/health/.
Source ↗Which number do I call if my child is ill at night?
911 for any life-threatening emergency: it is the unified number for the Riyadh region, with multilingual operators. For medical advice, the Ministry of Health's 937 answers 24/7, and your private hospital has its own emergency department.
Most expat families choose a compound, for the pool, security and other children; housing is often part of the package. The deciding factor remains distance to school, as the city is huge. Neighbourhoods are reviewed at /en/cities/riyadh/settling-in/.
Follow up with the employer on everyone's iqama and health insurance, set up Absher, open a bank account once you have your iqama, get a SIM card, and register with the French consulate, free, online and valid for 5 years. Details at /en/cities/riyadh/settling-in/.
Once you are resident, you need to exchange it for a Saudi licence. The process involves the driving-rights certificate, a copy certified at the embassy, a translation by an approved translator, then an appointment on Absher.
Source ↗Nanny, housekeeper: how do I arrange childcare?
Many families hire a domestic worker, which makes you the employer and sponsor: recruitment and the contract go through the official Musaned platform. Private nurseries and kindergartens are plentiful; EFIR takes children from petite section (age 3).
Source ↗My children speak neither Arabic nor English: is that a problem?
Not at the French school, where everything is in French with Arabic and English taught. In daily life, English is enough almost everywhere. To keep French culture alive, rely on the school libraries, Riyad Accueil and the UFE: our addresses are at /en/cities/riyadh/family-outings/.
Is Riyadh expensive for a family?
It all depends on the package: housing, school and insurance weigh heavily if not covered. On the other hand, salaries are not subject to income tax and fuel is cheap; 15% VAT does apply to purchases. Details at /en/cities/riyadh/settling-in/.
Since 13 October 2026, after strikes on Riyadh and its airport, the French embassy has asked nationals to avoid non-essential travel and follow the authorities' instructions. Read its latest message before leaving, register with the consulate and follow its official accounts.
Source ↗Where can I meet other French-speaking mums?
The Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil, a FIAFE member, has welcomed newcomers since 1981: coffees, visits, desert outings and a mutual-help group. UFE Riyadh runs family events all year, and the EFIR school gate does the rest.
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