Have you just had a unique professional experience abroad and are you preparing to take over management in France? So that your return to France is as smooth as possible, do not wait for your expatriation period or that of your colleagues to come to an end, follow the guide Nomamundi.
Anticipate so as not to be disoriented
The feedback from expatriates all points in the same direction; a poorly prepared return turns out to be complicated. The challenge is to re-acclimatize yourself to your country of origin while carrying out a large number of procedures. THE psychological, social and administrative impacts of an expatriation are not negligible.
The more time you have spent abroad, the more complex your situation is and you will need to take action in advance. A family with children in school who has been expatriated for several years will have more difficulty reacclimatizing than a young graduate sent abroad for a few months by their employer.
In order for reintegration to go as smoothly as possible, a return to France is being prepared as much as a departure on a personal and professional level. To return as calmly as possible, the ideal is even to see this stage as an adventure which is similar to a new expatriation.
Administrative impact: housing, health… leave nothing to chance
The stages of return with the first in line administrative procedures are numerous and require a lot of organization and patience. If you have kept ties with France or your expatriation was short-lived, the transition will be smoother.
Impacts on your daily life
Have a address in France is the sine qua non condition for being able to… do everything! If you are not lucky enough to have accommodation or a guarantor, the search can be tedious. Your foreign pay slips do not necessarily reassure the owners... You will only be able to continue the journey once you have your precious sesame (proof of address). If you have children, you will need to request their reintegration into the French school system or find daycare. If you have spent a good part of your life abroad, you may even be “out of the loop” and you will sometimes have to:
- Re-register with the CPAM to obtain a Vitale card,
- reopen a bank account,
- reapply for financial aid (CAF, APL, etc.),
- regularize your situation with the tax administration…
Impacts on your professional life
If your expatriation is not supervised by your employer, you will have to re-enter the professional world. The job search for you and/or your spouse may be more or less complicated depending on your profiles.
When you leave, make sure you bring all your professional supporting documents (employment contracts, pay slips, etc.). They will be essential for registering with Pôle emploi if necessary, carrying out validation of acquired experience (VAE) or asserting your retirement rights. Whether your expatriation went well or not, whether you are returning from a European Union country or not, the impact of these time-consuming administrative procedures is not negligible and always a source of stress.
Some tips to save time
To facilitate your return, consider simulator set up by Service-public.fr “ What to do if you come back to live in France? » Simply enter the parameters relating to your situation abroad to find out the steps to take and the administrations to contact. THE retro schedule personalized information offered at the end of the questionnaire can save you valuable time.
Many procedures can be initiated/finalized on the Internet from the country of expatriation (moving logistics, customs formalities, etc.). Don't forget to carry out your deletions (register of French people abroad, consular electoral list, etc.). And if your family situation has changed (marriage, birth, etc.), check that your civil status documents are up to date.
Psychological impact: keep your spirits up when you return!
Beyond the formalities, do not neglect the psychological impact returning to your country of origin. Depending on the location and duration of your expatriation, returning to reality will be more or less complicated. You are not safe from the blues if you go from a heavenly environment to an office in a Defense tower... The change in the daily rhythm and less clement weather will also have an impact on your morale and that will is completely normal.
Reacclimatize gently
After many years spent abroad, the loss of bearings which resembles a culture shock is classic. You will sometimes have to get used to the French mentality again, do not underestimate this transitional stage. Some former expatriates speak of “re-impatriation” and advise giving time to limit its impact. They advise returning to a place of refuge (family home, etc.) or to the place where you were before leaving. To land softly, consider resuming a social life before embarking on a new professional routine.
Avoid comparing and only keep the positive
If the expatriation went well, a part of you will inevitably stay there. Know that during the reacclimatization period you will oscillate between the sadness of having left a great adventure and the joy of having had the chance to experience it. Feelings that are incomprehensible to your Franco-French relatives! Stay positive and if life seems dull, do a little Skype with your friends/colleagues who stayed there before going back on vacation.
And if necessary, get help…
Coaching, return conferences, psychological support... everything is possible to help you better cope with the feeling that can overwhelm you of being a foreigner in your country. You can also contact an association (France Retour Accueil, etc.) or join networks run by former expatriates. Don't neglect the impact of an international move on your children either, open a dialogue to avoid any trauma.
Many companies prepare their employees for expatriation, but few for return. To return with peace of mind, contact the experts Nomamundi and if you wish to go back to work abroad, they will also be at your side with practical advice adapted to each destination…