Are Relocation Companies Worth It? My Honest Review of Expat Services France

I’ll be honest: I’m usually not a fan of relocation companies. Too many take advantage of expats, overcharge for basic services, and create more confusion than clarity. So when someone in my Facebook group mentioned they were considering a company called Expat Services France, I was skeptical; but curious enough to schedule a call.

That call was with Sophie Dord, the founder and manager of Expat Services France. She started the company 17 years ago in Lyon, and today her team supports both individuals and companies relocating anywhere in France. After speaking with her and reviewing their service list and pricing, I came away with a very different impression than I was expecting.

What Expat Services France Actually Does

One of the first things Sophie clarified is that they are not real estate agents. They are relocation specialists : meaning they guide clients through the practical, administrative, and logistical parts of settling into a new city.

They help with:

• Understanding your project and lifestyle expectations

• Budget guidance and market realities

• Support for long‑term rentals and temporary housing

• Check‑in inspections, bank account opening, utilities, etc.

Their core specialty and the service most people hire them for is finding rental housing, both temporary and permanent.

They began in Lyon, where they are widely considered the local experts, but they now have consultants in all major French cities, including Montpellier, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Rennes, Lille, Aix-en-Provence, Nice, etc. In Lyon she mentioned that they have relationships with local banks which can evenopen bank accounts for expats without a French address before they move. This is a huge benefit for anyone planning to move to have a French IBAN before you even land in France.

Their Pricing: Surprisingly Reasonable

This is where my skepticism softened.

Their Lease Pack, which includes rental search, application support, accompanied visits, lease review, and help securing home insurance, costs:

• Just under 2,000 € (VAT included)

Given how challenging the French rental market can be, especially for foreigners this is a very competitive price. Many relocation companies charge over € 5000 for a comparable service.

They also offer a Complete Pack that adds check‑in support and utility setup for an additional ~400 €. If you are concerned with the "états des lieux"; this could be worth adding, while for a lot of people the lease pack will be sufficient for their needs.

Why I Think This Service Can Be Worth It (Even If You’re Usually DIY)

If you’ve followed my content for a while, you know I’m a huge believer in doing most of your move yourself:

• You can apply for your visa yourself.

• You can set up your healthcare yourself.

• You can manage your finances yourself.

But the rental search is the one part of moving to France that can be genuinely stressful, especially from overseas.

Real estate agents often refuse virtual visits. Some won’t respond to foreign applicants. And competition in many cities is intense.

So if you were going to pay for one piece of support, this is the one I’d recommend.

For under 2,000 euros, you get someone on the ground who can:

• Visit properties for you

• Advocate for your application

• Navigate the local market

• Handle the admin details

• Reduce the stress of searching from abroad

Honestly, even as a French–American who moved from the U.S. to Rennes, I would have loved to have known about Sophie’s company at the time. It would have saved me a lot of frustration as real estate agencies refused to offer us virtual visits or rent to us without an in person visit.

Who This Service Is Best For

Expat Services France is a good fit if you:

• Are moving from abroad and need someone local to visit properties

• Don’t speak French well enough to navigate agencies

• Want to reduce stress during your move

• Need help understanding the rental market in your target city

• Are relocating to Lyon (their strongest region) or any major French city

• You must have a passable rental file. If you don't have a job, pension, or material savings, even a relocation company would struggle to find a rental property.

If you’re comfortable doing everything yourself and you’re already in France, you may not need them, but many still appreciate the support.

Final Thoughts

I went into my call with Sophie expecting to confirm my skepticism about relocation companies. Instead, I found a team that offers fair pricing, transparent services, and real value, especially for rental searches.

You can find Expat Services Website here

If you decide to work with them, feel free to tell them that My Best Money Life sent you (I receive a small referral bonus). And if you have questions about the process, I’m always happy to help.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links or recommendations on this page may be affiliate partnerships. This means that if you choose to work with Expat Services France and mention My Best Money Life, I may receive a small referral benefit. I only recommend services I genuinely believe offer real value to expats.