Moving to French Polynesia with Family: Visas, Costs and Schools

Last checked: September 2026. Work authorisation rules, protected job lists, flight routes and prices in French Polynesia change often. Treat figures as a starting point for your own research. One point, work authorisation for EU citizens, is marked as unconfirmed in the text below.

French Polynesia may be the most extraordinary place you can live under the French flag: 118 islands in the South Pacific, spread over an ocean area about the size of Europe. It is French, with French schools, French as the official language and a French hospital system, but it is not the European Union, and it does not work like mainland France. It has its own currency, its own government, its own rules on work and residence, and its own social security system. Life here is beautiful, outdoor and slow, and it is also expensive and very far from everywhere. This guide explains how a family can move there, what it costs, and what to check before you commit.

Go straight to: Can we live and work there? · What jobs do families move for? · Healthcare · Schools · What it costs · Where to live on Tahiti

What is French Polynesia, and how is it different from mainland France?

French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France with a high level of self-government. It has its own president, government and assembly in Papeete, which make laws (called "lois du pays") on many subjects, including work, tax, health insurance and much of education. The French state, represented by a High Commissioner, keeps defence, justice, policing, nationality and immigration.

Key points for families:

• It is not part of the EU. In EU law, it is an "overseas country and territory" (OCT). EU free movement rules do not fully apply.
• It is not in the Schengen area. A Schengen visa does not allow entry.
• The currency is the CFP franc (XPF), pegged to the euro. 1,000 XPF is worth about €8.38, so 100,000 XPF is about €838.
• French Sécurité sociale does not apply. The local system is the CPS.
• The time zone is UTC−10 in Tahiti. When it is 8 am in Tahiti, it is 7 or 8 pm in Paris and 10 or 11 am in Los Angeles.

About 280,000 people live in French Polynesia, and around two-thirds of them live on Tahiti. The islands are grouped into five archipelagos: the Society Islands (including Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora), the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, the Austral Islands and the Gambier Islands. French is the official language. Tahitian (reo Tahiti) is widely spoken and taught in schools, and English is common in tourism.

Can we live and work there?

The answer depends on your nationality, and work is the part to check most carefully.

French citizens

French citizens can live and work in French Polynesia freely. However, some jobs give priority to long-term residents (see below).

EU citizens

EU citizens can enter with a passport or national identity card and stay. If you stay more than three months, you should register your residence with the State services. But you do not have an automatic right to work. French Polynesia's own guidance says that anyone who is not a French national, including EU citizens, must obtain a work authorisation before taking a job. The employer applies to the Polynesian employment authorities. It is usually granted for one year and can be renewed. The published guidance we found dates from 2017 and 2018, and we could not confirm on an official website in 2026 whether EU citizens still need this authorisation or whether any exemptions now apply. Ask the employer and the Polynesian employment service (SEFI) to confirm in writing before you resign from your current job.

Where this stands, 27 October 2026: the requirement for EU citizens to hold a work authorisation is taken from Polynesian guidance published in 2017 and 2018. We have not found an official 2026 source that confirms or withdraws it, so we are treating it as still in force. The "last checked" date at the top of this page means we re-read the page; it does not mean this point was confirmed. Before you resign from anything, get it in writing from the employer and from SEFI.

Non-EU citizens

Many nationalities, including US, Canadian, UK, Australian and New Zealand citizens, can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. To live there, you need a long-stay visa issued for French Polynesia, which you apply for through the official France-Visas system by choosing French Polynesia as your destination. A visa for French Polynesia is not valid for mainland France or the Schengen area, and a French or Schengen visa is not valid for French Polynesia. After arrival, you apply for a residence card (carte de séjour) at the High Commission in Papeete, and it usually needs renewing each year at first.

To work, you also need a work authorisation, which your employer requests before your visa application. Plan three to six months for the full process. Our guide to visas for moving abroad with family helps you organise the documents.

Local job protection

French Polynesia has a law protecting local employment. For a list of protected professions, employers must give priority to candidates who have lived in French Polynesia for a set time (3, 5 or 10 years, depending on the job), if they have the same qualifications and experience. The list is updated every year and has included jobs such as teachers, nurses, pharmacists and restaurant staff. A more recent law also protects local candidates for jobs in the Polynesian civil service. This does not stop newcomers from working, but it can make it harder to find a job after you arrive, especially for a second partner.

What jobs do families usually move for?

Most families who move to French Polynesia arrive with a job or posting already arranged. The common routes are:

• The French state. Teachers in state secondary schools, military staff, gendarmes, magistrates and other state civil servants are posted from mainland France. Their base pay is multiplied by a coefficient, roughly 1.84 on Tahiti and higher on some other islands. The coefficient stops if you do not live there, for example during a long medical evacuation.
• Healthcare. Doctors, specialists, nurses and midwives are in demand, especially outside Tahiti. Health professionals must register with the local professional bodies, and some roles are on the protected list.
• Tourism and hospitality. Hotels, resorts, diving centres and cruise operators, especially on Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti. Senior roles may be open to international staff.
• The pearl industry, fishing and aquaculture. Tahitian black pearls are one of the main exports, with farms in the Tuamotu and Gambier islands. It is a small sector with few roles for newcomers.
• Remote work. Internet is good on Tahiti, and an international submarine cable connects the islands. But the time zone is hard for European clients. It works better with North America, New Zealand or Australia.

If one partner is following the other, read can your partner work there? early. In French Polynesia, it is often the deciding question.

Planning your own move? Get our free 120-task family relocation checklist and cost planner, so you can see every step before you start. Get the free checklist

How does healthcare work?

French Polynesia has its own social security fund, the CPS (Caisse de prévoyance sociale). It has three schemes:

• RGS (régime général des salariés), for employees. Your employer registers you and contributions are taken from pay.
• RNS (régime des non-salariés), for self-employed people and residents who do not work. Contributions are based on your income.
• RSPF (régime de solidarité), a safety net for residents on very low incomes.

Anyone who lives in French Polynesia for more than six months must be covered by one of these schemes. If you come from mainland France, your French cover generally stops once you move, so do not rely on your Carte Vitale. Registration takes time. Keep international health insurance, with evacuation cover, until the CPS confirms your rights, and consider keeping it longer for care abroad.

The main public hospital, the Centre Hospitalier de la Polynésie française, is at Taaone in Pirae, on Tahiti. There are also private clinics in Papeete. Care on Tahiti is good for most needs. On the outer islands, there are small hospitals or clinics only, and patients are flown to Tahiti. Some specialist care may mean a flight to mainland France or New Zealand. Dengue is present, and ciguatera, a type of food poisoning from some reef fish, is a local risk: ask locals which fish are safe. Our guide to healthcare abroad for families helps you plan cover.

What are the schools like?

Schools follow the French national programme and prepare children for French exams, the brevet and the baccalauréat. In French Polynesia, education is largely run by the local government, with the French state paying most teachers and awarding diplomas. The school year starts in mid-August, earlier than in mainland France. State schools are free and teach in French, with Tahitian language and culture on the timetable.

• Private schools. There are several Catholic and Protestant private schools under contract, mostly on Tahiti. They follow the same programme, with modest fees.
• Tahiti International School, in Punaauia, is a private bilingual school from kindergarten to secondary level. It teaches mainly in French with English throughout, combining French standards with content based on the English national curriculum. It is working towards International Baccalaureate (IB) membership but is not yet authorised to teach the IB. Places are limited, so apply early.
• Outer islands. Many smaller islands have only primary schools. Secondary pupils often move to Tahiti or another larger island and board during the week. If you are posted to a remote island with teenagers, ask about schooling before you accept.
• University. The University of French Polynesia is in Punaauia. Many students go on to mainland France.

There are no British or American schools. If your child is in the IB Diploma or A levels, you will need a plan, such as distance learning or boarding elsewhere. Our guide to choosing a school abroad explains what to ask.

How much does it cost to live there?

French Polynesia is one of the most expensive places in France. In 2022, the local statistics institute (ISPF) found that prices were about 31% higher overall than in mainland France. Food was about 45% higher on average. For a household buying a typical mainland-French basket of food, the gap was about 80%. For a household eating mainly local products, it was about 17%.

What this means for your budget:

• Local fish, fruit (such as pineapple, mango and papaya), root vegetables and baguettes (whose price is regulated) are reasonable.
• Imported dairy, cheese, meat, cereals and many packaged foods are expensive.
• Cars, electronics and household goods cost far more than in Europe or North America.
• Electricity is expensive, and air conditioning adds up.
• Flights home are a major yearly cost.

There is no personal income tax in French Polynesia. Salaries are subject to a progressive contribution called the CST (contribution de solidarité territoriale), deducted by the employer, plus social contributions. Prices include high consumption taxes. How your income is taxed depends on where you are tax resident and where your income comes from, so treat this as a question to check with a qualified adviser before you move. Use our family relocation budget guide to plan your own figures.

Where do families live on Tahiti?

Most families live on the west or north coast of Tahiti, near Papeete, where the jobs, schools and hospital are. Traffic into Papeete is heavy at rush hour, so living close to work and school makes a big difference.

Area	What it is like	Good for
Papeete	The capital: offices, the port, the market, flats rather than houses. Busy and noisy in the centre.	Short commutes, families who prefer apartment living
Punaauia	West coast, lagoon beaches, sunset views, shopping centres. Popular with families and newcomers.	Beach life, Tahiti International School, larger homes
Arue	Residential, east of Papeete, with homes on the hillsides and the coast.	Quieter family life, close to the city
Pirae	Next to Papeete, residential and practical, home to the main hospital.	Health staff, families who want everything nearby
Faa'a and Paea	Faa'a is near the airport. Paea is further along the west coast and more rural.	Lower rents, more space, longer commutes
Moorea	A separate island, about 30 to 45 minutes from Papeete by ferry. Calm and green.	Remote workers, families wanting a slower pace

As a rough guide from local listings, a three-bedroom flat on Tahiti often rents for about 140,000 to 180,000 XPF a month (roughly €1,200 to €1,500), and a family house for about 220,000 to 350,000 XPF (roughly €1,850 to €2,900) or more near the lagoon. Many rentals are unfurnished and appliances are expensive, so ask what is included. Our guide to why where you live is the biggest decision helps you think through the trade-offs.

How do you get there?

Tahiti's international airport is at Faa'a, next to Papeete. It is about 16,000 km from Paris. From Europe, you usually fly Paris to Papeete with one stop in the United States:

• Air Tahiti Nui and Air France fly via Los Angeles.
• French Bee flies via San Francisco.

Door to door, the trip takes about 20 to 24 hours. Because the stop is in the United States, every passenger needs a US travel authorisation (ESTA) or a US visa, even to change planes. This matters for family members whose nationality needs a US visa: check early, or plan a route that avoids the US.

Other routes connect Tahiti with Auckland (useful for New Zealand and Australia), Tokyo, Honolulu and several US West Coast cities. Air Tahiti Nui ended its Seattle route in January 2026, and routes change often, so check current schedules. Between the islands, the domestic airline Air Tahiti and inter-island ferries and cargo ships connect the archipelagos.

What is the climate like, and are there cyclones?

The climate is tropical. The warm, wet season runs roughly from November to April, with heavy rain and high humidity. May to October is drier and a little cooler, with trade winds. Cyclones can occur between November and April. Tahiti and the Society Islands are hit less often than places in the western Pacific, but storms do happen, and the low-lying Tuamotu atolls are more exposed. Tsunami warnings are taken seriously, and each commune has evacuation plans. Learn the local alert system when you arrive.

What do families find hard?

• Distance. Grandparents in Europe are a day's travel and about 11 or 12 hours of time difference away. Calls need planning. Flights for a family of four are a major expense.
• Island life. On Tahiti, you can drive around the whole island in a few hours. Some teenagers love the outdoor life. Others feel shut in.
• Cost. Even with a good salary, budgets need care.
• Work for the second partner. A small job market and local job protection make it hard to find work after arrival.
• Belonging. Polynesian culture is warm and family-centred. Newcomers who learn some Tahitian words, join a va'a (outrigger canoe) club or a local association, and respect the land and the sea are welcomed. Those who stay inside an expat bubble can feel like outsiders.

The rewards are exceptional: lagoon swimming after school, hiking in green valleys, whales from July to November, a strong sense of community, and children who grow up bilingual in a Pacific culture. For the wider picture of France's overseas territories, read our guide to French overseas territories for families.

If Tahiti is one of several ideas, compare countries for a family move side by side before you go deeper.

Your checklist before you say yes

1. Get the job offer in writing, including salary in XPF, housing help, flights and contract length.
2. Confirm the work authorisation for every non-French adult who will work, and ask whether the job is on the protected list.
3. If anyone is not an EU citizen, confirm the long-stay visa for French Polynesia and the residence card process.
4. Check that everyone can transit through the US, or choose another route.
5. Arrange international health insurance until CPS cover is confirmed.
6. Apply to schools early, especially Tahiti International School.
7. Build a budget in XPF, including rent, a car, electricity and flights home.
8. Talk to families who live there now about neighbourhoods and schools.

Frequently asked questions

Is French Polynesia part of the EU?

No. It is French, but in EU law it is an overseas country and territory, not part of the EU. It is also outside the Schengen area and uses the CFP franc, not the euro.

Can EU citizens work in French Polynesia?

They can live there, but local guidance says EU citizens need a work authorisation, requested by the employer. Some jobs also give priority to long-term residents. Confirm the current rules with the employer and SEFI before you move. As of October 2026 we have not been able to confirm this on an official source, so treat it as a question to settle in writing before you move.

Do I keep French Sécurité sociale in Tahiti?

Generally no. French Polynesia has its own system, the CPS. Employees join through their employer. Keep private health insurance until your CPS cover is confirmed.

Are there English-speaking schools in Tahiti?

Tahiti International School in Punaauia is bilingual, teaching mainly in French with English throughout. There are no fully English-medium British or American schools.

How long does it take to fly to Tahiti from Europe?

About 20 to 24 hours door to door, usually with a stop in Los Angeles or San Francisco. You need an ESTA or US visa for that stop.

Not sure whether French Polynesia is right for your family? Take the 2-minute family destination quiz to see which destinations match your priorities. If you are also considering mainland France, read our guide to moving to France with family.

Want the whole move in the right order? The Global Relocation System takes your family through all five stages, Decide, Prepare, Transit, Arrive and Thrive, with a master checklist, planning templates and a budget tool. See what is inside the system