Coucou!

Hi, I moved to France in January and have been looking for a US-based remote job since. I’m learning French but not fluent enough for work, but that hasn’t been the issue. This might be a long, too-negative response, but I want you to have all of the information in my brain bc I’m going through it now. Also my experience is only through the lens of France + US. I’ve heard it’s easier from Portugal and Spain. Also, there seem to be more remote jobs coming out of the UK and Ireland from what I’ve seen lately.

1. Having the legal right to be employed in France has been challenging, and even the US companies willing to hire you also need you to have that right. France and some EU countries have different labor laws than the US, and even though big companies may be willing to hire you through an EOR, you still need to have the legal right to work wherever you live. So get the right visa.

2. Many US companies are going through return-to-office mandates and are requiring employees to live within a certain driving distance from the office. I keep hearing this in interviews for remote work— they want to know you live nearby. I guess you could lie but I’m not sure what the repercussions would be if you got caught? Especially if you don’t have the legal right to work wherever you’re living.

3. In France, you can work freelance with an entrepreneur visa, but there are regulations around having 1 long term client (aka an employer) in order to close the loophole.

4. Ofc time zone challenges. I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal for any independent contributor type roles, but it’s an added layer to all of the complexity already laid out, and so far it’s been the icing on the cake for employers to move on to another candidate in my experience.

All that said… I LOVE LIVING HERE! It’s been emotionally challenging to find work (I’ll take literally anything, I’m not picky!), but it’s been worth it 1000x over to be here. My community is stronger, I feel healthier, I’m happier, it’s wonderful. Just do your homework and maybe pick your country based on where it’s easier to find work? Also fill your savings account as much as you can while you’re making a US salary :)

And if anyone out in the Rec League universe is needing someone with a background in marketing, wine (sales, production, education), and who loves building processes/managing operations— I’m your gal ✨