Expat Health Insurance
Cigna Global Health Insurance - 10% off any plans bought in November and December 2023
With Cigna, you won't have to rely on foreign public health care systems, which may not meet your needs. Cigna allows you to speak to a doctor on demand, for consultations or instant advice, wherever you are in the world. They also offer full cancer care across all levels of cover, and settle the cost of treatments directly with the provider. Cigna is currently offering a 10% discount for seniors (over 60) on their Silver package.
Moving Internationally?
International Movers. Get Quotes. Compare Prices.
Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. By filling in a form, you’ll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget.
Get your free no-obligation quotes from select removal companies now!
You'll find the cost of living in both Zurich and Paris more expensive than in Houston, so you will need to ensure that there is a significant rise in your salaries to compensate for this.
Take a look at our cost of living pages for Zurich and Paris to get a picture of the type of expenses you'll need to budget for.
It is important to remember that in general houses in Europe won't be as spacious as those you are used to in Houston.
Buying property in Switzerland is very difficult for foreigners and so most will opt to rent rather than buy. If you decide to buy a place in Zurich you will need to obtain Type C residence permit. While you can get a 3 bedroom apartment for CHF 40,000, a stand alone family home will set you back over a million swiss francs. Read more about buying property on our Accommodation in Switzerland page.
The process of buying a property in France is quite regulated and becomes legally binding quite quickly, so don't rush into things. If you choose Paris, maybe rent for some time first before you decide to buy a place. Read our page on Buying Property in France for a more detailed overview.
Both Paris and Zurich are modern, cosmopolitan cities so you'll find that most people will speak good English. However, in both cases it will help you settle in if you can master a basic level of the local language.
Hope this information helps. Good luck.