Teaching Abroad in Southern France: Where to Live, Work Permits and Local Job Boards

Hook: Frustrated by confusing listings, visa rules and sky‑high rents? Start here.

If you want to teach abroad in France — and specifically in the sunlit region of Occitanie — you’re not alone. Many teachers feel blocked by three recurring pain points: finding verified local openings, navigating French work permits, and locating affordable, commute‑friendly housing. This guide cuts through the noise with practical, step‑by‑step advice for 2026: where to look for jobs in Montpellier and beyond, exactly how to secure the right visa or employment status, and how to choose and secure housing using real property examples from Sète and Montpellier as context.

Executive summary: What you need to know first

• Who needs a permit? EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do not need a work permit. Non‑EU nationals generally need a visa and employer authorization — common routes are the VLS‑TS (long‑stay) for assistants, the Passeport Talent for skilled hires, or employer‑sponsored work permits.
• Where the jobs are: public schools (Académie de Montpellier), language assistant programs, international schools, private language institutes, universities and online platforms.
• Housing reality: Expect higher rents in Montpellier’s historic centre, good rail links from Sète (15 minutes), and cheaper country villas further out — but factor in commuting costs and time.
• Quick action checklist: prepare a French‑style CV and translated diplomas, verify visa category, build a rental dossier (or secure Visale/garant), and budget for deposit plus one month’s rent.

Why Occitanie — and why 2026 matters

Occitanie remains a high‑demand teaching region in 2026 for several reasons: expanding bilingual programs at primary and secondary levels, growing international student intake at universities in Montpellier and Perpignan, and regional recruitment drives that accelerated in late‑2025 to fill gaps left after pandemic adjustments. Local authorities have also increased digital job postings and centralized recruitment portals, making verified openings easier to find than in previous years.

Step 1 — Decide which teaching route fits your profile

Public school positions (Éducation Nationale and Académie de Montpellier)

Public jobs are competitive and usually require proficiency in French and certification. EU nationals can apply directly to the Académie de Montpellier postings. Non‑EU applicants may be employed as vacataires or as language assistants — shorter contracts that do not always require concours success but do require valid immigration status.

Language assistant programs and short‑term contracts

The classic route for native English speakers is the assistant de langue program (often administered via your home country’s cultural services or the French consulate). These roles typically use the long‑stay VLS‑TS visa category for assistants and last 7–9 months. They are ideal if you want a first entry point and time to learn French on the job.

International and private schools

International schools in Montpellier and across Occitanie (including AEFE and private bilingual schools) hire year‑round, often through international recruiters such as Search Associates and the Council of International Schools. These schools usually pay better, expect higher qualifications (state certification or international teaching certificates), and may provide relocation support.

Adult education, universities and online teaching

Remote and hybrid roles remain stable in 2026, and platforms like Preply, Superprof and university continuing‑education departments are reliable supplement income sources.

Step 2 — Where to find verified job listings (local job boards and portals)

Start with local, verified sources and then branch out to international recruiters. Prioritize listings that include contract type, salary, and visa support.

Primary local job boards and authorities

• Académie de Montpellier / Rectorat — official postings for public school roles and administrative notices.
• Pôle Emploi — national job center often lists private teaching and administrative education positions.
• Local municipal sites — some communes post openings for municipal schools and after‑school programs.

National and international job sites

• Indeed.fr, Monster.fr, LinkedIn — filter for Montpellier or Occitanie and verify employer credibility.
• Search Associates, Teach Away — for international school placements.
• AEFE / Mission Laïque Française (MLF) — networked French international schools with structured hiring cycles.

Expat and local networks

• Montpellier expat Facebook groups, university noticeboards, and Alliance Française events are excellent for informal leads and substitute roles.
• Local language schools (e.g., Berlitz or independent centres) often prefer to hire locally and post on community boards.

Step 3 — Work permits and visa routes (practical steps)

Short answer: your nationality and the job type determine the process. Here’s a step‑by‑step for the most common cases.

EU / EEA / Swiss nationals

1. No work permit needed — you have the right to work and live in France.
2. Register with local authorities where required, open a bank account and enroll in social security if employed.

Non‑EU nationals (most common routes)

1. Assistant de langue: secure a placement, apply for a long‑stay VLS‑TS visa as “assistant de langue” at your French consulate. On arrival, validate the visa with OFII.
2. Passeport Talent: for long‑term professional hires by a French employer. Employer initiates the work authorization; candidate applies for the visa at the consulate.
3. Employer‑sponsored work permit (salarié): Employer applies for authorization with the DIRECCTE or the appropriate labour office. After approval, apply for a visa and validate with OFII on arrival.

Key documents you’ll be asked for include a valid passport, job contract, proof of qualifications, criminal record checks (often the Bulletin n°3 or equivalent), and sometimes a medical certificate. Start embassy appointments early — slots fill quickly in peak hiring seasons.

Tip: Keep certified translations of diplomas and reference letters. ENIC‑NARIC equivalence notes speed some employer reviews.

Step 4 — Preparing an application that wins in 2026

Your application must be both local and international ready.

• CV (1 page): French format prefers brief summaries, dates on the left, clear headings: Formation, Expérience, Compétences, Langues.
• Lettre de motivation: Short, role‑focused, mention class levels you’ve taught, language competencies, and local ties or mobility plans.
• References: Provide contactable institutional referees; include short testimonials if available.
• Certifications: TEFL/CELTA/TESOL for English teachers; teacher certification for K‑12 roles; scanned, signed and translated copies.

Step 5 — Housing in Occitanie: example properties and real‑world advice

Housing choice depends on school location, transport, family needs and budget. Here are three representative properties to illustrate tradeoffs.

Example 1 — Sète: designer four‑bedroom house with sea views

Context: Sète is a compact port town about 15 minutes by regional rail from Montpellier. The featured four‑bedroom renovated house (listed in 2025 at about €1.595M) shows the premium on coastal, renovated historic properties. For a teacher, buying such a property is usually outside reach; however, renting in Sète gives seaside living, shorter commutes to schools in Montpellier by train, and a quieter lifestyle.

Practical takeaways:

• Renting in Sète is attractive if you value rail commuting and a smaller town community.
• Expect to pay more per square metre for renovated seaside properties; factor train passes into your budget.

Example 2 — Montpellier historic centre apartment

Context: Apartments in Montpellier’s historic centre are highly desirable for teachers working in city schools or universities. Being close to faculties, language centers and cultural life reduces commute time but increases rent.

Practical takeaways:

• Small one‑bedroom apartments near the centre are ideal for single teachers or couples; 2‑bedrooms for families are scarcer and pricier.
• If you teach in the city, prioritise walking or tram accessibility to save time and transport costs.

Example 3 — Montpellier outskirts / country‑style villa

Context: Country villas outside the city provide space and lower price per square metre. The tradeoff is car ownership and longer commute times. For families with children, these properties can be cost‑effective if you’re willing to drive.

Practical takeaways:

• Check school bus routes and consider local nursery/primary catchment rules.
• Budget for petrol, parking and winter road conditions if you choose a rural option.

Renting mechanics and negotiation tips

• Prepare a complete dossier: ID, three last payslips or contract, last tax notice, guarantor info, and an attestation d’assurance habitation. For non‑EU hires, employers often help with letters to landlords.
• Visale and guarantees: look into Visale (State‑backed rental guarantee) and private guarantors (GarantMe) if you lack a French guarantor.
• Deposit and lease: landlords usually ask for one month’s deposit for unfurnished and two for furnished. Read the bail carefully for maintenance and exit conditions.
• Negotiate start dates: if your visa timeline is uncertain, ask flexible move‑in dates or a later contract start.

Cost of living reality check (2026 trends)

In 2026, rents in Montpellier remain below Paris but above many regional French cities. Teachers should plan for:

• Higher central‑city rents versus suburban savings
• Utility and internet setup fees (fibre is widely available in Montpellier in 2026)
• One‑off relocation costs: visa fees, OFII stamp, bank and insurance setup, moving and deposit equal to 1–2 months’ rent

Practical relocation timeline checklist (9–0 days)

1. 9–6 months: Decide region and target school type. Start applications and gather translated diplomas and reference letters.
2. 5–3 months: Secure a job offer (or conditional offer). Book an embassy visa appointment. Begin apartment hunting remotely.
3. 2–1 month: Finalise housing, open a French bank remotely if possible, apply for Visale if needed.
4. Arrival week: Validate your VLS‑TS with OFII, register for social security, obtain housing insurance, and enrol children in local schools if relevant.

Language and cultural prep — what to prioritise

Strong French will open public school jobs. For international schools, English teaching competence and classroom management are primary, but basic French helps everyday life and landlord negotiations. In 2026, employers increasingly value digital teaching know‑how: build a short online portfolio or classroom video (with privacy permissions).

Salary, benefits and negotiating relocation support

Salaries vary widely: public sector pay scales are fixed; private and international schools set their own rates. Always ask employers about:

• Relocation allowance or temporary housing support
• Assistance with visa paperwork and administrative letters
• Time off for bureaucratic appointments (bank, OFII)
• Professional development and language training subsidies

Safety, background checks and legal must‑dos

Expect to provide criminal record checks, and get them translated and certified. If you’ll be working with children, secure any required background checks early. Register for healthcare and get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving if eligible — then switch to French social security upon arrival.

Local networking — accelerate your job search

Join these local sources to accelerate placements and housing leads:

• Montpellier expat and teacher Facebook groups
• Alliance Française Montpellier — for networking and language courses
• University and conservatoire noticeboards — often have part‑time lecturing roles
• Local teacher unions and professional associations — helpful for contract reviews

Final checklist — before you click send

• One‑page French CV + concise lettre de motivation
• Certified translations of diplomas and teaching certificates
• Criminal record checks and references ready
• Visa category identified and embassy appointment booked
• Housing search started (Visale or guarantor prepared)

Remember: Most successful teachers in Occitanie combine a verified local job search with a parallel plan for short‑term accommodation and language study.

Actionable takeaways

1. Start with the Académie de Montpellier and Pôle Emploi for verified local openings; supplement with Search Associates for international school roles.
2. If you’re non‑EU, identify whether your role fits VLS‑TS, Passeport Talent, or employer‑sponsored permits and book the consulate appointment early.
3. Choose housing based on commute: Montpellier centre for city jobs, Sète for seaside living with a train commute, and villas for families willing to drive.
4. Prepare a complete rental dossier and explore Visale or private guarantors to overcome local renting barriers.
5. Invest in basic French (B1+) if you want public sector jobs; prepare classroom tech demos for 2026 recruiters.

Closing — your next step

Ready to make Occitanie your next classroom and home? Start with two concrete actions today: 1) create a one‑page French CV and upload it to the Académie de Montpellier portal and LinkedIn, and 2) join a Montpellier expat or teacher group to scout short‑term rentals and first‑hand hiring tips.

For a downloadable relocation checklist, local job board links and a Montpellier housing cheat‑sheet with sample rental ranges and landlord negotiation scripts, visit srakarijobs.com/occitanie‑teachers (or sign up for our weekly Occitanie teaching alerts). For a practical host and short‑term landlord tool, check this review of property‑management tablets: NovaPad Pro for hosts.

Call to action: Sign up now for tailored job alerts, downloadable visa checklists and local housing guides — and get a 30‑minute review of your French CV from our senior editor.

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