By HAPPY IN FRANCE & Majorelle Mobility
A happy family = confident player
HAPPY IN FRANCE is an agency that supports international talents, including athletes and their families, in building a fulfilling life in France through tailored coaching, trainings and cultural integration programs. We know from experience that if the partner isn’t happy, the relocation can quickly become a struggle and that can directly affect the player’s well-being and performance. A happy family means a focused, confident player. Over the years, we’ve supported many incredible women through this transition. For example, we currently host French classes for the wives of a Top 14rugby club : a safe and friendly space to learn, share andbuildfriendships around Frenchcultureandlanguage. We also guide women through personal coaching, helping them reconnect with their identity, set new goals and sometimes even launch their own business here in France. These are real success stories. They foster confidence, well-being and empowerment. And when the partner feels supported, the entire family thrives.
That’s why we work hand-in-hand with clubs: to ensure families feel welcome, safe and grounded to build a happy life in France! But emotional and cultural integration isn’t the only challenge.There are also legal and administrative challenges to consider.
International mobility: what rights for spouses?
When a high-level athlete relocates to France, their family often follows. As Majorelle Mobility highlights, the legal framework surrounding the spouse’s immigration status plays a crucial role in enabling (or hindering) professional and personal integration.
From an immigration standpoint, the “Talent Passport » status allows the athlete to work in France under a secure legal framework. In theory, this permit also enables the spouse to apply for a “Talent Passport – family”, which grants both residence and the right to work.
However, depending on administrative delays or personal circumstances, some spouses arrive on a visitor visa, limiting their rights and delaying access to employment, healthcare (PUMA), or family benefits (CAF, CPAM). Some other are looking for their own immigration route (long stay visa as employee or as free-lancer).
Without work authorization, professional integration becomes difficult, and establishing legal residence can be challenging, a key requirement for French social security registration. Access to PUMA (Universal Health Protection), as well as registration with the CAF (family benefits office) or CPAM (health insurance fund), involves specific procedures that are often misunderstood. Legal anticipation is essential to avoid gaps in coverage and ensure a smooth transition.
This is why our two agencies complement each other.
While HAPPY IN FRANCE works closely with families and clubs to ensure emotional, cultural and social integration, Majorelle Mobility, the international desk of Majorelle Avocats, specializes in labor and immigration law, assisting high-level athletes and their families throughout the relocation process to ensure legal clarity and effective access to social rights and benefits in France.
Successful integration in France is a holistic process — it’s not just about visas or language. It’s about getting the right support from trusted experts. Because in the end, it’s about creating a life where the whole family feels safe, supported, and empowered. When both the legal and human dimensions of relocation are handled with care, the athlete can truly thrive — on and off the field.
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