Business
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €140,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard French rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat tax 'Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique')
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% plus potential surcharge
- VAT
- 20% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict French anti-tax avoidance legislation
- Property Tax
- Taxe Foncière (annual, rates vary by commune)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% (Notary fees and transfer taxes)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific 0% nomad visa; requires 'Auto-Entrepreneur' status for lower social contributions
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €96,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €63,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €145,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €95,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €220,000)
Transportation
- Public Transport Passes
- LE MET - Monthly pass €42.50; Mettis (BRT) lines A & B are very efficient
- Regional Travel
- TER Fluo Grand Est trains to Nancy (€10), Luxembourg (€17), or Strasbourg (€25)
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is active; Bolt is limited; Taxis de Metz (03 87 66 59 56)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Velomet (at the train station) – €15/day; Tier electric scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Metz Plage (seasonal artificial beach on the Moselle); Lac de Madine (45 mins drive)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air France (via Luxembourg Findel Airport or Paris CDG)
- Top International Airline
- Luxair, Lufthansa (accessible via Luxembourg Airport, 45 mins away)
- Highway Access
- A31 (North-South linking Luxembourg and Nancy) and A4 (East-West to Paris/Strasbourg)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare de Metz-Ville (stunning historic station, TGV to Paris in 1h20m)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital Mercy (CHR Metz-Thionville) - 1 Allée du Château, 57085 Metz
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Shala Metz (Rue de la Fontaine) – classes from €18
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Basic-Fit (multiple locations including Muse) – approx. €24.99/mo; Keepcool Metz Centre
- Laundry Services
- Laverie Speed Queen (34 Rue Mazelle) – €4.50 per wash
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats, Deliveroo
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Quiche Lorraine (authentic style), Mirabelle Plum Tart
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Eve (6 Rue de l'Abreuvoir) - great plant-based bowls
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie Fischer (Place d'Armes) for local Mirabelle specialties
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Couvert (Covered Market) for fresh produce; Lidl on Route de Thionville
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr, Cdiscount.fr
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Livré chez vous, Houra.fr
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Place Saint-Louis and Place Saint-Jacques
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie Bonpoison (13 Rue du 20e Corps Américain)
- Wine Bars
- La Reserve (7 Rue de la Trinité) – excellent selection of Moselle wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Le Kiosque à Burgers (Place de la République)
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Vita è Bella (Italian) at Place Saint-Louis
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Cathédrale Saint-Étienne (Lanterne du Bon Dieu), Centre Pompidou-Metz
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée de La Cour d'Or (history and archaeology)
- Historical Sites
- Porte des Allemands (medieval fortified bridge-gate)
- Religious Sites
- Temple Neuf (scenic spot on the Moselle island)
- Annual Events
- Fêtes de la Mirabelle (August), Christmas Market (one of France's largest)
- Cultural Districts
- Quartier de l'Amphithéâtre (modern, surrounding the Pompidou)
- Theater Venues
- Opéra-Théâtre de Metz (the oldest working opera house in France)
- Local Markets
- Saturday Market at Place de la Cathédrale
- Music Scene
- La BAM (Boîte à Musiques) for contemporary concerts
- Street Art
- Le Parcours d'Art Urbain (Urban Art Trail in the Borny district)
- Cooking Classes
- Cuisine Aptitude (nearby in Strasbourg) or local workshops at Marché Couvert
- Art Galleries
- Galerie Octave Cowbell
- Historic Buildings
- Gare de Metz (Voted most beautiful station in France)
- Local Heritage
- The Graoully (mythical dragon of Metz, featured in the crypt of the cathedral)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Plan d'Eau (park with lake and pedal boats), Parc de la Seille
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc Naturel Régional de Lorraine (20 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Charles le Téméraire' route along the Moselle river
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Esplanade leading to the Palais de Justice garden
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mont Saint-Quentin (overlooking the city)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally restricted; use designated BBQ zones in Parc de la Seille
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste/Colissimo, Mondial Relay (widely available in shops)
- Tech Repair Services
- WeFix in Centre Commercial Muse
- Table Tennis Spots
- Metz Tennis de Table (Complexe Sportif Saint-Symphorien)
- Language Classes
- Université de Lorraine (DEFLE courses for French as a foreign language)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque Verlaine (Pontiffroy)
- Community Centers
- MJC Metz-Sud
- Gaming Lounges
- Check point (e-sports bar/cafe)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Seven (Amnéville, 20 mins drive)
Essentials
- City
- Metz, Grand Est, France
- Population
- 120,000 (Metro: 390,000)
- Internet Speed
- 95 Mbps avg (Fiber widely available, 5G coverage by Orange and Free)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: BNP Paribas, Société Générale
- Tap Water
- Safe and drinkable, high mineral content
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Free Mobile (19.99€/mo for 250GB), Orange, SFR, or Bouygues
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 are popular; local accounts available via CIC or Crédit Agricole
- Accommodation
- Mix of Haussmann-style apartments and modern studios; average 1-bed €650-€900/mo
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, contactless payment (CB) accepted even for small amounts in boulangeries
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Leboncoin.fr for sub-leases
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel Kyriad Metz Centre (approx. €65/night), Auberge de Jeunesse Carrefour (approx. €25/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centre-Ville (near the Cathedral) and Les Îles
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Quartier Impérial (near the station) and Nouvelle Ville for better value and space
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Bliiida (Rue d'Anjou) – €15/day, a creative hub/maker space; Pouplier (Place d'Armes) – €20/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Fox Coffee Shop (6 Rue Gambetta) – reliable WiFi and great specialty coffee
- Networking Events
- French Tech Est meetups; 'Metz Digital' events at Bliiida
- Social Events for Expats
- Mundolingua Language Exchange at Vivian's Pub; Facebook group 'Expats in Metz'