Moving to Samoa from France

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from France to Samoa? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from France to Samoa, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Samoan. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Apia averages 86°F vs 60°F in Paris, making it significantly warmer.

Get free moving quotes to Samoa

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from France to Samoa.

Living there in 2020
6 ↓ 25% vs 2015

people born in France live in Samoa · UN DESA

Who's moving to Samoa?

Top countries of origin for Samoa's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Samoa compared to France.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

FR
1.6
WS
6.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

FR
4.7
WS
9.6

France performs better than Samoa across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

FR
$6,868
WS
$474
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

FR
33.4
WS
5.5

France generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

FR
10.0
WS
34.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

FR
4.0t
WS
1.6t

France generally does better on environment, though Samoa leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

FR
49.4
WS
0.8

France performs better than Samoa across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

FR
7.3%
WS
9.8%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

FR
$55,200
WS
$6,000

France generally does better on employment & economy, though Samoa leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

FR
82.6 yrs
WS
75.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

FR
3.1
WS
17.0

France performs better than Samoa across all family life metrics.

Data: Direction Générale des Finances Publiques, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Paris Rain: 25.6 in/yr (650 mm)
60° / 47°F

Avg. annual high / low

Apia Rain: 116.7 in/yr (2965 mm)
86° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Paris Apia
Jan–Mar 48°/38°F (9°/3°C) 87°/75°F (31°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 65°/50°F (18°/10°C) 87°/74°F (30°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 74°/58°F (23°/14°C) 85°/73°F (30°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 52°/43°F (11°/6°C) 87°/74°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Paris Apia
Jan 44°/36°F (6.9°/2.5°C) 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.9°C)
Feb 47°/37°F (8.2°/2.8°C) 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.2°C)
Mar 53°/41°F (11.8°/5.1°C) 87°/75°F (30.6°/24.0°C)
Apr 58°/44°F (14.7°/6.8°C) 87°/75°F (30.7°/23.8°C)
May 66°/51°F (19.0°/10.5°C) 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.4°C)
Jun 71°/56°F (21.8°/13.3°C) 86°/74°F (30.0°/23.2°C)
Jul 76°/60°F (24.4°/15.5°C) 85°/73°F (29.5°/22.6°C)
Aug 76°/60°F (24.6°/15.4°C) 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.8°C)
Sep 69°/54°F (20.8°/12.5°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.1°C)
Oct 60°/49°F (15.8°/9.2°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.4°C)
Nov 51°/42°F (10.4°/5.3°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.6°C)
Dec 46°/38°F (7.8°/3.6°C) 87°/75°F (30.5°/23.8°C)

Data: Météo-France Météo-France

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between France and Samoa. To live, work, or study long-term in Samoa, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Samoa's immigration authority.

France passport

France passport holder visiting Samoa

Visa Free
France passport holders can enter Samoa without a visa.
Samoa passport

Samoa passport holder visiting France

Visa Free
Samoa passport holders can enter France without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Samoa?

Connectivity is usually fine (Samoa: 0.8 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Samoa offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Samoa safe for expats?

France performs better than Samoa across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Samoa is 6.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.6 in France.

How is healthcare in Samoa compared to France?

France generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 5.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Samoa, compared to 33.4 in France. Samoa scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (France: 85).

What's the weather like in Samoa compared to France?

The average high temperature in Apia is 86°F, compared to 60°F in Paris. Apia receives around 116.7 in of rainfall per year, while Paris gets 25.6 in.

What language do they speak in Samoa?

The official languages in Samoa are English and Samoan. In France, the official language is French.

Share this

At a Glance

FR WS
Population 68,305,148 206,179
Currency Euro (€) Samoan Tala (WST)
Languages French English, Samoan
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +33 +685
Time zones 14 1
Emergency number 112