Moving to Palau from French Polynesia

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What to Expect

A comprehensive look at what changes when you move from French Polynesia to Palau — from daily expenses to quality of life.

If you moved from French Polynesia to Palau, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Palauan.

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Key Indicator Comparison

How French Polynesia and Palau stack up on safety, healthcare, jobs, and infrastructure.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2018

per 100,000 people per year

PF
0.3
PW
11.2

French Polynesia performs better than Palau across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

PF
3.5t
PW
82.8t

French Polynesia performs better than Palau across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

PF
25.6
PW
6.9
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

PF
72.7%
PW
37.2%

French Polynesia performs better than Palau across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

PF
11.7%
PW
1.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

PF
$18,600
PW
$15,800

French Polynesia generally does better on employment & economy, though Palau leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

PF
78.4 yrs
PW
74.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

PF
4.4
PW
11.3

French Polynesia performs better than Palau across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Palau passport

Palau passport holder visiting French Polynesia

Visa Free
Palau passport holders can enter French Polynesia 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 Palau?

With 6.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Palau can support video calls in major cities. The hard part is paperwork — visa category, employer policy on overseas staff, and tax residency in French Polynesia and Palau.

Is Palau safe for expats?

French Polynesia performs better than Palau across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Palau is 11.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.3 in French Polynesia.

What language do they speak in Palau?

The official languages in Palau are English and Palauan. In French Polynesia, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

PF PW
Population 299,356 21,695
Currency CFP Franc (CFPF) United States Dollar ($)
Languages French English, Palauan
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +689 +680
Time zones 3 1