Moving to French Polynesia from Palau

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Palau to French Polynesia — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Palau to French Polynesia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2018

per 100,000 people per year

PW
11.2
PF
0.3

French Polynesia performs significantly 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

PW
82.8t
PF
3.5t

French Polynesia performs significantly 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

PW
6.9
PF
25.6
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

PW
37.2%
PF
72.7%

French Polynesia performs significantly 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

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

a broad measure of economic output per person

PW
$15,800
PF
$18,600

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

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

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

PW
11.3
PF
4.4

French Polynesia performs significantly 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 Palau and French Polynesia. To live, work, or study long-term in French Polynesia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check French Polynesia'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 French Polynesia?

Internet is rarely the blocker — French Polynesia has 25.6 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is French Polynesia safe for expats?

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

What language do they speak in French Polynesia?

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

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At a Glance

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