Living in Bolivia as a French Citizen: Altitude, Cities, Cost of Living and Formalities

Bolivia covers about 1,098,581 km² and has about 13 million inhabitants (World Bank, as cited by France Diplomatie). The official languages are Spanish and 36 indigenous languages; the currency is the boliviano, whose exchange rate varies. La Paz is the administrative capital, seat of the executive and legislative powers, and Sucre the constitutional capital (France Diplomatie sheet). The “Economic indicators” block of this page updates the country’s indicators.

The advantages lie in the diversity of landscapes, from the Andes to the Amazon, and an inexpensive local life; the points of caution are the altitude, the frequency of social mobilisations that block roads, an economy in which about 60% of activity is informal and the absence of a social security agreement with France (CLEISS, the French liaison centre for international social security, does not publish a sheet for this country). A tax treaty does, however, exist since 1996. A move is prepared with the checklist for the first 90 days and the guide to expat insurance in Bolivia.

La Paz lies between 3,300 and 3,800 metres, and El Alto airport at 4,058 metres. France Diplomatie describes acute mountain sickness as a risk above 2,500 metres, when the body has not had time to acclimatise: shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, sleep disturbances, with a risk of worsening. If symptoms appear, you must stop ascending, descend as quickly as possible to at least 4,000 metres below and seek medical advice. High altitude is advised against for children under 7, and pregnancy as well as a history of heart, lung, neurological or kidney problems are contraindications.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the economic capital, has about 1.6 million inhabitants; next come Cochabamba (665,000), Oruro (298,000), Tarija (239,000) and Potosí (219,000). The choice of city depends on the activity, the altitude tolerated and the climate: France Diplomatie reports dengue and malaria in the Santa Cruz region, while La Paz lies above 3,000 metres. Health advice appears on the page on the healthcare system in Bolivia.

The national minimum wage is 3,300 bolivianos a month since 1 January 2026, set by ministerial resolution 088/26 of the Ministry of Labour following supreme decree 5516 of 13 January 2026, with retroactive effect from 1 January. The ministry forbids restructuring pay to neutralise this adjustment (for example by removing bonuses). A salary below this amount must be raised to at least 3,300 bolivianos.

France Diplomatie reminds readers that Bolivia has the lowest gross domestic product per capita in South America and that the informal economy accounts for about 60% of activity. To estimate a budget, the surest method is to start from the rent actually asked in the target neighbourhood, health insurance, schooling and travel; the Bolivian authorities do not publish a rent scale by neighbourhood. The guide to budgeting for health abroad helps you cost the last of these items.

French citizens do not need a visa for a stay of under 90 days per twelve-month period, for tourism or a family visit. Since 1 August 2022, the entry stamp serves as a 90-day stay authorisation, which must be requested on entry, including overland; overstaying incurs a fine of about 20 bolivianos a day. The passport must still be valid for six months from entry. A specific visa must be requested from the consular section of the Bolivian embassy in France for a stay of under 90 days whose purpose is neither tourism nor family, and for any stay of more than 90 days (France Diplomatie).

Every foreigner, including a resident, must register with the General Directorate of Migration within 48 hours of entering, with the sworn address declaration form; the absence of this form exposes you to a fine of about 300 bolivianos. The General Directorate of Migration distinguishes transitional permanence (180 days at most), temporary permanence (up to three years) and definitive permanence, granted after a minimum permanence of three years. The standard file includes a passport valid for six months, a photo, a criminal record certificate or an Interpol certificate, a medical certificate and proof of solvency; foreign documents are translated and legalised.

On the French side, registration on the register of French nationals living abroad is recommended for more than six months, and the Ariane service for less than six months. The French embassy in La Paz is located at Avenida Hernando Siles No. 5390, Obrajes; the consular section can be reached on +591 2 214 9920.

The network of the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) includes, in La Paz, the Franco-Bolivian lycée Alcide-d’Orbigny and, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the Lycée français de Santa Cruz. These establishments follow the Southern Hemisphere calendar, from February to mid-December. Tuition fees, places and enrolment procedures are requested directly from each establishment.

The children of a resident need their own health cover: see expat family insurance. As high altitude is advised against for children under 7, the choice of city deserves medical advice before a family with young children settles.

France Diplomatie advises against travel, except for compelling reasons, in the border zone with Brazil, because of trafficking and the circulation of weapons, and advises not to linger at border crossings. The rest of the country is under heightened vigilance, with specific points: frequent thefts at the La Paz bus terminal, higher crime in Santa Cruz, pickpockets at the El Alto Feria, the condition of boats to be checked on Lake Titicaca, agency 4x4 accidents at the Salar de Uyuni.

Social mobilisations (strikes, demonstrations, blockades) are frequent and can turn violent: it is recommended not to force blockades, to keep informed through the map of blocked roads published by the ABC (the national roads administration) and to build up a stock of food, water, fuel, medicines and warm clothing in case of a prolonged blockade. Violent assaults on tourists are rare, but petty crime, fake police officers, fake taxis and the use of scopolamine in bars are reported; it is advisable to use a radio taxi, avoid travelling at night and keep scanned copies of your passport. As for natural hazards, Bolivia lies in a seismic zone, with landslides in La Paz from December to April and floods in the Amazon.

France and Bolivia have no agreement on driving licences: for under 90 days, the French licence must be accompanied by an international permit; beyond that, a Bolivian licence is needed. Many journeys use unpaved tracks, mountain roads are difficult, and France Diplomatie recommends not driving at night and favouring a 4x4 away from the main roads. The airlines BoA and Ecojet offer generally satisfactory safety conditions; the military airline TAM is formally advised against.

Narcotics are prohibited, with up to three years in prison for simple use and fifteen years for trafficking; importing coca leaves into France is punished by up to five years in prison, whatever the quantity. Possession of archaeological items is punishable by six years in prison. Insurance covering care, hospitalisation and repatriation is considered imperative; see the expat health insurance comparison. Expavy helps you weigh these options against your situation.