Living in Jordan as a French National: Settling In, Daily Life, Schools and Practical Advice

France Diplomatie indicates that Arabic is the official language of Jordan and that English is widely spoken. The country has 11.55 million inhabitants (2024), a service economy (68% of gross domestic product according to the same page) and a currency whose parity with the dollar is fixed. The proximity of major tourist sites and an extensive network of private care are advantages for families as well as for working people.

Several points call for anticipation: long-term residence depends on an employer or on a property investment, health cover is arranged without a Carte Vitale (France has no social security agreement with Jordan, which does not appear on the list of CLEISS, the French Centre for European and International Social Security Liaison), and the regional situation requires following the instructions of France Diplomatie. The page on the healthcare system in Jordan covers this aspect in detail, and the Jordan country page brings together the insurance obligations.

Amman, the capital, brings together the administrations, the French embassy and most economic activity; it is the most common place of settlement for employees and families. Aqaba, on the Red Sea, falls within a special economic zone: France Diplomatie mentions a free visa there for arrivals, subject to registration with the zone authority within 48 hours, and recommends particular vigilance in the city.

France Diplomatie strongly advises against the Azraq and Mafraq regions, in the north-east of the country, because of the possible fall of debris from intercepted projectiles. In practice, the choice of district follows the workplace, the children’s school and the proximity of a hospital.

Travellers with a passport valid for at least six months obtain their visa online from the Ministry of the Interior, at Queen Alia International Airport or at the land borders; embassies no longer issue visas. The single-entry visa costs JOD 40. The Jordan Pass includes the free visa and access to 43 tourist sites for a stay of at least three nights, according to France Diplomatie (update of 15/09/2026). The first extension, of two months, is requested from the local police, the second, of three months, from the foreigners’ department: the total length of a tourist stay is six months at most.

Any stay of more than 14 days requires registering with the police within the first 14 days, stating the address of residence; the fine for failing to do so is JOD 200, and holders of a transit visa, a pilgrim visa or the Jordan Pass are exempt. A departure tax of JOD 8 is collected at the land borders. France Diplomatie also points out that several screenings, including for HIV, are compulsory for any extension of the stay beyond three months.

To reside long term, an employee obtains a one-year renewable work permit, requested by the employer (Labour Code, article 12); the page on working in Jordan gives the details. A property buyer can apply for a five-year renewable residence permit: the page on retirement in Jordan describes the thresholds. On the French side, registration on the register of French nationals living abroad is done at the embassy in Amman, and the guide to the first 90 days helps you put the formalities in order.

The currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD). On 05/10/2026, the Central Bank of Jordan shows a rate of 708 to 710 fils per US dollar and of about 790 to 800 fils per euro: JOD 1 is therefore worth around €1.25. Inflation and the current exchange rate appear in the “Economic indicators” block of this page, which is updated continuously.

For housing, the official sources consulted do not publish a rent grid: the budget is built from local listings, the district and the housing allowance provided for in the employment contract, which the International Labour Organization counts as part of wages when it is paid in cash or in kind. For a purchase, the thresholds for residence through property are set at JOD 200,000 (about €250,000) from a developer or a company, JOD 300,000 from a private seller and JOD 150,000 outside Amman (official Jordanian news agency (Petra), 15/07/2026). The guide to budgeting for health abroad completes the housing and everyday-life budget.

The French embassy in Amman cites the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) and the Mission laïque française, and points to the school grants awarded to French children enrolled in accredited schools, as well as to aid for children with disabilities (AESH). The up-to-date list of schools and their accreditation levels is on the AEFE website; enrolments are prepared several months before the start of the school year.

For children’s health, the guide to children’s cover abroad and the page on expat family insurance recall the points to check: paediatrics, vaccines, maternity and waiting periods.

France Diplomatie indicates that, since 9 July 2026, Jordanian territory has been regularly overflown, even targeted, by Iranian missiles and drones. It recommends paying attention to alert sirens, taking shelter in a closed room, with no opening or window, until the end of the alert, staying reachable by phone and message, following the embassy website and consulting reliable sources of information. Airspace is operating; the status of your flight should be checked with the airline. The page (updated 10/09/2026) should be consulted before any travel.

• Alcohol: freely sold in shops, its consumption is prohibited in public places.
• Narcotics: possession, use and trade are severely punished (imprisonment and a ban from the territory).
• Antiquities, binoculars and drones: transporting antique objects without authorisation from the antiquities department is prohibited, drones are systematically seized and binoculars confiscated on entry without special authorisation.
• Driving: a French or European licence is valid for a stay of less than three months (minimum age 21); beyond that, a Jordanian licence is compulsory. Accidents are frequent (speeding, insufficient signage) and France Diplomatie advises against night driving unless necessary.
• Customs and etiquette: discretion near mosques, notably during Friday prayer, appropriate dress (avoid bare shoulders, shorts and short skirts), respect for Ramadan in public, prior consent before photographing.

The police number is 911. According to France Diplomatie, mobile phone coverage is very uneven across the territory.

France Diplomatie flags flash floods in the wadis (canyons) during the rainy season, from autumn to spring: excursions are prepared by checking the forecasts and avoiding canyons in case of rain. For diving in Aqaba, the page recalls the decompression rules and mentions a hyperbaric chamber at the Prince Hashem hospital. Paragliding and paramotoring are prohibited without military authorisation.

The official language is Arabic, with common use of English; a written employment contract is drawn up in Arabic, with a copy in a language the worker understands if they cannot read Arabic (International Labour Organization). On the health side, France Diplomatie recommends checking your vaccinations before departure and taking out insurance covering medical costs and repatriation, as the embassy cannot bear them; see expat health insurance.