Living in Trinidad and Tobago as a French National: Advantages, Drawbacks and Formalities

The country brings together two islands with very different atmospheres: Trinidad, industrial and urban around Port of Spain, and Tobago, geared to the sea and tourism. English is the language of work and administration, bank cards are widely accepted and cash machines are plentiful (France Diplomatie). The economy rests on energy, whose weight is estimated at about a fifth of GDP by the IMF, which attracts technical profiles and seconded managers.

The drawbacks are just as well documented. France Diplomatie points out that a state of emergency may be declared, that violence is concentrated in certain areas and linked mainly to gang conflicts and domestic violence, and that expats and tourists are generally little affected if they follow basic rules of caution. Roads are uneven, earthquakes frequent, the hurricane season runs from June to November and the quality of healthcare infrastructure varies, which argues for solid cover before leaving.

• Visa-free stay: three months for French nationals, with a passport valid for at least six months, a return ticket and a hotel booking (France Diplomatie).
• Vaccination on entry: the yellow fever certificate is required of travellers coming from Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil or Panama.
• Work: any paid activity requires a work permit; the Ministry of National Security (Homeland Security) specifies that a stay of 30 days or less per twelve-month period for an activity does not require a permit. See working in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Residence: the Immigration Division indicates residence routes after five continuous years of stay, through a work permit under the CSME market, through sponsorship by a parent or grandparent and through marriage to a citizen or resident; lists of documents, fees and processing times are confirmed with the Division.
• Pleasure boats: entry through Chaguaramas (Trinidad) or Scarborough (Tobago).

Registration on the register of French nationals living abroad is free and recommended. The French embassy in Port of Spain (7 Mary Street, St Clair, +1 868 232 48 08) is a diplomatic presence post with limited resources: consular procedures are handled by the consular section of the French embassy in Saint Lucia (+1 758 455 60 60).

• Port of Spain and surroundings: political and economic capital, home to the embassy and the major hospitals. France Diplomatie advises against certain neighbourhoods (Laventille, Morvant, Beetham, Sealots) and recommends moving around only by car after nightfall elsewhere in the city.
• Central Trinidad (Chaguanas, Tunapuna, Curepe, San Juan): business areas where the country page flags armed robberies and assaults, hence the importance of choosing your neighbourhood on site.
• Southern Trinidad: San Fernando is the second hub; the south coast (Cedros, Siparia, Point Fortin) is advised against by France Diplomatie.
• Tobago: the tourist area from Pigeon Point to Mount Irvine is described as safe; isolated areas call for caution at night. Scarborough is the main town.

The beaches of the east coast of Trinidad are strongly advised against for swimming because of currents, seaweed and jellyfish; Maracas Bay and the nearby islands present a lower risk (France Diplomatie).

None of the official sources consulted publishes average rents by neighbourhood or a typical budget for an expat; amounts vary greatly depending on the area and the level of safety. The useful official benchmarks are the minimum wage of TTD 20.50 an hour (Ministry of Labour) and price developments tracked by the IMF. The Trinidad and Tobago dollar trades at around TTD 6.8 to the US dollar according to the IMF, and the up-to-date indicators appear in the “Economic benchmarks” block above.

For a lease, ask about service charges, the security deposit and the building’s security systems, and visit the neighbourhood by day as well as by night. France Diplomatie advises keeping passports and valuables in the hotel safe, limiting cash and avoiding cash machines at night.

• State of emergency: when declared across the territory, the authorities may check, search and arrest on mere suspicion. Wearing camouflage clothing is prohibited, including for children.
• Precautions: avoid moving around alone in isolated places, prefer taxis after nightfall, do not resist in the event of an assault and wait for the attackers to leave before asking for help.
• Climate and hazards: hurricane season from June to November, with rare direct impacts but rain that can cause landslides and floods; frequent earthquakes.
• Driving: on the left, on paved but often narrow and winding roads in northern Trinidad and in Tobago; the Port of Spain-San Fernando route is considered dangerous; the French licence allows driving for three months with no formalities.

These points are reminded by France Diplomatie in its country page; reading the page directly before departure and registering on Fil d’Ariane (its alert service for travellers) make it possible to follow alerts.

No school of the French agency for teaching abroad (the AEFE network) was identified in Trinidad and Tobago in the sources consulted: the French embassy remains the contact for schooling options (English-language schools, distance learning). Families can consult the family and expatriation guide and the expat family insurance page.

In daily life, France Diplomatie recommends official taxis (plate beginning with “H”), using taxis or chauffeur-driven cars for long journeys, and staying on the spot after a hire-car accident, even a minor one, until the police arrive.

France Diplomatie indicates that insurance or an assistance contract covering all medical costs, surgery, hospitalisation and repatriation is essential: without it, access to care may be refused, even in a life-threatening situation, and the embassy cannot pay these costs. No social security agreement binds France and Trinidad and Tobago (CLEISS), so there is no coordination between schemes. The country page recommends private facilities, which are expensive but of better quality, and mentions evacuations to Martinique, Guadeloupe or Miami for serious cases. The detail is in the pages on the healthcare system and healthcare reimbursement, and in the expat health insurance guide; Expavy helps you compare offers.

• Check the validity of the passport (six months), the return ticket and the accommodation booking required on entry.
• Take out insurance covering care, hospitalisation, repatriation and evacuation to Martinique, Guadeloupe or Miami.
• Ask the Immigration Division about residence status before settling, and confirm the work permit with the employer.
• Plan for the vehicle: French licence valid for three months, driving on the left, official taxis with an “H” plate.
• Register on Fil d’Ariane and read the areas to avoid published by France Diplomatie.