Canada - Settling in Canada
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Canada

Americas

Canada attracts many British expatriates thanks to its quality of life, English-speaking environment, and economic opportunities. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are major tech hubs. The Working Holiday Visa enables young Britons to settle easily, and Express Entry offers a pathway to permanent residence for skilled professionals. The Commonwealth heritage and shared legal traditions facilitate British integration.

Top income bracket
33%
Corporate tax
15%
Capital gains
0%
Cost of living
1 500 €/mois
FR treaty
Yes
Last verification: January 15, 2025

Taxation

Income tax brackets

BracketRate
0 € 57 375 €14.5 %
57 375 € 114 750 €20.5 %
114 750 € 177 882 €26 %
177 882 € 253 414 €29 %
253 414 € unlimited33 %

Corporate tax

15 %

Capital gains

0 %

VAT

5 %

Tax treaty with France
Territorial taxation
Wealth tax

Visa options

Permis Vacances Travail (PVT)

work-permit

Duration: 2 ans (pour les Français de 18 à 35 ans)

Cost: 338 CAD (environ 230 EUR)

Requirements: Nationalité française, 18 à 35 ans, assurance santé obligatoire. Tirage au sort annuel via Expérience Internationale Canada (EIC).

Start-Up Visa

entrepreneur

Duration: Résidence permanente directe

Cost: 2 140 CAD (environ 1 450 EUR)

Requirements: Lettre de soutien d'un organisme désigné (incubateur, fonds de capital-risque ou groupe d'investisseurs providentiels). Niveau de langue CLB 5 minimum.

Entrée Express (Federal Skilled Worker)

skilled-worker

Duration: Résidence permanente

Cost: 1 365 CAD (environ 930 EUR)

Requirements: Systeme à points basé sur l'age, les études, l'expérience professionnelle et la maitrise du français/anglais. Score CRS minimum variable.

Living in Canada

Popular locations among expatriates

Vancouver, skyline
Vancouver, skyline
Montagnes Rocheuses
Montagnes Rocheuses
Montréal, centre
Montréal, centre

Cost of living

Comparison with the French average (vertical line)

Currency : Dollar canadien (CAD)Exchange rate : 1 CAD = 0.6239

Single person

Monthly budget1 500 €/month
Difference / France+550 €/month

Couple

Monthly budget2 400 €/month
Difference / France+880 €/month

City center rent

1-bedroom apartment1 400 €/month
Difference / France+550 €/month

Outside city center rent

1-bedroom apartment900 €/month
Difference / France+250 €/month

The cost of living in Canada varies greatly by province. Toronto and Vancouver are very expensive, while Montreal remains more accessible. A single person can live on £1,200/month excluding rent. Rents are high in major cities, especially since 2022.

Settling in Canada

Practical indicators to prepare your relocation

Safety & stability

Safety9/10
Political stability9/10
Healthcare system91/100
Corruption index76/100
Democracy index8.88/10
Government typeMonarchie constitutionnelle fédérale

Procedures

Residence permit8 months
Bank accountEasy
Public healthcareAccessible
Health insuranceIncluded

Start a business

Setup time5 days
Ease of business#23 worldwide
Effective corp. tax15%

Canada offers several well-structured immigration pathways: Working Holiday Visa for young Britons, Express Entry for skilled professionals, Start-Up Visa for entrepreneurs. English-speaking provinces (Ontario, BC, Alberta) are particularly attractive for Britons, while Quebec is dedicated to francophones. Canadian bureaucracy is organised but processing times can be long (6 to 12 months for some visas). The points system favours bilingual profiles.

The Canadian health system (Medicare) is universal and free for permanent residents and citizens. Coverage varies by province but includes hospital care and medical consultations. Dental and optical care are generally not covered. Waiting times for specialists and emergencies are a recurring issue. Private supplementary insurance is common.

Quality of life

Canada offers exceptional quality of life with universal health system, vast natural spaces, and a multicultural society. English-speaking provinces are particularly familiar for Britons. Winters are harsh but summers are pleasant. Internet is fast and reliable everywhere.

5°C
Avg. temperature
200 Mbps
Internet
UTC-6h
vs Paris
Français, Anglais
Language(s)

Pros and cons

Advantages

  • English-speaking environment, familiar for Britons
  • Working Holiday Visa accessible for 18-35 and Express Entry for skilled professionals
  • High quality of life and multicultural society
  • UK-Canada tax treaty and stable legal system

Disadvantages

  • High tax pressure (federal + provincial can exceed 50%)
  • Long, harsh winters in most regions
  • High cost of living in Toronto and Vancouver
  • Time difference of -5h to -8h with the UK

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Sources

Verified on January 15, 2025

All data on this page comes from public and institutional sources.

FAQ

What is the tax rate in Canada?

The top marginal income tax rate in Canada is 33%. The corporate tax rate is 15%.

What is the cost of living in Canada?

The monthly cost of living for a single person in Canada is approximately 1500 EUR (excluding rent). City center rent costs around 1400 EUR per month.

Is there a tax treaty between the United Kingdom and Canada?

Check HMRC for the current status of the tax treaty between the United Kingdom and Canada.

These results are estimates.

The data presented are estimates and do not constitute tax advice. Consult a professional for your personal situation.