Hello, my name is Jon. I have recently relocated from the UK to Lyon to live with my girlfriend who is native french. The reason for my relocating was that I was unfortunately made redundant from my job in the UK. I decided that as my job was the only reason I was living apart from my girlfriend I should pack up and move over here so we could once again be together. As such it was somewhat of a quick decision and I am really here seeking some advice on how to get things in order for me to be able to settle here in Lyon correctly.
As far as we are both aware the first, most important thing to get in order should be sécurité sociale for me. We have so far visited the Préfecture who informed us that as a UK citizen in possession of a full UK passport there is no problem with my being here and that I needed to fill out nothing with them. We then visited the British Consulate, here we were advised that I could be added onto my girlfriends sécurité sociale but we now find that this is incorrect as she is currently a full time student and so her sécurité sociale is for students - SMERRA. I have read online that it is fairly common for employers to arrange sécurité sociale numbers, but have also read that many will not employ you without having one first.
We are both a little confused by the varying bits of information we have been supplied with and are finding it hard to get a straight answer from anyone as to what comes first, a job and then a sécurité sociale number or a sécurité sociale number then a job?
If anyone has had experience sorting this sort of quandary out or if you know in which order I should be making arrangements I would be extremely grateful if you could provide any advice. Thank you in advance.
Jon