Area: 83,534 km²
Residents: 291,000
Population density: 3.2 E / km²
Form of Government: Republic
System of Government: semi-presidential democracy
Neighboring countries: Brazil, Suriname Main
town: Cayenne National
language: French
Religions:
84.4% Christian, of which over 90% Catholic,
3.6 % Chinese universism,
2.9% agnostics,
0.98% Jehovah’s Witnesses
Currency: Euro
Telephone area code: +594
Time zone: UTC − 3
French Guiana belongs to France and is located in the north of South America, directly on the Atlantic Ocean between Brazil and Suriname. Since French Guiana is a fully integrated part of France, it is also a part of the European Union. Thus, the legal tender is the EURO.
Dense jungle wherever you look. About 90% of the country is covered with tropical rainforests. These extend from the Tumucumaque Mountains in the south to the Atlantic in the north of the country. Two rivers, the Maroni and the Oyapock, form the national borders in the east and west. The long rainy season makes for lush vegetation. Over a thousand tree species, beautiful, colorful orchids and many other plants grow here. It is also home to over 170 species of mammals and more than 720 species of birds. Countless species of insects and butterflies buzz around. There are beautiful beaches on the 378 km long Atlantic coast.
Roads that are easy to drive are only found in the coastal region. Most of the population also lives there. The river paths are difficult to navigate due to dangerous rapids.
French Guiana has a tropical climate with constant temperatures of around 28 ° C. So there are only two seasons. The dry season from August to December and the rainy season from January to July.
The majority of the population is Creole and Afroguyan. 12% of the population are descendants of European immigrants. About 5–10% are indigenous people. A small part are Southeast Asians.
The most important economic factor and a tourist magnet is the Kourou spaceport, which France built for its space research at this strategically favorable location near the equator. He brings subsidies and securely paid work to the country. Otherwise the unemployment rate is very high.
The country’s international airport is in Matoury, just 20 minutes from the city center of the capital, Cayenne, and an hour from Kourou. The airlines Air France and Air Caraïbes fly direct flights to French Guiana from Paris-Orly in 8-9 hours.
Travel and Immigration
For a trip as a German, Austrian or Swiss citizen to the overseas department of French Guiana, all you need is a passport or identity card that is still valid for 6 months. Children need a valid children’s passport. Since French Guiana is part of France, the EU entry requirements apply. A visa is not required.
IMPORTANT!
If you fly with a stopover on an island that does not belong to the French overseas territories, ID checks may be carried out. Then a passport that is valid for at least 6 months is required.
Work – job offer
Since French Guiana is part of France, any German or Austrian citizen can work or open their own business without any restrictions. Retirees can also easily move to French Guiana.
To start work in French Guiana you should have at least a basic knowledge of the French language.
Cost of living
- Rental prices in Cayenne are 6.33% lower than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Cayenne are 53.76% higher than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Cayenne (from 02/2019 – 01/2020)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 25.00 | – |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 50.00 | – |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 2.55 | 1.10-4.00 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 3.75 | 1.50 – 6.00 |
| cappuccino | ? | – |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 1.00 | – |
| Water (0.33 l) | 1.50 | – |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 1.00 | 1.00 – 1.00 |
| White bread (500g) | 0.80 | – |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 2.00 | – |
| Eggs (12) | 0.50 | – |
| Local cheese (1kg) | ? | – |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | ? | – |
| Beef (1kg) | ? | – |
| Apples (1kg) | 3.00 | 3.00-3.00 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 2.50 | 2.00-3.00 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.50 | 1.00-2.00 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 3.00 | – |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 6.00 | – |
| Onions (1kg) | ? | – |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ? | – |
| Water (1.5 l) | 2.00 | 2.00-2.00 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 10.00 | – |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 1.10 | – |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | ? | – |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Cayenne (from 02/2019 – 01/2020)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 3.00 | – |
| Monthly pass | ? | – |
| Taxi base amount | 10.00 | – |
| Taxi 1 km | ? | – |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 200.00 | – |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | ? | – |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 75.00 | – |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 60.00 | – |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 40.00 | – |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 100.00 | – |
| Leather business shoes | 100.00 | – |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 50.00 | – |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | ? | – |
| a movie ticket | 8.00 | – |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | ? | – |
| International primary school per year and child | ? | – |
To rent
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Cayenne (from 02/2019 – 01/2020)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 700.00 | – |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 500.00 | – |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,200.00 | 900.00 – 1,500.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 1,300.00 | 900.00 -? |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | ? | – |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | ? | – |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 1,200.00 | – |
Real estate acquisition and investments
When buying real estate, it should be noted that the privately written so-called preliminary contract can already have binding effect and, in case of doubt, also has. The purchase contract is concluded when the parties agree on the purchase item and price. Formal requirements do not have to be observed in principle. Foreigners from the EU can easily buy or rent real estate in French Guiana.
Relocation to French Guiana
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Emigration and Living French Guiana
Emigrating to French Guiana is uncomplicated for Germans. There is no need to get used to a new currency. All year round you have a pleasant warm climate in a beautiful environment with huge forest areas. However, one should have a good enough command of the French language. This country also has its downsides due to the high unemployment. Driving a vehicle is only permitted with a local driver’s license, which can be obtained on presentation of a German or international driver’s license. Some advantages: no nuclear power, lots of forest, low population density.
