En Famille International
The Exchange of a Lifetime
A reciprocal exchange where your child lives the language and discovers a second home abroad
One Exchange. Two Homes.
This is what sets our exchanges apart
The Golden Rule: an exchange runs both ways
All stays are reciprocal so there is no requirement for a fee-paying host family. The exchange partners are always together. Your child goes to live with a family abroad for up to six months, then that family’s child comes to live with you in the UK for an equivalent period. You welcome them as one of your own children, sharing the same home life, school routines and holidays.
- 1Your child lives with a partner family for up to 6 months.
- 2Their child then lives with your family for the same length of time.
- 3No hosting fees: each family hosts in turn.
- 1Your child lives with a partner family for up to 6 months.
- 2Their child then lives with your family for the same length of time.
- 3No hosting fees: each family hosts in turn.
Our Exchange Countries
Reciprocal exchanges between families in five European countries
United Kingdom
London · Manchester
France
Paris · Brittany · Bordeaux
Spain
Madrid · Barcelona · Seville
Italy
Rome · Milan · Florence
Germany
Berlin · Munich · Hamburg
What Your Child Gains
A transformative experience with a lifetime of memories
True Immersion
The language stops being a school subject. Most children are holding their own at the dinner table within weeks.
Confidence
Gains in independence and cultural maturity — your child will return transformed.
A New Sibling
A real bond with their exchange partner that can extend well into the future.
A Second Family
A European connection that lasts long after the exchange ends.
Language Progression
What families typically report on a six-month exchange
First words, first greetings, settling in
Following family conversation and joining in
Comfortable in a French classroom, and out with friends
Living the whole of daily life in the language, without translating
Marked improvement in all domains:
Reading
Listening
Speaking
Writing
Could an EFI exchange work for your family?
Five questions / 30 seconds
Answer all five questions below, then enter your email address to send your choices to our UK team.
Why En Famille International?
A French non-profit organisation acting internationally
Non-Profit Est. 1978
Building bridges for half a century
24/7 Support
A local representative in every country
Family-Based Immersion
Live like a local from day one
Take Education Further
With a lifelong international network
Years of exchanges
European Countries
Exchanges since 1978
Months per exchange
Core exchange ages*
*Motivated 16–17-year-olds considered case by case.
About En Famille International
Bringing families together since 1978
En Famille International is a French non-profit based in Brittany, founded on the simple idea that the best way to learn another language and culture is to live it as part of a family, not through a group trip or language school.
EFI is governed by parents who have completed exchanges themselves. This keeps the organisation true to its founding principles. Our team, working with our local UK representatives, interview, visit and support each UK family.
What Families Say
In their own words, after their exchange
Thanks to her efforts and a very productive exchange, Marie has been accepted into a selective international academic stream at her school. May thanks again for EFI’s dedication!
The girls have known each other for more than five years now and are like sisters together. The real magic of EFI is that it creates many beautiful stories such as ours!
We now feel as though we have family members scattered across the world. I encourage every family to live this experience once, twice, or even three times!
The exchange is such an enriching experience, both for the children and for the rest of the family. It teaches us to live together and to learn from one another.
Matching, vetting and school paperwork take 6–12 months. To leave in September 2027, families should start their application by March 2027.
Tell us about your child
Your answers are emailed to our team who will respond by email, or on a 15-minute call if you would rather talk it through.
Ready to Begin?
6 steps to your exchange
- 1. Apply — Send us your file online
- 2. Interview — Meet the EFI team
- 3. Match — Receive a partner proposal
- 4. Agree — Both families confirm
- 5. Prepare — Paperwork, visa, school
- 6. Go! — The adventure begins
EFI — With You At Every Step
- Local representatives in every country
- 6-week check-ins with both families
- Language progress and wellbeing reports
- 24/7 emergency contact — never alone
Find Out More
The detail behind the exchange, page by page
Safeguarding
Every family completes an interview, home visit and preparation meeting before matching. We monitor each exchange through regular wellbeing reports and provide a 24-hour emergency contact. For UK placements of 28 days or more, we support families with the required private fostering notification.
How we vet every family »Pricing
A six-month exchange costs €2,900 (approximately £2,460 at the current European Central Bank reference rate), with no VAT payable. New families also pay a one-off registration fee of €150. The fee covers family assessments, preparation, supervision and support. Host families do not pay each other.
See what the fee funds »FAQ
Find answers about schooling, term-time absence, visas, legal requirements, safeguarding, contact and the matching process.
Read the FAQ »News
Read updates about EFI events, information sessions and family meetings.
Read the latest news »Get in Touch
Contact the UK team to discuss hosting, sending your child abroad or attending an information session or family meeting.
Contact us »