France (FR)
France is a unitary semi-presidential republic and the EU's most visited country, renowned for its world-class cuisine and wine, the iconic City of Light that is Paris, the French Riviera, iconic Alpine ski resorts, and a generous social state offering universal healthcare, extensive family benefits, and strong worker protections.
Capital: Paris
Region: Europe
Language: French
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 74)
Emergency: 112
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Time: 15 minutes online · Cost: €10–25/month studio, €25–50/month 3-bedroom apartment
Deadline: Before taking keys — attestation required at état des lieux d'entrée
Risk if missed: Landlord can terminate the bail for faute after mise en demeure + 30 days (article 7 loi 1989). Any damage caused to third parties will be your personal responsibility.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Bail
- ✓ Surface habitable (m²)
- ✓ Inventory of valuables
- ✓ RIB
Tip: Compare via Lesfurets, LeLynx, Assurland. Providers: MAIF, MAAF, GMF, MACIF (mutuelles), Groupama, Allianz, AXA, Direct Assurance. Add "vol + vandalisme + responsabilité civile vie privée" for complete coverage. Student formulas from €4/month (Heyme, LMDE).
Time: 1–2 hours in-person or online · Cost: €175–343 EU/French; up to €2,770 non-EU licence
Risk if missed: Loss of place and access to student services, CROUS, social security.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Baccalauréat or equivalent
- ✓ Passport + titre de séjour (non-EU)
- ✓ Parcoursup confirmation letter
- ✓ Bank account (RIB for droits paiement)
- ✓ Proof of address
Tip: Apply for CROUS scholarship (bourse sur critères sociaux) at messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr before October — retroactive. Apply to CROUS housing immediately on admission; demand far exceeds supply.
Local institution: Université / Grande École
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1–2 hours application · Cost: Free (public); canteen €3–6/meal, périscolaire €1–4/hour
Deadline: April–June for September start
Risk if missed: Instruction obligatoire from age 3 — fines possible.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Livret de famille
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile <3 months
- ✓ Carnet de santé (up-to-date vaccinations — 11 mandatory)
- ✓ Assurance scolaire (for extracurriculars)
Tip: Catchment area strict (carte scolaire). For exemptions, request dérogation scolaire at mairie with justification. International or bilingual schools (EIB, Montessori) are private and pricey (€6,000–20,000/year).
Local institution: Mairie — service scolaire (Town hall school services)
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1–2 hours · Cost: Free; €150–400/year school supplies
Documents needed:
- ✓ Livret de famille
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ Carnet de santé
- ✓ Certificat de radiation from previous school
- ✓ Bulletins from previous school (traduits)
Tip: Language support (UPE2A — Unité Pédagogique pour Élèves Allophones Arrivants) available for non-French speakers — ask at mairie. CLIN (classe d'initiation) provides intensive French for new arrivals.
Local institution: Mairie + école
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1–2 hours · Cost: Free; €300–800/year school supplies and activities
Documents needed:
- ✓ Livret de famille
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ Bulletins from previous school (traduits)
- ✓ Certificat de radiation
- ✓ Vaccinations
Tip: ENT (Environnement Numérique de Travail) — each école has a digital space for grades, homework, parent communication. Download the school app. Options internationales (SELO, LELE) teach subjects partly in English/German/Spanish — apply early.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1–2 hours online; SIREN 1–4 weeks · Cost: Micro-entrepreneur: free. EURL/SARL/SASU/SAS: €250–800 notary/formalities fees.
Deadline: Before first invoice
Risk if missed: Invoicing without SIREN is travail dissimulé (article L8221 Code du travail) — €45,000 fine + 3 years prison for severe cases.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport / titre de séjour
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ Déclaration d'insaisissabilité if EI (optional)
- ✓ Statuts if société
- ✓ Attestation bancaire dépôt capital (société)
Tip: Micro-entrepreneur easiest for ≤€83,600 services or ≤€203,100 vente (2026–2028 thresholds). SASU/EURL for liability protection. Consult expert-comptable before choosing (1 hour, €100–200, saves thousands).
Local institution: URSSAF — Guichet Unique (formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr) (Single business formalities portal (since 1 Jan 2023 INPI))
Time: 1–2 hours online at ameli.fr · Cost: Free — you are automatically enrolled and pay no cotisation as a student
Documents needed:
- ✓ Inscription universitaire proof
- ✓ Passport + titre de séjour (non-EU)
- ✓ RIB for reimbursements
- ✓ EHIC (EU students)
Tip: Also take out a mutuelle complémentaire — Complémentaire Santé Solidaire (CSS) is free for students with income below €9,000/year. Heyme, SMERRA, Vittavi offer student mutuelle from €10/month.
Local institution: CPAM / L'Assurance Maladie
Time: 30 minutes · Cost: I-CAD registration ~€7; category 1/2 permit €40 + formation aptitude
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passeport européen ou carte ICAD
- ✓ Microchip certificate
- ✓ Rabies vaccination certificate
- ✓ Attestation assurance RC (category 1/2)
Tip: Update I-CAD after moving. France has NO dog tax (unlike Germany). Assurance RC vie privée usually covers bite damages unless "chien dangereux".
Local institution: I-CAD (Identification des Carnivores Domestiques)
Time: 1–3 hours · Cost: Free to file
Deadline: April–June annually (dates vary by département)
Risk if missed: Majoration 10% (forgotten) to 80% (undeclared activity). Intérêts de retard 0.20%/month.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Bulletins de salaire / attestations Pôle emploi
- ✓ Revenus fonciers if rental
- ✓ Avis de CSG sur placements
- ✓ Justificatifs de dons, emploi à domicile, garde d'enfants for crédits d'impôt
Tip: First-year expats: declaration possibly partial-year. Check if eligible for régime impatriés (article 155 B CGI) — 30–50% salary exemption if recruited directly from abroad. Consult expert-comptable for complex situations.
Local institution: DGFiP — Service des Impôts des Particuliers
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 30 minutes online; 1–3 weeks for delivery · Cost: Varies by region and CV fiscaux (e.g. 7CV in Paris ~€385)
Documents needed:
- ✓ Certificat de cession (cerfa 15776)
- ✓ Ancienne carte grise barrée
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ Permis
- ✓ Contrôle technique <6 months
- ✓ Attestation assurance
Local institution: ANTS
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1–2 hours to compile; processing 2–6 months; récépissé issued meanwhile · Cost: €250 (renewal, from May 2026) — €350 (first issuance) — varies by catégorie
Deadline: 2 months before expiry at the earliest
Risk if missed: Irregular residence; cannot work; risk of refus de séjour and departure order (OQTF).
Documents needed:
- ✓ Current titre de séjour
- ✓ Passport
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile <3 months
- ✓ Bulletins de salaire / avis d'imposition
- ✓ Attestation OFII CIR (CIR signed and validated)
- ✓ Photos e-photo code
- ✓ Timbre fiscal according to type
Tip: ANEF is buggy — keep screenshots of every step. If ANEF rejects the file, send a formal relance via the built-in messaging. A good expert-comptable or avocat droit des étrangers can save months of frustration. Récépissé gives full rights while you wait.
Local institution: Préfecture or ANEF (Prefecture / Administration Numérique des Étrangers en France)
Time: 2–3 months total; first reimbursements possible after numéro provisoire issued · Cost: Free for all. Cotisation PUMa only applies to non-working residents with capital income >50% PASS.
Deadline: As soon as possible after arrival and obtaining titre de séjour
Risk if missed: No reimbursement of medical costs; uninsured until paperwork is complete.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport + titre de séjour (non-EU) or CNI (EU)
- ✓ Acte de naissance less than 3 months old, apostilled + traduction assermentée
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile <3 months
- ✓ RIB (bank details)
- ✓ Employment contract OR proof of ≥3 months legal residence
Tip: Apply via ameli.fr with form S1106. Bring an acte de naissance from your home country — apostilled + translated by traducteur assermenté (€40–80). Without it, processing can stall 3–6 months. If employed, your HR often files on your behalf via DPAE.
Local institution: CPAM — Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (Primary Health Insurance Fund)
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 30 minutes online · Cost: €100–350 depending on visa type (from May 2026)
Deadline: Within 3 months of arrival
Risk if missed: Your VLS-TS is no longer valid; you become an irregular immigrant and cannot renew.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport + VLS-TS page
- ✓ Arrival date in France
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ Timbre électronique payment
Tip: Validation is purely online — no préfecture appointment needed. After payment and upload of justificatif, you receive a validation confirmation by email. Keep the attestation — employer/bank may ask.
Local institution: OFII — Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration (French Office of Immigration and Integration)
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: Interview 1–2 hours; full programme 0–600h over 12 months · Cost: Free
Deadline: OFII convenes you within 3 months of VLS-TS validation
Risk if missed: Cannot renew carte de séjour or apply for naturalisation.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport + VLS-TS validated
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ Diplomas if any
Tip: You receive a convocation by post. Not optional — but productive and fully free. Target A1 level (to be raised to A2 for CSP renewal from 2026). Absent justified for work or medical reasons only.
Local institution: OFII
Time: 30 minutes online · Cost: €500–1,200/year typical
Deadline: Before driving
Documents needed:
- ✓ Permis
- ✓ Carte grise
- ✓ Relevé d'information antérieur insurer (for bonus-malus)
- ✓ RIB
Tip: Compare at LesFurets, LeLynx. Bring bonus-malus history from home country insurer — foreign no-claims history often reduces premiums. Since April 2024, carte verte paper replaced by Fichier des Véhicules Assurés (FVA).
Where to go: i-cad.fr (via accredited veterinarian)
Local institution: I-CAD (Identification des Carnivores Domestiques)
Time: Immediate if you have a bill; 1–2 weeks to get first electricity bill · Cost: Free
Deadline: As soon as possible after move-in
Risk if missed: Cannot open a bank account, register with CPAM, apply for titre de séjour renewal, or obtain a Carte Vitale.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Bail signé (signed rental contract)
- ✓ Attestation d'hébergement (if hosted) + hôte's ID + their justificatif
- ✓ EDF/Engie/water/internet bill <3 months
Tip: Your first electricity bill (from EDF, Engie, TotalEnergies) takes 2–4 weeks. Use an attestation de contrat EDF (immediate) as temporary justificatif. In shared flats: landlord provides an attestation d'hébergement + copy of their ID + their justificatif.
Local institution: Propriétaire ou bailleur (Landlord / lessor)
Time: 2–4 weeks after request · Cost: Free
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ Contrat de travail or revenus
Tip: Request via the form on impots.gouv.fr (email your local SIP) or in person at the nearest Service des Impôts des Particuliers. First income declaration: between April and June of the year after arrival — even if income is €0. Declare on forms 2042 (general) and 2042-NR (non-resident portion if partial-year).
Local institution: DGFiP — Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (Public Finances Directorate (tax office))
Time: 30 minutes · Cost: Depends on income; see tax brackets
Tip: Default taux is based on previous year's declaration. First-year arrivals: request "taux individualisé" or "taux personnalisé" to avoid over/underpayment. If your income drops 10%+ mid-year, request a recalcul en cours d'année.
Time: 5 minutes online · Cost: €3.72 (government fee)
Deadline: Before entering a ZFE
Documents needed:
- ✓ Carte grise
Tip: Order ONLY at the official site certificat-air.gouv.fr — many scam sites charge €20–40 for the free service. Stick on inside of windscreen right side. Paris ZFE: Crit'Air 4 banned since January 2024, Crit'Air 3 prohibited since January 2025 (enforcement fines suspended through 2026).
Time: 15 minutes online or by phone — activation same day if meters Linky/Gazpar · Cost: €30–120/month apartment depending on size, heating type
Documents needed:
- ✓ Bail or justificatif
- ✓ RIB
- ✓ Meter reading (photo of counter index)
- ✓ PDL for electricity, PCE for gas (on meter or past bill)
Tip: Compare at energie-info.fr (public service) or selectra.info. EDF (Tarif Bleu, regulated) is default. Alternatives: TotalEnergies, Engie, Ohm Énergie, Mint Énergie. Energy door-to-door sales banned since July 2025 — refuse any doorstep salesperson.
Local institution: Fournisseur d'électricité / gaz (Electricity / gas supplier)
Time: 30 minutes online; conseiller meeting 1 hour within 1 month · Cost: Free
Deadline: Register within 7 days of job loss to preserve full ARE benefit
Documents needed:
- ✓ Pièce d'identité
- ✓ Numéro de sécurité sociale
- ✓ Attestation employeur destinée à France Travail (for ARE)
- ✓ RIB
- ✓ CV
Tip: Register online at francetravail.fr within 5–10 days of contract end. First inscription triggers an "entretien diagnostic" with conseiller — prepare your projet professionnel.
Local institution: France Travail
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: Application 30 min; waiting 6–18 months · Cost: Tarif horaire CAF: €0.50–4/hour based on revenus. Subsidised up to 66% tax credit.
Deadline: Register during pregnancy if possible
Documents needed:
- ✓ Actes de naissance of child and parents
- ✓ Livret de famille
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ Justificatifs d'activité (contrat de travail)
- ✓ Avis d'imposition
Tip: Apply to 5–10 crèches and assistantes maternelles simultaneously. Use monenfant.fr (CAF) for assistante maternelle search. Mairie allocates municipal places by commission d'attribution (usually spring). Tax credit 50% of net cost up to €3,500/year.
Local institution: Mairie / Relais Petite Enfance
Time: 1–2 hours · Cost: Free
Documents needed:
- ✓ Pension statements
- ✓ French bank account (RIB/IBAN)
- ✓ Certificat de vie (if required annually)
Time: 30 minutes online · Cost: Free
Documents needed:
- ✓ Actes de naissance of children (traduits)
- ✓ Livret de famille
- ✓ Titre de séjour (non-EU)
- ✓ RIB
Tip: Non-EU: attestation de l'OFII for régularité d'entrée of children required. Declare on caf.fr. Automatic transfer if already registered for APL.
Time: 15–30 minutes at first appointment · Cost: Consultation €30 (70% reimbursed by CPAM, 30% by mutuelle) — €1 participation forfaitaire
Documents needed:
- ✓ Carte Vitale (or attestation de droits)
- ✓ Form S3704 "Déclaration de choix du médecin traitant"
Tip: Use Doctolib (doctolib.fr) to find a médecin généraliste accepting new patients. In cities, many GPs close their patient lists — try smaller communes nearby or téléconsultation (Qare, Livi). Gastrodoc and ameli.fr annuaire also list GPs.
Local institution: Médecin généraliste (General practitioner (GP))
Time: 30–60 minutes first visit · Cost: €40–60 first visit; rabies booster €45; annual vaccines €50–80
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passeport européen (dog/cat)
- ✓ Microchip certificate
- ✓ Vaccinations from home country
Time: 1–2 hours · Cost: Free to apply
Documents needed:
- ✓ Inscription universitaire
- ✓ Avis d'imposition parents
- ✓ Passport
- ✓ RIB
Tip: Even a bourse échelon 0 (non-financial award) gives exonération of droits d'inscription and social security cotisations. Students ineligible for CROUS bourse may qualify for APL housing aid via CAF.
Local institution: CROUS — Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires
Time: 30 minutes per visit · Cost: 100% reimbursed up to 6 years; €30/visit after that (reimbursed at parcours coordonné rate)
Documents needed:
- ✓ Carte Vitale (as ayant droit)
- ✓ Carnet de santé
- ✓ Passport
Tip: Pédiatres have waitlists 2–6 months — book early. Consider a médecin généraliste with pediatric training. Use Doctolib. PMI (Protection Maternelle et Infantile) offers free consultations and vaccinations 0–6 years.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: Apply online; processing 4–10 months — ADS issued meanwhile · Cost: Free online; €40–80 sworn translation
Deadline: 1 year from first titre de séjour start date
Risk if missed: After 1 year your foreign licence no longer valid — driving is a €11–750 offence + immobilisation.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport + titre de séjour
- ✓ Original permit + sworn translation
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ 2 ePhoto codes
- ✓ Attestation authenticity (some countries)
Tip: ANTS procedure only — no more préfecture counters. Upload high-quality scans. Use a CNI or passport photo-signature digitale code obtained at an accredited photomaton (€5).
Local institution: ANTS — CERT Échange Permis (National Agency for Secure Titles — Permit Exchange Centre)
Where to go: your local mairie / ofii.fr
Local institution: Mairie / Service population
Time: 10–20 minutes online (Boursorama, Fortuneo, Revolut, N26); 1–2 weeks for traditional branch · Cost: Free (online banks) or €2–12/month (traditional)
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport or titre de séjour
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile <3 months
- ✓ Proof of income (bulletin de salaire or contract)
- ✓ French mobile number for SMS verification
Tip: Boursorama Banque (BNP) often includes a €80–150 welcome bonus. Revolut and N26 work instantly and without local justificatif, but you will need a "true" French RIB (FR76) for some state services. Nickel (at tabac) takes 5 minutes with passport only.
Local institution: Banque française (French bank)
Time: 15–30 minutes in store or 5 min for eSIM · Cost: €2–40/month depending on provider and data
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport
- ✓ French bank account or CB
- ✓ Justificatif (sometimes)
Tip: Free Mobile at €2/month (2h calls + 50 MB) or €19.99 (unlimited + 250 GB) is unbeatable. Sosh (Orange subsidiary) and RED by SFR offer better deals than parent brands. Prepaid SIMs at tabac or Orange Boutique in 5 min with passport.
Time: 1–3 weeks for technician installation · Cost: €20–45/month for fibre; €30–40/month for ADSL
Documents needed:
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ RIB
- ✓ Phone number
Tip: Check fibre eligibility at ariase.com or degrouptest.com. Free offers lowest fibre price (€29.99/month indefinite, no engagement). Bundle with mobile (quadruple play) to save €5–15/month. First-time subscribers often get €50–150 cashback.
Where to go: navigo.fr / local pharmacy / supermarkets
Local institution: RATP / SNCF / Carrefour / Leclerc
Where to go: franceconnect.gouv.fr
Local institution: Direction interministérielle du numérique (DINUM)
Time: 10 minutes to activate · Cost: Free to activate. €100 reste à charge on trainings since 2024.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Numéro de sécurité sociale
- ✓ FranceConnect account
Tip: Log in at moncompteformation.gouv.fr with FranceConnect. Abondements possible by employer, France Travail, Caisse des Dépôts. Cumulated rights do not expire — but trainings must be Qualiopi-certified.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 30 minutes online with Linxea, Yomoni, Boursorama Vie · Cost: Free to open; management fees 0.5–1% (online); 1.5–3% (traditional insurers)
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport / titre de séjour
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ RIB
- ✓ KYC questionnaire
Tip: Start the 8-year clock ASAP — even with €100. Best value: Linxea Spirit 2 (Apicil), Yomoni Vie (gestion pilotée), Boursorama Vie. Avoid bank branch assurance-vie (BNP, SG) — fees eat returns. Choose fonds euros (safe) + unités de compte (ETF-based performance).
Time: 10 minutes in branch or online · Cost: Free, no fees
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport / CNI
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ NIR
Tip: Available at every French bank + La Banque Postale. If low income (<€22,419 single 2026), open a Livret d'Épargne Populaire (LEP) instead: 2.5% rate (from 1 February 2026), €10,000 ceiling. Tax-free and state-protected.
Time: 30 minutes to review · Cost: Free
Documents needed:
- ✓ FranceConnect account
- ✓ Previous employment attestations
Tip: Check every 2–3 years. Foreign work periods under EU Regulation 883/2004 or bilateral convention may be validated — submit copies of foreign employment records. CLEISS offers free cross-border coordination advice.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 30 minutes online · Cost: Free to open. Fees 0.5–0.8% (online) vs. 1.5–3% (traditional insurers).
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
- ✓ RIB
- ✓ KYC
Tip: Best online PER: Linxea Spirit 2, Yomoni Retraite, Nalo Patrimoine. Avoid PER bancaires (BNP, SG) — high fees. Sortie flexible at retirement: 100% capital or rente viagère. Anticipated exit for principal residence purchase allowed.
Time: 30 minutes per year · Cost: Free
Tip: Check your impots.gouv.fr taux de prélèvement à la source. Review CAF for benefit adjustments. Compare mutuelle annually. Check Navigo monthly rate. Adjust PER annual contribution before 31 December.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Where to go: lassuranceretraite.fr — online portal or by post to CNAV
Documents needed:
- ✓ Social Security number (NIR)
- ✓ Passport
- ✓ Proof of permanent departure from France
- ✓ Bank account details abroad
- ✓ Employment records in France (bulletins de salaire)
Local institution: CNAV — Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Vieillesse
Time: 15 minutes online · Cost: Free
Documents needed:
- ✓ Carte Vitale
- ✓ Code d'activation by post
- ✓ RIB fiscal
Tip: Grant access to your médecin traitant to speed up care. Upload directives anticipées and personne de confiance directly. Secure messaging with your doctors without email risk.
Time: N/A unless you request the optional document · Cost: Free
Tip: Your CNI or EU passport + justificatif de domicile is sufficient. Document de séjour permanent can help for mortgage applications, some HR formalities, or simply as identity proof in France.
Time: N/A · Cost: N/A
Documents needed:
- ✓ Titre de séjour in force
- ✓ Passport
Tip: Keep digital copies of documents. EES (EU Entry/Exit System) biometric checks for non-EU at external Schengen borders expected mid-2026.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: Dossier 2–3 days; processing 12–24 months · Cost: €255 timbre fiscal (from May 2026) + €40–80 translations
Documents needed:
- ✓ 5-year attestations de droits (CPAM)
- ✓ Avis d'imposition 5 years
- ✓ DELF B2 certificate
- ✓ Acte de naissance + translation + apostille
- ✓ Casier judiciaire home country
Tip: Start preparing at year 3. Dossier via ANEF. B2 DELF or B2 TCF/TEF required since 2026. Dual citizenship allowed since 1973 but check your home country's rules. Entretien d'assimilation ~1h in French.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Where to go: Nearest préfecture. Apply online at administration.gouv.fr or at the French consulate in your home country
Documents needed:
- ✓ University degree (apostilled or translated)
- ✓ Employment contract meeting salary threshold
- ✓ Passport
- ✓ Proof of accommodation
- ✓ Health insurance proof
- ✓ Application fee: €225
Local institution: Préfecture / Sous-préfecture
Time: 20 minutes online · Cost: €30–80/month single person; €60–150/month family
Deadline: From employment start or arrival
Documents needed:
- ✓ Carte Vitale or attestation
- ✓ RIB
- ✓ Identification
Tip: Compare at LesFurets, LeLynx, or UFC-Que Choisir comparatif. Providers: MGEN, Harmonie Mutuelle, MAIF, AG2R, Malakoff Humanis. Choose niveau couverture based on your needs (hospitalisation, optique, dentaire, médecines douces). Loi Hamon allows cancellation anytime after 1 year.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 30–60 minutes; optional 1 hour at notaire for testament authentique (€115) · Cost: Free (olographe); €115 + €12 registration for authentique
Documents needed:
- ✓ Pen and paper (no typing, no computer)
- ✓ Full name, date, location, signature
Tip: Deposit with a notaire (€25–125) and register at FCDDV (~€12) — searched automatically at death. Under EU Regulation 650/2012, foreign nationals may elect home-country law in writing; but Loi du 24 août 2021 limits effect where French children disinherited.
Time: 15 minutes · Cost: Free
Tip: Use the free form from service-public.fr. Register in Mon Espace Santé and share with your médecin traitant. Update every 3 years (technically no expiry since 2016 but review regularly).
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1 hour consultation; 3 months for property closing · Cost: Free consultation often; property frais de notaire 7–8% existing, 2–3% new
Tip: Find a notaire at notaires.fr. Buyer usually chooses; seller can bring their own (they share émoluments). Non-French speakers: bring a sworn interpreter — notaire reads the acte aloud and must ensure understanding.
Local institution: Notaire
Time: N/A · Cost: €0
Tip: Ignore any demand for "redevance audiovisuelle" — it is a scam. The contribution was abolished by the Loi de Finances rectificative pour 2022.
Time: 10 minutes online + 15 minutes at La Poste for FC+ · Cost: Free
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport / CNI + mobile phone
- ✓ A partner account (impots, ameli, La Poste)
Tip: FranceConnect uses your existing account — no new ID needed. FranceConnect+ required for sensitive transactions (change bank on Ameli, sign digital notarial acts) — activate via La Poste.
Time: 10 minutes online · Cost: €55 for 6 months; €87 for 12 months (2026)
Where to go: laposte.fr/reexpedition or any bureau de poste
Tip: Set up 5 days before move. Also notify: bank, CAF, CPAM, impots, employeur, assurance. Réexpédition is a safety net, not a substitute. Pack Ma Nouvelle Adresse notifies 60+ organisations automatically.
Time: 15 minutes online · Cost: Free
Tip: UK: British residents abroad service. US: STEP.state.gov. Australia: smartraveller.gov.au. Ireland: citizensabroad.ie. Canada: travel.gc.ca/register. Keep your consulate informed of address changes.
Time: 30 min to sign up; missions typically 2h/week+ · Cost: Free (bénévolat); Service Civique indemnisation €620/month
Tip: JeVeuxAider.gouv.fr (government portal) lists 1000s of missions. France Bénévolat has local bureaus in every region. Service Civique popular with 16–25-year-olds — apply via service-civique.gouv.fr.
Time: 30 minutes to find and join · Cost: €20–200/year typical adhésion
Tip: Forum des Associations in September/October in every town — all associations showcase. JeVeuxAider.gouv.fr for volunteer associations. AVF (Accueil des Villes Françaises) specifically hosts newcomers with cultural activities.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 2–4 hours with an expert-comptable or conseiller fiscal · Cost: €100–350 for professional consultation
Documents needed:
- ✓ Pension statements
- ✓ Tax return from home country
- ✓ Convention fiscale reference
Tip: UK state pension is only taxed in France (not UK) for French residents. US Social Security pensions are only taxable in the US under the US-France treaty. Consult a tax professional to avoid double taxation and claim correct credits on your impôts.gouv.fr return.
Time: 15 minutes online or in station · Cost: €32–91/month depending on city
Documents needed:
- ✓ Photo
- ✓ RIB
- ✓ Justificatif de domicile
Tip: Navigo Annuel €913/year = €76/month saves €151 vs. monthly. Navigo Liberté + for occasional users (pay-as-you-go, cheaper per trip). Children <4 free; 4–9 reduced fare.
Time: 30 minutes online; first payment within 1–2 months · Cost: Free
Documents needed:
- ✓ Numéro de sécurité sociale
- ✓ Titre de séjour (non-EU)
- ✓ Bail signé
- ✓ RIB
- ✓ Livret de famille (if children)
- ✓ Avis d'imposition
Tip: Simulate first at caf.fr to check eligibility. APL starts the month after full registration (not retroactive). Keep your déclaration trimestrielle up to date (every 3 months for RSA/Prime d'activité recipients).
Local institution: CAF — Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (Family Allowances Fund)