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France

Capital: Paris

Last verified: 2026-02-20

Fees, fines, and deadlines are approximate and may change. Always verify with official sources.

Key Registrations & Procedures

Declaration of Residence (Déclaration de domicile)

Town Hall (Mairie)

Deadline: No strict legal deadline for EU citizens, but recommended within 3 months. Required for most administrative procedures.
Processing Time: Same day. Attestation de domicile issued immediately.
💰Fees: Free
📅Appointment: Varies by mairie. Paris arrondissements often require appointments; smaller towns are walk-in.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card
  • Proof of address — utility bill (facture EDF, eau, internet) in your name, or rental contract (bail de location) + attestation d'hébergement if staying with someone
  • Completed declaration form (Cerfa form — available at the mairie or online at service-public.fr)
Where to Do It:

Your local Mairie (town hall) — go to the one in the commune where you live. In Paris: the Mairie of your arrondissement (1er–20e). Service-public.fr has a directory to find your mairie.

If You Don't Do It:

No direct fine for EU citizens, but without a proof of address (justificatif de domicile) you may not be able to open a bank account, get a phone contract, register for social security, or complete virtually any French administrative procedure.

Regional Variations: Procedures vary slightly by commune. Paris and major cities may require appointments. Rural mairies are usually walk-in.
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Social Security Number (Numéro de Sécurité Sociale)

CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie)

Deadline: Apply as soon as you start working or residing in France. Mandatory for healthcare access.
Processing Time: 1–3 months for temporary number. Permanent number (NIR): 3–6 months. Can take longer during peak periods.
💰Fees: Free
📅Appointment: No appointment needed — apply by mail or online at ameli.fr.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card (certified copy)
  • Birth certificate (acte de naissance) — must be translated by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté) and apostilled
  • Proof of address in France (justificatif de domicile — utility bill or rental contract)
  • Proof of activity — employment contract (contrat de travail), student enrollment, or proof of stable residence
  • RIB (bank account details — Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) for reimbursements
  • Completed Cerfa form 15763*02 (for EU citizens not yet employed) or S1 form (from home country if transferring rights)
Where to Do It:

Apply by post or online at ameli.fr. Your local CPAM office handles processing — find yours at ameli.fr by entering your postcode. Paris has CPAM offices per arrondissement.

If You Don't Do It:

Without a social security number you pay full price for medical expenses (no reimbursement). You also may not be able to access French healthcare, receive salary properly (employer needs your number for social contributions), or claim benefits.

Regional Variations: Same national system but processing times vary by CPAM office. Paris and Île-de-France are notoriously slow.
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Tax Registration (Numéro fiscal)

Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP)

Deadline: You must file a tax return the year after your arrival if you are a tax resident (183+ days in France)
Processing Time: Numéro fiscal assigned within 2–4 weeks of first filing or employer registration.
💰Fees: Free
📅Appointment: No appointment needed for online registration. In-person at your local Service des Impôts des Particuliers (SIP).
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card
  • Proof of address in France
  • Employment contract or proof of income
  • Completed income tax form (Cerfa 2042 — available online at impots.gouv.fr)
  • RIB for tax payments/refunds
Where to Do It:

Online at impots.gouv.fr (create account with numéro fiscal). First-time registration: visit or write to your local SIP (Service des Impôts des Particuliers). Find yours at impots.gouv.fr > Contact.

If You Don't Do It:

Late filing penalty: 10% surcharge on tax owed, increasing to 40% after formal notice. All residents are required to file even if they owe nothing.

Regional Variations: Same tax system nationwide. Online filing available and recommended.
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