Moving House in France

A checklist of things you need to do when moving house in France...
Moving house always requires planning and preparation; here are some tips and points about what must be done when moving in France. If renting property, take note of the rental notice period in the agreement made with the landlord - the notice period is usually three months.
Service Public provides a service to help you with a change of address when moving house in France (in French). The service can be used up to 3 months before and no later than 3 months after you move. Via this service you can update your address details with the CPAM (social security), tax office, utility services, the unemployment office (if applicable) and the Post Office.
Electricity
Électricité de France (EDF) EDF is traditionally the main supplier of domestic electricity in France although no longer the only option. When moving residence:- Take a reading of the electricity meter on the day of vacating the property. Give this reading, together with the customer/client name and account number associated with that EDF contract for the property, to the new tenant/owner (this facilitates the account changeover process).
- On moving into the new property, take a meter reading then contact EDF providing this reading along with the previous occupier's customer number and name. This establishes a new account with EDF.
- Client reference number (printed on the top left hand corner of an EDF bill) and full name of the previous occupier as it appears on the bill
- Find details on the procedure when moving house (in French)
Engie advise that accounts should be terminated one week before moving. Notification of a move can be made online through the Engie website. Customers who wish to remain with Engie can do so by completing a 2-1 application form online or by contacting them directly.
Contact Engie to submit the reading; a final bill is sent. They require the following information:
- Client reference number (nine digits at the top left corner of an invoice)
- Mobile telephone number (or land line if no mobile number is available)
- To contact Engie by telephone, Tel: 09 69 399 993 (Monday-Friday 09:00-20:00 Saturday 09:00-13:00
Water
- More information about domestic water in France and cancelling a contract
Telephone and Internet
Post
- To fill in the form online see the La Poste website
- Proof of identity
- Proof of the old address
- Details of the new address
Identity documents
Holders of a Carte de Séjour/Titre de Séjour should apply for the change of address stamp to be added to their residence card. This is done in person at the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture. Provide the following documents:- Passport
- Carte/Titre de Séjour
- Proof of address (utility bill - gas, water or electricity, or a rent receipt)
- 3 passport-type photographs may be required
Driving licence
A change of address can be handwritten on the back of a French driver's licence; it is not necessary to notify the Préfecture.Motor vehicle registration (Certificat d'immatriculation):
Insurance
Notify vehicle, property, health and life insurance companies of the change of address. Home insurance can be transferred to a new property, but if the new home is a dramatically different size, the insurance premium is likely to be re-assessed.- Information on how to modify a home insurance contract (in French)
- Learn how to cancel a home insurance policy (in French)
Bank
Notify banks in writing of the new address, include account holder's names, account numbers, old and new address. Most banks will need written proof of a change of address, such as a utility bill. Allow enough time to print new cheque books.Social security
Unless a change of address has been submitted to the government website (see above), you will need to notify the social security office (Caisse d'Assurance Maladie, CPAM) of a change of address so that files may be transferred to a new office if necessary.- When communicating with CPAM always quote the social security number (found on the Carte Vitale and on salary slips - bulletins de salaire)
- After a change of address (or status), update the Carte Vitale by inserting it into a Carte Vitale terminal (the green box in pharmacies, CPAM offices and some Mairies)
- Visit Ameli to download the form (PDF in French)
- Further information is available from the French social security website, Ameli (l'Assurance Maladie), in French.
Municipal Schools
Crèche: Contact the Mairie of the new area as soon as possible in order to enrol children. Give notice at the current crèche; be aware there is usually a one-month notice period at crèches.Pets
Easily overlooked is the need to update address information with the animal registry. To file a change of address for tattooed or microchipped animals, contact:Other Contacts
- Contact shops where credit or a frequent customer/loyalty account is held
- Contact regular suppliers such as accountants