Leaving France & Moving On

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Leaving France & Moving On

When leaving France and moving on, there are a number of tasks to be completed before departure.

• British citizens will find useful information for returning to the UK, including a checklist of things to do, on the Directgov website: Click here
• US citizens can consult their Government's travel website for tips on returning: Click here
• Australians should consult their government website:  Click here

Local Authorities

The French government passed the "Sarkozy Law" on 26 November 2003. This law proclaims that EU, EEE or Swiss citizens who choose to reside in France are no longer legally required to obtain a residence permit (carte de séjour) provided they possess an alternative ID from their home country and proof of address in France. A passport plus a document such as an electricity bill displaying the resident's address in France will suffice.

EU citizens who never obtained a carte de sejour therefore do not need to notify the préfecture of their departure since they never held a residence permit. However, it is suggested they notify the town hall (mairie) and leave a forwarding address.

If registered to vote in France, notify the authorities before departure. Re-register on the electoral role if appropriate in the new place of residence.

There is no exit visa required to leave France.

Education

Give schools a reasonable amount of notice of a child's departure. There may be outstanding bills for school fees, transport or meals to be settled.

Many schools require a certificate stating the latest grade passed by the child. Request this from the school when you give notice of departure. French schools will normally provide a summary of a child's progress and up-to-date test results which will be in French. For nursery and primary pupils this is the le livret scolaire and for secondary pupils it will be the bulletins which have been issued for the school year to date and any notes regarding the likely advancement of the child (décision d'orientation).

Primary schools usually issue a certificat de radiation (which removes a child's name from the register) and secondary schools have a certificat de sortie. Although these are intended for parents who are relocating within France, they should still be issued.

Leave a forwarding address for any correspondence.

Housing Issues

Rental contract

Rental agreements usually have a minimum notice period, which must be observed. In France this is six weeks before the end of the contract or three months at any other period during the agreement.

There may or may not be a refundable deposit or a penalty payment if the rental is being terminated earlier than anticipated. The landlord may need to visit and inspect the property prior to departure.

If the landlord cannot find a new tenant and does not agree to the early termination, the departing tenant will likely have to pay a penalty of three months' rent.

Property sales

Property sales can take a relatively long time in France. Finding a buyer can be difficult and there are frequently-changing requirements for various necessary surveys. Some of these surveys are the responsibility of the seller. It is suggested to find an agent to market the house and seek professional legal and financial advice before selling.

Insurance

House insurance can be cancelled once a sale is completed and in some circumstances a partial refund may be due. Insurance must be cancelled in writing and the letter sent by recorded delivery ("AR").

Utility bills

As with any house move, there are utility bills to be settled and meters to be read. If meters are not outside, access to the property will be required. Leave a forwarding address with all the companies involved.

Electricity: Electricité de France (EDF) will need to come and take a reading when the property has been vacated. When cancelling service, refer to the account number in all correspondence.

• EDF can be contacted by telephone or via the website. See the website for information on moving house: Click here (in French)

Gas: In towns where there is mains gas, a meter reading will be necessary and a final bill will need to be calculated and paid.

• For contact information for GDF, see the GDF website: Click here (in French)

In rural areas it is more likely that gas is supplied from a tank (citerne) or runs on bottled gas. For properties with a tank, contact the supplier who may wish to remove it if the new occupants are not intending to continue to use them as a supplier. A refund may be available if a refundable deposit was paid out on installation of the tank. If there is any remaining gas in the tank that has been paid for then this may also be subject to a refund. Any final bill may also involve the calculation of standing charges which have been paid or are due.

Gas bottles can similarly be returned and in some cases there will have been a deposit paid for the initial bottle which is refundable on return.

Water: In France this is often supplied by a local company or even via your commune with bills issued by the town hall (mairie). Notify them in advance of departure so that a meter reading can be arranged.

Telephone and Internet: For most people, disconnecting service will require contacting France Telecom and/or Orange. France Telecom has a free-phone client services number of 1014.

Alternatively call into the local branch or contact them online.

• For the France Telecom website: Click here 

Internet customers with a rental "Live Box" will need to return this to their local branch or arrange collection.

Health Care

Any private health insurance cover which has been in force may need changing or cancelling.

Holders of a Carte Vitale should contact their nearest CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie) office. If leaving France permanently, the Carte Vitale will need to be surrendered.

Anyone who has received dental or medical treatment whilst in France, should ask for copies of records or have them forwarded to their new practitioner.

Business and Tax Issues

Banking

To settle all final bills (in Euros) it is likely a French bank account will be required for a short period.

Account closures should be done either in person at the branch where they were opened or by letter sent by recorded delivery to the branch. This letter needs to contain instructions for the disposal of any remaining balance. Note that banks may try to charge for closing an account but they are no longer legally permitted to do so. Leave a forwarding address for future correspondence.

Credit card companies will also need to be notified of a new address for statements.

Tax

Anyone who has been completing a tax return in France should get in touch with the local tax office (centre des impots). This applies as well if a business was operated. There may be outstanding payments or refunds due.

• For more information, consult the French government administration site: Click here (in French)

Correspondence

The French postal service (La Poste) offers a mail forwarding service (reexpedition du courier) to addresses outside France. There is a charge, and a minimum of five days notice is required to set up the service. The service is offered for 6 or 12 months. Subscribe at the local post office or at the postal service website.

• For the French postal service website: Click here (in French)

Vehicles and Driving

Vehicles registered in France (including cars which have been imported and subsequently re-registered in France) can leave the country with their French plates. As a general rule a maximum of three months is allowed before the vehicle should be registered in a new place of residence and the French plates given up.

• If moving to another EU country, further information can be found at the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Driving in France

French insurance companies will provide proof of no claims bonus if requested.

Animals

Depending on the destination, some animals may require a period of quarantine. They will almost certainly require documentation and possible additional vaccinations or similar medical treatment.

Most domestic pets require documentation before they can travel. The EU pet passport covers dogs, cats and ferrets for movement within Europe and the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) allows qualifying domestic pets to travel to and from the UK without a period of quarantine.

Be aware that sudden outbreaks of diseases (such as avian flu) can affect pet travel. As a general rule animals have to travel in approved containers and by approved routes.

The French Customs Authority provides clear information on the regulations for travelling with domestic mammals, fish, amphibians, birds, rodents and reptiles.

• For the French Customs Authority website: Click here

If there is any doubt about vaccinations and passports for your pets consult your vet well before departure. Alternatively Embassy websites are a good source of information.

• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Pet Travel & Moving With Animals provides further details and links to other useful sites.

Further Information

• The French government website (some portions in English)
• British Embassy, France
• United States Embassy, France
• Canadian Embassy, France
• Australian Embassy, France