Moving to France - Registration Procedures

• Introduction

EU Factsheets: Housing

• Renting Accommodation

EU Factsheets: Family

• Educational System
• Family Life

EU Factsheets: Moving

• The System
• Registration Procedures
• Moving Goods & Capital
• Moving of Cars
• Finding Accommodation
• Finding a School
• Checklist

EU Factsheets: Lifestyle

• Cultural & Social Life

EU Factsheets: Working

• Working in France
• How to Find a Job
• Job Application
• Job Contracts
• Kinds of Employment
• Working Time
• Vocational Training
• Annual Leave
• End of Employment
• Remuneration
• Self Employment
• Worker Representation
• Work Disputes & Strikes

EU Factsheets: Money

• Taxes & Charges
• Cost of Living
• Pensions

EU Factsheets: Healthcare

• Health Systems
• General Organisation
• Sickness Insurance
• Family & Benefits
• Unemployment Insurance
• Health Card
• E-forms

Nationals from the European Economic Area and Switzerland have no obligations as regards residence permits. However, if they want, they can apply for one at the préfecture, the town hall of the place of residence or the police station. They are not subject to work permits.

Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania

Salaried employment, of any duration, in France is still subject to a work permit being issued beforehand (compulsory before starting any work) in addition to an obligatory residence permit for employees working in France for more than 3 months.

It is the responsibility of the French employer to apply for the work permit from the relevant Departmental Directorate for Labour, Employment and Vocational Training (DDTEFP).

It is the employee who applies for the residence permit, after having obtained the work permit and within a period of 3 months after arriving in France This is applied for at the préfecture or, failing that, at the town hall of the place of residence. 

Bulgarian and Romanian nationals, who hold a Masters 2 obtained in France, are automatically entitled to access to the French employment market.

Third Country Nationals

They have to obtain information from their consulate or from the French consulate in the country where they are living.

Third country nationals with long-term resident status in another Member State do not have access to the French employment market. After 3 months, if they can provide evidence of sufficient resources and health insurance, they can obtain a “visitor’s” residence permit which does not allow them to work but is the first step towards entitling them to a change of status (towards obtaining the status of a salaried employee, if appropriate).

Further Information

• Ministry of the Interior
• Service Public, the French Civil Service
  
• OFII, the National Immigration & Integration Office
  

Text last edited on: 03/2010