Moving to France is exciting, but once you’ve arrived, everyday administration can quickly take over.

Instead of exploring your new neighborhood or finding your favorite bakery, you may find yourself dealing with residence documents, proof of address, bank appointments, phone contracts, health insurance, utility accounts, and tax forms. And even when a procedure is available online, the vocabulary can make it difficult to know exactly what you’re being asked to do.

The good news is that you don’t need perfect French to get settled. Knowing which tasks to prioritize, which documents to keep ready, and which phrases to use can make the process much easier.

This guide walks you through eight important steps for settling into life in France, with practical French for the situations you’re most likely to encounter.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to:

• handle common immigration and residence procedures
• prepare proof of address and other frequently requested documents
• open a French bank account
• get a French phone plan
• arrange utilities and internet
• navigate health insurance and Social Security
• understand the basics of French tax administration
• communicate more confidently during everyday appointments

Requirements vary according to your nationality, immigration status, employment, and individual situation, so always check the current instructions for your specific procedure.

Table of Contents

Why This Moving to France Checklist Is Different

Most moving guides tell you what to do:

Open a bank account. Get a phone number. Sort out your health insurance.

But once you’re actually standing at a counter or speaking to someone on the phone, another question becomes much more important:

“What do I actually say?”

That’s where this guide is different.

For each major step, you’ll find:

• what the procedure generally involves
• documents or information you may need
• useful French vocabulary
• practical phrases
• realistic dialogue examples
• common points that surprise new residents

Think of it as both a moving checklist and a practical survival-French guide for your first weeks in France.

What Should You Do After Moving to France?

Quick Answer

Your priorities will depend on your circumstances, but many new residents should think about these eight areas:

1. Complete the immigration or residence formalities that apply to you.
2. Establish proof of your French address and update relevant services.
3. Open a French bank account.
4. Get a French phone number.
5. Set up electricity, gas, water, and internet as needed.
6. Arrange health coverage and Social Security.
7. Understand your French tax obligations.
8. Learn practical French for everyday life.

Some of these steps depend on one another. For example, banks and other organizations commonly ask for a justificatif de domicile, or “proof of address,” so getting suitable address documentation early can make later procedures easier.

Your First Month in France: A Practical Timeline

Not every task will be completed on the same schedule, and some procedures can take longer than a month. A useful approach is to start the highest-priority tasks early.

Time	What to Do
First days	Move in and collect documents proving your French address
First days/weeks	Complete any immigration procedure that applies to your visa or status
Week 1	Arrange electricity, gas, water, or internet if necessary
Week 1-2	Start opening a French bank account
Week 1-2	Get a French phone number or mobile plan
First weeks	Start or confirm your health-insurance/Social Security procedure
First months	Organize documents for future tax and administrative procedures
Ongoing	Practice practical French for appointments and daily life

If you entered France with a VLS-TS that requires validation, it generally needs to be validated online within three months of arrival. Other residence procedures may follow different routes, including ANEF or your local prefecture, depending on your status.

Documents You’ll Use Again and Again

Keeping your important documents together can save a lot of time.

Depending on your situation, useful documents may include:

• passport
• visa or residence permit
• rental contract
• quittance de loyer (“rent receipt”)
• electricity, gas, water, or phone bill
• attestation d’hébergement if someone is hosting you
• employment contract or student documentation
• bank details
• birth certificate and, where required, an official translation
• French Social Security documents once issued
• tax documents once you receive them

One expression you’ll see constantly is:

un justificatif de domicile
“proof of address”

Depending on the procedure, accepted proof can include items such as utility bills, rent receipts, tax documents, or housing-insurance documents. If you’re staying with someone else, you may instead need an attestation d’hébergement plus supporting documents from the person hosting you.

Step 1: Complete Your Immigration and Residence Procedures

The first step depends heavily on your nationality and immigration status.

You may need to:

• validate a long-stay visa
• apply for a residence permit
• renew a residence permit
• report a change of situation
• report a new address
• upload supporting documents
• respond to requests from the administration

France increasingly handles foreign-resident procedures online through ANEF, although not every situation follows exactly the same route.

For more detailed immigration vocabulary and practical expressions, see French for the Immigration Office: 40 Visa Renewal Phrases You’ll Actually Need.

Essential French Phrases

French	English
Je voudrais valider mon visa long séjour.	“I’d like to validate my long-stay visa.”
Je voudrais faire une demande de titre de séjour.	“I’d like to apply for a residence permit.”
Quels documents dois-je fournir ?	“Which documents do I need to provide?”
Où puis-je déposer ma demande ?	“Where can I submit my application?”
J’ai reçu cette attestation.	“I received this certificate.”
Mon titre de séjour expire bientôt.	“My residence permit expires soon.”
Je n’ai pas bien compris.	“I didn’t quite understand.”
Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?	“Could you repeat, please?”

Sample Dialogue

Employee:

Bonjour. Quel est l’objet de votre demande ?
“Hello. What is your application about?”

You:

Je voudrais faire une demande de titre de séjour.
“I’d like to apply for a residence permit.”

Employee:

Vous avez déjà déposé votre dossier en ligne ?
“Have you already submitted your application online?”

You:

Oui. J’ai reçu cette attestation.
“Yes. I received this certificate.”

Employee:

Très bien. Vous avez votre passeport ?
“Very good. Do you have your passport?”

You:

Oui, le voici.
“Yes, here it is.”

Step 2: Establish Proof of Address and Update Your Details

Unlike Japan, France does not have one general ward-office registration procedure that every new resident completes after moving in.

Instead, your address matters across many different systems.

You’ll often need proof of where you live when dealing with:

• banks
• immigration
• health insurance
• phone or internet providers
• tax administration
• other government services

That makes a reliable justificatif de domicile one of the most useful documents you can establish early.

Essential French Phrases

French	English
J’ai besoin d’un justificatif de domicile.	“I need proof of address.”
Je viens d’emménager.	“I just moved in.”
Est-ce que cette facture est acceptée comme justificatif de domicile ?	“Is this bill accepted as proof of address?”
Je suis hébergé(e) chez un proche.	“I’m staying with a relative or friend.”
Je voudrais signaler mon changement d’adresse.	“I’d like to report my change of address.”
Puis-je faire cette démarche en ligne ?	“Can I do this procedure online?”

Sample Dialogue

Employee:

Vous avez un justificatif de domicile ?
“Do you have proof of address?”

You:

Oui. J’ai une facture d’électricité à mon nom.
“Yes. I have an electricity bill in my name.”

Employee:

Elle date de quand ?
“How old is it?”

You:

Elle date du mois dernier.
“It’s from last month.”

Step 3: Open a French Bank Account

A French bank account can make everyday life much easier.

You may use it for:

• receiving your salary
• paying rent
• setting up automatic payments
• paying utility bills
• receiving reimbursements
• handling recurring subscriptions

Requirements vary by bank, but banks commonly ask for identification and proof of residence when you apply for an individual account.

If a bank refuses to open an account and you meet the conditions, France also has a droit au compte procedure through the Banque de France.

Essential French Phrases

French	English
Je voudrais ouvrir un compte bancaire.	“I’d like to open a bank account.”
Quels justificatifs dois-je fournir ?	“Which supporting documents do I need to provide?”
Voici mon justificatif de domicile.	“Here’s my proof of address.”
Puis-je avoir une carte bancaire ?	“Can I get a bank card?”
Quand vais-je recevoir ma carte ?	“When will I receive my card?”
Y a-t-il des frais mensuels ?	“Are there monthly fees?”

Sample Dialogue

Bank Employee:

Bonjour. Que puis-je faire pour vous ?
“Hello. What can I do for you?”

You:

Je voudrais ouvrir un compte bancaire.
“I’d like to open a bank account.”

Employee:

Vous avez une pièce d’identité et un justificatif de domicile ?
“Do you have ID and proof of address?”

You:

Oui, voici mon passeport et mon justificatif de domicile.
“Yes. Here’s my passport and proof of address.”

Useful Vocabulary

un compte bancaire — “bank account”

une carte bancaire — “bank card”

un RIB — “bank-account details”

un virement — “bank transfer”

un prélèvement automatique — “direct debit”

un justificatif — “supporting document”

Step 4: Get a French Phone Number

A French phone number is useful for much more than making calls.

You may need one for:

• account verification
• deliveries
• appointments
• banking
• work
• housing
• administrative communication

Mobile plans in France include both contracts with commitments and flexible sans engagement plans.

Essential French Phrases

French	English
Je voudrais un forfait mobile.	“I’d like a mobile plan.”
Je voudrais seulement une carte SIM.	“I’d just like a SIM card.”
Combien coûte le forfait par mois ?	“How much does the plan cost per month?”
Est-ce qu’il y a un engagement ?	“Is there a minimum contract period?”
Avez-vous une offre sans engagement ?	“Do you have a no-commitment plan?”
Puis-je payer avec une carte étrangère ?	“Can I pay with a foreign card?”

Sample Dialogue

Employee:

Vous cherchez un téléphone ou seulement un forfait ?
“Are you looking for a phone or just a plan?”

You:

Seulement un forfait, s’il vous plaît.
“Just a plan, please.”

Employee:

Avec ou sans engagement ?
“With or without a commitment?”

You:

Sans engagement, si possible.
“Without a commitment, if possible.”

Step 5: Set Up Electricity, Gas, Water, and Internet

When you move into a French apartment, some services may already be active, while others may need to be transferred or opened in your name.

Depending on the property, you may need to arrange:

• electricity
• gas
• water
• internet
• home insurance

Water is sometimes managed through the building or included in your charges, while electricity and gas contracts are commonly handled individually.

Essential French Phrases

French	English
Je voudrais mettre le contrat d’électricité à mon nom.	“I’d like to put the electricity contract in my name.”
Je viens d’emménager.	“I just moved in.”
Je voudrais ouvrir le compteur de gaz.	“I’d like to have the gas service activated.”
L’eau est-elle comprise dans les charges ?	“Is water included in the charges?”
Quand le technicien peut-il passer ?	“When can the technician come?”
Je voudrais installer Internet.	“I’d like to have internet installed.”

Sample Dialogue

Representative:

Vous êtes déjà dans le logement ?
“Are you already living in the property?”

You:

Oui, je viens d’emménager.
“Yes, I just moved in.”

Representative:

Vous avez l’adresse complète ?
“Do you have the full address?”

You:

Oui. Je voudrais mettre le contrat d’électricité à mon nom.
“Yes. I’d like to put the electricity contract in my name.”

Step 6: Arrange Health Insurance and Social Security

France’s health system can feel complicated at first because you’ll encounter several related terms:

la Sécurité sociale
“Social Security”

l’Assurance Maladie
“Health Insurance”

la CPAM
“the local health-insurance office”

le numéro de sécurité sociale
“Social Security number”

la carte Vitale
“French health-insurance card”

Under France’s PUMa system, people who work in France or reside there on a stable and regular basis can have healthcare costs covered on an individual and continuous basis.

The exact enrollment route depends on circumstances such as employment, student status, nationality, and previous insurance coverage.

Essential French Phrases

French	English
Je voudrais m’inscrire à l’Assurance Maladie.	“I’d like to register for French health insurance.”
Comment obtenir un numéro de sécurité sociale ?	“How can I get a Social Security number?”
Quels documents dois-je envoyer à la CPAM ?	“Which documents do I need to send to the CPAM?”
J’ai commencé à travailler en France.	“I’ve started working in France.”
Quand vais-je recevoir ma carte Vitale ?	“When will I receive my carte Vitale?”
Dois-je choisir un médecin traitant ?	“Do I need to choose a primary doctor?”

Sample Dialogue

Employee:

Vous avez déjà un numéro de sécurité sociale ?
“Do you already have a Social Security number?”

You:

Non. Comment puis-je en obtenir un ?
“No. How can I get one?”

Employee:

Vous travaillez actuellement en France ?
“Are you currently working in France?”

You:

Oui, j’ai commencé à travailler ce mois-ci.
“Yes, I started working this month.”

Step 7: Understand Taxes in France

Taxes are another area where the vocabulary may be more intimidating than the basic idea.

Important terms include:

l’impôt sur le revenu
“income tax”

le prélèvement à la source
“withholding at source”

la déclaration de revenus
“income-tax return”

le numéro fiscal
“tax number”

l’avis d’impôt
“tax notice”

If you become a French tax resident, your filing obligations depend on your circumstances and the income you receive. France uses withholding at source for many types of income, but withholding does not necessarily eliminate the need for an annual income-tax declaration.

One important difference from older moving guides is that taxe d’habitation has been abolished for principal residences, although it can still apply to certain second homes.

Essential French Phrases

French	English
Je voudrais créer mon espace particulier.	“I’d like to create my personal tax account.”
Je fais ma première déclaration de revenus en France.	“I’m filing my first income-tax return in France.”
Quel formulaire dois-je remplir ?	“Which form do I need to fill out?”
Où puis-je trouver mon numéro fiscal ?	“Where can I find my tax number?”
Je voudrais signaler mon changement d’adresse.	“I’d like to report my change of address.”
Pouvez-vous m’expliquer cet avis d’impôt ?	“Could you explain this tax notice to me?”

Step 8: Learn Survival French for Daily Life

If there’s one skill that makes every other step easier, it’s practical French.

You don’t need to speak perfectly.

What matters most is being able to:

• explain why you’re there
• ask what documents are required
• say that you don’t understand
• ask someone to repeat
• ask someone to speak more slowly
• confirm what you need to do next

If you want focused practice with essential everyday expressions, the FrenchPod101 Survival Phrases series covers useful French for common real-life situations.

Four Sentence Patterns You’ll Use Everywhere

Asking for Something

Je voudrais…
“I’d like…”

Examples:

Je voudrais ouvrir un compte.
“I’d like to open an account.”

Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous.
“I’d like to make an appointment.”

Asking What You Need

De quoi ai-je besoin ?
“What do I need?”

Quels documents dois-je fournir ?
“Which documents do I need to provide?”

Asking for Clarification

Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?
“Could you repeat, please?”

Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement, s’il vous plaît ?
“Could you speak more slowly, please?”

Saying You Don’t Understand

Je n’ai pas bien compris.
“I didn’t quite understand.”

Je parle un peu français.
“I speak a little French.”

These simple expressions can keep a conversation moving even when you don’t understand every word.

15 Survival French Phrases You’ll Use Everywhere

French	English
Bonjour.	“Hello.”
S’il vous plaît.	“Please.”
Merci beaucoup.	“Thank you very much.”
Excusez-moi.	“Excuse me.”
Je ne comprends pas.	“I don’t understand.”
Pouvez-vous répéter ?	“Could you repeat?”
Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ?	“Could you speak more slowly?”
Parlez-vous anglais ?	“Do you speak English?”
De quoi ai-je besoin ?	“What do I need?”
Quels documents dois-je fournir ?	“Which documents do I need to provide?”
Où dois-je aller ?	“Where do I need to go?”
Où dois-je signer ?	“Where do I need to sign?”
Est-ce que c’est correct ?	“Is this correct?”
Que dois-je faire ensuite ?	“What do I need to do next?”
Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous.	“I’d like to make an appointment.”

If you can use these confidently, you’ll already be able to handle the basics of many everyday interactions.

Essential Moving to France Cheat Sheet

Most Useful Situational Phrases

Situation	French
Immigration	Je voudrais faire une demande de titre de séjour.
Proof of address	J’ai besoin d’un justificatif de domicile.
Bank	Je voudrais ouvrir un compte bancaire.
Phone	Je voudrais un forfait mobile.
Electricity	Je voudrais mettre le contrat d’électricité à mon nom.
Internet	Je voudrais installer Internet.
Health insurance	Je voudrais m’inscrire à l’Assurance Maladie.
Taxes	Je fais ma première déclaration de revenus en France.
Clarification	Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?

Administrative Vocabulary

French	English
un titre de séjour	“residence permit”
un justificatif de domicile	“proof of address”
un justificatif	“supporting document”
un rendez-vous	“appointment”
un dossier	“application file”
une attestation	“certificate / confirmation document”
un compte bancaire	“bank account”
un RIB	“bank-account details”
la Sécurité sociale	“Social Security”
la carte Vitale	“health-insurance card”
le numéro fiscal	“tax number”
un avis d’impôt	“tax notice”

How to Prepare Before You Move

The easiest way to reduce stress is not to memorize hundreds of isolated words.

Practice the conversations you’re actually likely to have.

Before moving, focus on situations such as:

• immigration
• housing
• banking
• getting a phone plan
• setting up utilities
• health insurance
• visiting a doctor
• asking for help

Learn Complete Dialogues

Instead of memorizing only:

Je voudrais ouvrir un compte bancaire.
“I’d like to open a bank account.”

practice what may come next:

Vous avez une pièce d’identité ?
“Do you have ID?”

Oui, voici mon passeport.
“Yes, here’s my passport.”

Vous avez un justificatif de domicile ?
“Do you have proof of address?”

Oui, le voici.
“Yes, here it is.”

Learning the whole exchange helps you prepare not just for what you’ll say, but also for what you’ll hear.

Listen Every Day

You don’t need a long study session.

Even a short daily routine can help:

• review useful vocabulary
• listen to one short dialogue
• repeat key lines aloud
• practice one situation you’re likely to encounter

Consistency matters more than trying to memorize everything at once. The FrenchPod101 Lesson Library lets you browse lessons by level and topic, so you can practice vocabulary and listening without planning everything from scratch.

Learn Practical French with FrenchPod101

Moving to France isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary. It’s about feeling comfortable enough to communicate when you actually need something.

Practical French can help with:

• government procedures
• banking
• healthcare
• housing
• shopping
• transportation
• work
• everyday conversations

Listening to realistic dialogues is especially useful because it prepares you for both sides of the conversation: what you need to say and what the other person may say back.

You can also practice vocabulary recall with French visual flashcards, which cover words across a wide range of everyday topics.

Whether you’re preparing before your move or you’ve already arrived in France, practicing these situations in advance can make daily life feel much less intimidating.

For a broader collection of practical French organized around the situations residents encounter every day, read The Ultimate French Guide for Living in France: 160+ Essential Phrases for Visa, Immigration, Moving & Daily Life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my address at a mairie after moving to France?

France does not generally use the same universal municipal address-registration system found in some other countries. Instead, you’ll normally provide proof of address to the individual administrations and services that need it, and you may need to report address changes separately to organizations such as immigration or tax authorities.

What is a justificatif de domicile?

A justificatif de domicile is proof of your French address.

Depending on the procedure, it might be a utility bill, rent receipt, tax document, housing-insurance document, or another accepted document.

If you’re staying with another person, you may instead need an attestation d’hébergement and supporting documents from your host.

Do I have to validate my long-stay visa?

It depends on the visa you hold.

If you have a VLS-TS that requires validation, it generally needs to be validated online within three months of arriving in France.

Can I open a French bank account as a foreign resident?

Yes, legally resident foreign nationals can open individual bank accounts in France, although each bank will verify the required documentation.

If you’re refused and meet the relevant conditions, the Banque de France’s droit au compte procedure may be available.

What is a RIB?

A RIB, or relevé d’identité bancaire, contains your French bank-account details.

You’ll often be asked for one when setting up payments or receiving transfers.

What is a carte Vitale?

The carte Vitale is the French health-insurance card used to transmit information for healthcare reimbursement.

It is connected to your French health-insurance rights and Social Security record.

Do I need French health insurance if I work in France?

The exact procedure depends on your situation, but professional activity in France can establish health-insurance entitlement under PUMa. People who reside in France stably and regularly may also qualify through residence.

Do I still need to file a tax return if tax is deducted from my salary?

Potentially, yes.

France uses withholding at source for many types of income, but residents can still have annual declaration obligations. Rules for your first year in France depend on your previous and current tax situation.

Do people still pay taxe d’habitation on their main home?

No. The taxe d’habitation on principal residences has been abolished. It can still apply to certain second homes.

What’s the fastest way to improve my French after moving?

Practice the conversations you actually have.

Review the vocabulary you saw at the bank, repeat the questions you heard during an appointment, and listen to realistic dialogues so those expressions become familiar before you need them again.

Final Thoughts

Moving to France comes with a long list of administrative tasks, but you don’t need to master all of them at once.

Start with the procedures that apply to your immigration status and housing situation. Get your important documents organized. Establish proof of address. Then work through banking, phone service, utilities, healthcare, and taxes one step at a time.

And remember: you don’t need perfect French.

Being able to say Je voudrais…, ask Quels documents dois-je fournir ?, or simply admit Je n’ai pas bien compris can be enough to move a conversation forward.

Every appointment gives you another chance to recognize the vocabulary, ask a question, and become more comfortable handling everyday life in France.

When you’re ready to keep building practical French through dialogues, vocabulary, and listening practice, start learning real-life French with FrenchPod101.