Description
Are you thinking of moving abroad to advance your career in research ? Follow our checklist before leaving France.
If you are leaving rented accommodation:
- Make sure that you give notice of your intention to leave the accommodation you have been renting well in time ! Inform in writing your landlord (or the letting agency) of your departure by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt ("lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception") in compliance with the contractual notice period stipulated in your rental agreement - normally 1 to 3 months prior to your moving-out date. Please note that if you fail to comply with this procedure, your deposit will not be given back.
- Schedule the exit inspection with your landlord (or the letting agency) to get back the rental deposit. Your moving-in deposit may not be fully returned if damage has been done to the property during your tenancy and repairs are needed before the property can be let again. If the deposit is not fully returned, the landlord (or the letting agency) must provide you with receipts for expenses. On the day you move out, you will be required to leave keys with the landlord (or with the letting agency).
- Notify the energy suppliers (gas and electricity) of the date of your departure and check the requirements for terminating contracts.
- Terminate contracts with all the other service providers : water supplier, landline and mobile telephone, television and internet, house insurance (by phone or by sending a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt depending on the companies).
- For further information, consult the housing guide available in the accommodation section of this website.
Notify the following administrations of your departure :
- Tax office : le service des impôts
- Family/housing allowances : la Caisse d'allocations familiales (Caf)
- Social security : la Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM)
- Pension fund : la Caisse de Retraite
You can notify all those administrations in one single step online.
You can also inform La Poste of your change of address. La Poste will redirect your mail abroad so you don't miss any important mail (paid service).
Letter to the tax office
Your full name
Your address
Your email address
Centre des Impôts de Rennes (example)
2 Bd de Magenta
35000 Rennes
………… (place of residence) le …/…/202… (date)
OBJET: déménagement à l’étranger
Mes références:
N° identifiant fiscal: …… (tax identification number)
Madame, Monsieur,
Par la présente je tiens à vous informer de mon déménagement à l’étranger le .../.../202... (moving date)
Dans ces conditions, je vous prie de bien vouloir enregistrer mes nouvelles coordonnées ci-dessous:
Full Name
Full address
Country
Je vous saurais gré de prendre en compte ces nouvelles informations pour ma prochaine déclaration de revenus.
Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées.
(signature)
Do not leave France with debts or unpaid bills.
- Close your bank account: it is not always possible to do so before departure because your rental deposit will be paid into account after departure and so will your final salary. In addition, health insurance reimbursements may also take place after you have left France and possibly tax payments. Arrange with your bank to schedule a remote closure of your account after your departure.
- If your children have attended school in France, remember to ask their school for certificates of registration and school reports.
- Notify your complementary health insurance ("mutuelle").
- If you are leaving France for a temporary stay in the European Economic Area, ask for your EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card).
- If you or a member of your family have been undergoing medical treatment, be sure to request a medical report from your French medical professional in order to continue the treatment.
Cancellation letter for health insurance
Your full name
Your address
Your email address
(Address of health insurance company)
GROUPAMA agence de Rennes (exemple)
156 rue de Rennes
35000 Rennes
………….. (place of residence) le .../.../202... (date)
OBJET : résiliation de mon contrat d’assurance santé n°…………………….
Mes références :
-N° Client / identifiant : ……………… (information available on insurance policy document)
-N° Souscripteur : ………………
-N° Contrat : ………………….
Madame, Monsieur,
Conformément aux dispositions de l’article L113-16 du Code des Assurances, je souhaite résilier, dans un délai d’un mois à compter de la présente notification, le contrat d’assurance santé n° ………………. (provide health insurance policy number) pour le motif suivant : déménagement à l’étranger le .../.../202...(provide moving date)
Veuillez trouver ci-joint les éléments justificatifs de ce changement de situation*.
Je vous prie d’agréer Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes sentiments distinguées.
(signature)
*(enclose supporting documents)
- Notify your employer of your departure and ask for your end-of-contract paperwork.
- If you are registered with Pôle emploi, notify Pôle emploi.
- Ask for any work, internship or studies certificates and recommendation letters.
Documents to keep :
The list below is not exhaustive and is provided for informational purposes. For the French government’s official document regarding which documents to keep and for how long, click here.
Original and scanned copies should be kept for most documents.
Documents to keep permanently :
- Residence permit(s) (copies)
- Naturalisation paperwork if applicable: certificate of French nationality and naturalisation decree (ampliation)
- Birth certificates(s)
- Marriage certificate
- Judgment of divorce certificate
- Diplomas and qualifications as well as grades records
- School certificates of attendance
- Employment contract(s)
- Payslips
- All pension-related documents
- Medical records (vaccination documents, x-rays, medical test results)
- Scanned copies of bank records
Documents to keep for 5 years:
- Rental agreement(s)
- Rent receipts
- End of tenancy inspection report (état des lieux)
- Utility bills (electricity, gas and water)
- Workplace accident report(s)
Other documents to keep:
- Income tax returns - 3 years
- Insurance contracts, renewal notices and termination of contract letter(s) - 2 years
- Receipt issued by internet provider confirming return of modem router (box internet) – 2 years
Do not hesitate to ask your EURAXESS Centre for advice or a personal meeting with someone who can help before you leave.