I live abroad
Verified 15 March 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You're from French nationality and you live abroadr? We present your rights, your obligations, the steps what you need to accomplish and your interlocutors about your daily life topics.
The steps to follow are presented in the "What to do if you are a victim of a traffic accident?" and "What to do if you are a victim of a collective accident?" in the guide for French victims abroad published by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs:
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You live in a European Union country
The website e-justice.europa.eu provides information to be aware of before taking legal action:
This site also allows you to find a legal professional (lawyer, notary, expert, mediator, translator/legal interpreter, ...):
You live in another country
The consulate can provide you with initial information and guidance.
Who shall I contact
The steps to follow are presented in the “What to do if you are a victim of aggression?” fact sheet in the guide for French victims abroad published by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs:
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In a European Union country
The website of the Higher Council of Notaries presents the main information to know:
FYI
If you want to build a house in the country where you live, you must first inquire about the conditions to have the right to build (some countries restrict the right to build for foreigners), then about local real estate regulations. Your consulate can direct you to contacts who can inform you.
In another country
Contact your consulate for first information on the formalities and obligations for acquiring real estate in the country where you live.
Who shall I contact
FYI
If you want to build a house in the country where you live, you must first inquire about the conditions to have the right to build (some countries restrict the right to build for foreigners), then about local real estate regulations. Your consulate can direct you to contacts who can inform you.
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The child or children attend a French educational institution
In French educational institutions abroad, families have to pay school fees for their children.
A scholarship may be obtained on a means-tested basis if the child is of French nationality and provided that the parent or parents are registered in the register of French nationals established outside France.
The consular post on which the family depends according to its place of residence is the family's interlocutor for scholarships.
The website of the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) presents the following information:
Scholarships for French children studying abroad
Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE)
Pour en savoir plus
Other situation
In general, you are not eligible for a grant from the consulate. But there are a few exceptions. Inquire at the consulate.
Who shall I contact
Identity card
For a major
Identity card soon expired or already expired
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Stolen ID Card
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Lost Identity Case
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
For a minor
Identity card soon expired or already expired
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Stolen ID Card
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Lost Identity Case
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Passport
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For a major
Passport soon expired or already expired
You live in Canada or Portugal
You can apply to renew your passport without moving at the embassy or consulate if you meet all of the following conditions :
- You still have your passport (it has not been lost or stolen)
- You were at least 18 years old on the date of issuance of your current passport
- Your passport is still valid or has expired for less than 5 years
- You are not applying for a passport renewal to change your birth name or first name or gender
- You do not apply for a 2nd passport (for business reasons or incompatible destinations)
- You are registered to Register of French outside France and have your consular registration number (Numic) and your registered email address
- You have a La Poste digital identity
If you meet all of these conditions, the process takes place in multiple steps. If you do not meet all of these conditions, the gait is different.
You live in another country
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Stolen passport
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Passport lost
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
For a minor
Passport soon expired or already expired
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Stolen passport
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Passport lost
The process is carried out in multiple steps.
If you want change family name to take a name from your parent-child (your father's name or your mother's name or their 2 names in the order chosen and up to one name for each parent), you can use the simplified and free procedure name change. The process is carried out in multiple steps.
Warning
If you want to change your last name to a legitimate reason (for example, name difficult to wear), you can use the order-in-council name change procedure.
If you have a legitimate interest, you can ask to change your first name (or ask to add a first name or delete a first name or change the order of your first names). The process is carried out in multiple steps.
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You live in a European Union country
Your Europe presents the rules for each country:
You live in another country
Some embassy and consulate websites have the main information you need to know. If not, please contact your consulate for more information.
Who shall I contact
Approaches to building a company abroad vary from country to country. First, you need to know about the regulations in the country where you live, as well as its economic, fiscal and social environment.
The Foreign Economic Services of the Treasury Directorate General provide information on the economy, trade and finances of the countries in which they are located:
Find an economic service abroad
The Team France Export platform also provides market information by country:
Who shall I contact
It is strongly recommended to be registered on the register of French abroad to be reachable in case of crisis.
In the event of a crisis or war, French nationals registered on the register receive advice and information from diplomatic and consular posts.
Please note
Remember to renew your registration every 5 years or change your file if you change your address.
Accompaniment by the embassy or consulate
The website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs presents how diplomatic missions and consular posts can help abroad.
Pension for survivors
The survivor's pension corresponds to a part of the pension which the deceased insured person (employee or official) received or could have received. It is paid, if certain conditions are met, to the surviving or former spouse (and to orphans, if the deceased was an official).
It is possible to receive a survivor's pension when living abroad, but only if there is an agreement with France.
To find out if there is an agreement, you must contact the Cleiss.
Who shall I contact
Center for European and International Social Security Liaison (Cleiss)
General information on social security abroad and assistance in the application of individuals
By telephone
+33 (0) 1 45 26 33 41
Hotline:
- Monday from 9 am to 12:30 pm
- Tuesday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm
- Wednesday from 9 am to 12:30 pm
- Thursday from 1:30pm to 4:30pm
- Friday from 1:30pm to 4:30pm
By E-mail
Access to contact form
Website
Access to site
If agreed:
- Regarding the survivor’s pension for the main pension: the pension body of the country of residence should be contacted. The organization will liaise with the French pension fund.
- Concerning the survivor's pension for supplementary retirement: if the user is in a country outside the EEA-Switzerland, contact the Agirc-Arco directly.
Warning
If you apply to receive the survivor's pension on a foreigner account, it is possible only on an account of a country of the European Union and certain third countries.
Death Capital
The rights-holders are entitled, subject to conditions, to a benefit called death capital. A person residing abroad may receive the death capital. Rights holders must apply to the social security body on which the deceased was dependent at the time of death within a time limit to be observed:
Succession
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You live in a European Union country
Succession rules vary from one member country to another (designation of heirs, determination of shares and hereditary reserves, administration of the estate, liability of the heirs for the debts of the deceased, etc.).
Successions-europe.eu presents the inheritance law of each country European:
To know the law of succession in a country of the European Union
Notaries of Europe
Pour en savoir plus
The website e-justice.europa.eu allows you to find a notary in each EU country:
The website of the Association of the European Network of Registers of Wills explains how register and/or to search for a will in each EU country:
Entering or searching for a will in an EU country
Association of the European Network of Registers of Wills (ARERT)
Pour en savoir plus
You live in another country
Succession rules vary from country to country (designation of heirs, determination of shares and hereditary reserves, administration of the estate, liability of the heirs for the debts of the deceased, etc.).
Contact your consulate to be referred to people who can provide you with initial information.
Who shall I contact
You must respect local law. What is allowed in France can be considered an offense in some countries. The penalties can be severe, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty.
If you commit an offense in the country, the embassy or consulate can direct you to promptly appoint a lawyer of your choice (or appoint one if local law provides for this). But you'll have to pay the lawyer yourself.
Who shall I contact
Please note
Depending on the laws of the country concerned, you can sometimes receive help to pay the legal fees if you have few resources. You must contact the local judicial authorities.
Updating your file in the register of French outside France
If you are registered as a French resident outside France, you must update your file in case of a move.
It is recommended that you update your registration on the internet.
If you are unable to apply online, you can go to the embassy or consulate. This option is particularly aimed at people who have difficulty in carrying out the procedure: disabled persons, elderly persons.
On the Internet
You must use the following online service:
Register of French outside France - Update
You must scan the proof of residence in the new consular district.
If you have changed your situation, you must also scan the supporting documents (arrival of a child, change of usage name, move...).
Once the consulate has validated the change of your registration, the following documents are available on the My Documents of your personal area Service-Public.fr:
- Certificate of registration and residence
- Consular Registration Card
These documents can be printed whenever you need them.
On the spot
Who shall I contact
Warning
some consulates request an appointment online before you went to the French administration department.
If you have changed your situation, you must provide proof of your new situation (arrival of a child, change of name, move...).
FYI
If you are attached to a new consulate, your file will be forwarded to the competent consulate to process your request.
Update your information on impots.gouv.fr
Remember to change the information in your impots.gouv.fr account.
The consulate may have a social assistance budget to support a French national in financial difficulties. Consulates should be contacted to inquire about conditions and procedures.
Who shall I contact
If you want to have your French diploma recognized for studying or working abroad, criteria for recognition are different depending on the host country
The website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs presents the steps to follow:
Disturbing Disappearance of Family Member Abroad
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Pour en savoir plus
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Your marriage was celebrated in France or in a European Union country
The website of the Notaries of France offers a guide with a file entitled “Divorce and residence abroad”:
The site e-justice.europa.eu provides information and rules on divorce and legal separation in most EU countries:
Your wedding was celebrated in another country
You can contact the Consulate for initial information on the regulations in force in the country and for guidance.
Who shall I contact
The election of French representatives to the European Parliament (European elections) will take place:
- June 8, 2024 at consular posts in the Americas and Caribbean
- June 9, 2024 at consular posts around the world
You can choose to vote:
- Or in France, provided that they are registered on the electoral list of a municipality. Remember to use a power of attorney if you can't travel on voting day.
- Either from the foreigner
If you vote from the foreigner, the situation is different depending on whether you live in a European Union (EU) country or another:
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EU countries
European citizens who live in another EU Member State than their own may vote to elect representatives of their host country by being registered on local electoral lists, or complementary.
Such registration on a local electoral list in another EU country takes precedence over registration on a French electoral list. For example, a French citizen who is registered to vote in his country of residence in the EU will not be able to vote in the European elections in his consulate or commune even though he is registered to vote in France.
If you live in an EU country, check your electoral situation with the authorities of that country and find out from them about the voting arrangements in place to elect representatives from that country.
If, on the other hand, you wish to vote for the French representatives while you are registered on a local list in your host country, the local authorities will be able to inform you about how to remove you from that local list. Cancelation will allow you to vote for French representatives on the French electoral lists where you are already registered.
The website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs presents the following information:
European elections 2024: instructions for use for French citizens living abroad
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Pour en savoir plus
Non-EU countries
You have the option to register or update your registration on the consular voters list to vote at the polling station nearest you on election day.
To check your electoral situation in France, an online service is available:
Verify your voter registration and polling station
While living abroad, you can also remain registered or apply for registration on the electoral list of a commune in France.
The deadline for voter registration for these European elections, whether in consulates or town halls, is Friday 3 May 2024.
Whether you are registered on a consular electoral list or on a list of local electors in France, you will have the choice between the same lists of candidates, the election being organized on a single national constituency.
But if you are in a special situation (18-year-old without a citizen census, recent move, recent acquisition of French nationality, recently regained voting rights), you have until May 29, 2024 in the Americas and the Caribbean, and until May 30, 2024 in the rest of the world to sign up.
The website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs presents the following information:
European elections 2024: instructions for use for French citizens living abroad
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Pour en savoir plus
The website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs provides an information pack with daily life information for each country (sometimes including information on local childcare solutions):
You can also contact your consulate for initial information.
Who shall I contact
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You live in a European Union country
Contact the consulate to get first-hand information about the arrangements in the country where you live and/or to be referred to local disability organizations.
Who shall I contact
You live in another country
The consulate may pay one or more financial aid (‘CCPASS’ aid). Contact your consulate.
Who shall I contact
Attention: to obtain financial assistance from the consulate, you must first contact a departmental house for disabled people (MDPH) in France.
Your obligations and procedures depend on your tax residence. It's the tax services that determine it based on your situation.
Warning
Remember to change the information on your impots.gouv.fr account in case of change of address, marriage or Civil partnership, divorce or separation, death of a family member settled abroad with you.
The website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs presents the following information:
The embassy or consulate can provide you with advice on how to promptly appoint a lawyer of your choice for your defense (or appoint one ex officio if local law provides for this). But you'll have to pay the lawyer yourself.
Who shall I contact
Please note
Depending on the laws of the country concerned, you can sometimes receive help to pay the legal fees if you have few resources. You must contact the local judicial authorities.
16-year-old citizen census
If the young person is registered on the register of French nationals living outside France, his census is automatic. There is no process to be done.
If the young person is not registered, the young person or one of his or her parents must go to the consulate with the minor's valid identity card or passport and the up-to-date family booklet.
After the citizen census:
- The young person gets a census certificate. You have to present this certificate to be able to register before the age of 18 years for an exam (BEP, Bac...) or an administrative competition in France.
- He is automatically registered on the French electoral rolls from the age of 18. He can vote from the age of 18.
Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC)
After completing the citizen census, the young person must participate in the JDC before the age of 25. The organization of the JDC varies according to the country's situation.
If you want to get married abroad, the steps to be taken vary depending on whether you are married to a French national or a foreign national.
Warning
It's best to do it several months in advance, because it takes time to get some documents. In addition, after marriage, you will in some cases have to take steps to have your marriage recognized in France.
In many countries, local law requires foreigner nationals to register a birth with the local registrar. Contact your consulate first to find out the local rules and documents to be presented.
Who shall I contact
Then, the approach varies depending on the situation:
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Local law requires foreigner nationals to register a birth with the local registrar
After the declaration of birth to the local registrar, you must request the transcription of the local birth certificate by the registrar of the embassy or consulate.
You live in Algeria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Morocco, Monaco, Poland, Switzerland or Tunisia
The list of documents to be provided and the transcription request form can be downloaded from the website of the competent French Consulate General in the country concerned.
You must send your folder only by post at the Central Civil Registry Office:
Who shall I contact
Central Civil Registry Service (Scec)
Civil status (birth, marriage or death) of a Frenchman abroad
Only by mail to:
Central Civil Registry Service
11 White House Street
44941 Nantes Cedex 09
The service is not open to the public.
You can apply for a civil status certificate through a online service.
For more information, you can:
- Go to diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Call the+33 1 41 86 42 47 Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 4 pm
Free access to video interpretation or instant speech transcription for the deaf or hard of hearing - Email courrier.scec@diplomatie.gouv.fr
You live in another country
Contact the Embassy or Consulate for a list of documents to be submitted.
Local law does not require foreigner nationals to register a birth with the local registrar
In countries where local law does not preclude this, the birth declaration may be received by the territorially competent consular registrar as well as by the civil registration authorities of the country of residence.
In this case, the embassy or consulate shall draw up the birth certificate and keep it in its records.
The declaration must be made within 15 days of childbirth.
The time limit shall be extended to 30 days in the following cases:
- In Europe for Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
- In any country outside Europe
If you wish to apply for the nationality of the country where you live, you can consult the website of the embassy or consulate (or contact the consulate) to obtain the necessary information.
Who shall I contact
The website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs presents the following information:
Conclusion of a Civil partnership
The steps to be taken vary depending on your situation (for example, if you are dealing with a French national or a foreign national or if you were born abroad or if you are divorced).
Modifying the Civil partnerships
If you want to change the way you organize your life together with your partner, you need to change your Civil partnership by drafting an amending agreement. The steps to be taken depend on where the original Civil partnership is registered.
End of Civil partnership
The steps to be taken vary according to your situation (separation or marriage).
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You have a French license
Your license has been stolen
In case of theft of your French driving license while you are abroad, the step to be taken varies depending on whether your normal residence is in France or abroad.
You lost your license
In case of loss of your French driving license while you are abroad, step to be taken varies depending on whether your normal residence is in France or abroad.
Your license is very badly damaged
The step to be taken varies depending on whether your normal residence is in France or abroad.
You have a license issued by a country other than France (or you have exchanged your French license for a foreigners license)
You will need to inquire at the consulate.
Who shall I contact
You want to get a driving license abroad, whereas you didn't get one in France
You live in a European Union country
Your Europe provides information on:
You live in another country
You will need to inquire at the consulate.
Who shall I contact
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You live in a European Union country
Your Europe provides information on:
You live in another country
You can contact the consulate who can direct you to the local information structures.
Who shall I contact
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You live in a European Union country
The Vulnerable People in Europe website presents the regulations on protection measures in each of the EU countries:
You live in another country
The consulate can provide you with some initial information.
Who shall I contact
Multiple organizations can help you find a job.
Consular registration is addressed to any Frenchman who will settle more than 6 months abroad.
It aims to facilitate the following administrative procedures:
- Obtaining identity documents (passport, national identity card)
- Registration to vote in French elections (presidential, referendum, European, legislative, consular)
- Obtaining a scholarship for a child attending a French school in Europe or outside Europe
- Obtaining a university scholarship from Crous: titleContent in France
- Census defense and citizenship day
- Reduced fees for legalizations and certified copies
This registration also allows consular services to contact you and your loved ones in case of emergency.
It also provides information about elections, your security and special events.
We present the steps to register on the register.
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You work in the country where you live
You want to know how your years abroad will be taken into account for your French retirement
The Info Retraite website provides personalized information on how to take your years abroad into account in your French retirement:
You will soon be claiming your retirement rights
French pension funds are only competent for rights acquired in France. You must first contact the pension organization in your country of residence. This organization will then contact the French pension funds.
Warning
A Frenchman settled for example in Spain and having worked in both France and Spain may apply for his French pension rights from a certain ageHowever, in order to assert his Spanish pension rights, he will have to wait until he has reached the age permitted in Spain before he can retire.
You're retired
The Info Retreat website presents the information to know and the steps to follow:
The website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs presents the following information:
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You're a student
You live in a country of the European Economic Area or in Switzerland
The website ameli.fr presents what happens if you need medical attention or if you happen to have an accident:
Studies in an EEA country or Switzerland: social protection
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Pour en savoir plus
You live in another country
Your social protection varies depending on your host country. The website ameli.fr gives you the following information:
Studies in a country outside the EEA or Switzerland: social protection
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Pour en savoir plus
You're on secondment
You live in a country of the European Economic Area or in Switzerland
Accident at work The website ameli.fr presents information on the reimbursement of medical expenses made in the country of posting or in France, the protection for the family accompanying you abroad and on the steps in case of a work stoppage or a journey in the country of posting:
Posting to an EEA country or Switzerland: social protection
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Pour en savoir plus
You live in another country
The website amelI.fr has the following information:
Posting to a country outside the EEA or Switzerland: social protection
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Pour en savoir plus
You are an expatriate employee
The amelI.fr website presents information about your social protection and that of your family members:
You're retired
You live in a country of the European Economic Area or in Switzerland
The website amelI.fr has the following information:
Retirement in an EEA country or Switzerland: social protection
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Pour en savoir plus
You live in another country
The website amelI.fr has the following information:
Retirement outside the EEA or Switzerland: social protection
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Pour en savoir plus
You receive a disability pension and permanently reside abroad
The website amelI.fr has the following information:
Social protection of the holder of an invalidity pension living abroad
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Pour en savoir plus
The situation is different if you live in a European Economic Area (EEA) countries or in a other country.
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You live in a European Union country
Succession rules vary from one member country to another (designation of heirs, determination of shares and hereditary reserves, administration of the estate, liability of the heirs for the debts of the deceased, etc.).
Successions-europe.eu presents the inheritance law of each country European:
To know the law of succession in a country of the European Union
Notaries of Europe
Pour en savoir plus
The website e-justice.europa.eu allows you to find a notary in each EU country:
The website of the Association of the European Network of Registers of Wills explains how register and/or to search for a will in each EU country:
Entering or searching for a will in an EU country
Association of the European Network of Registers of Wills (ARERT)
Pour en savoir plus
You live in another country
Succession rules vary from country to country (designation of heirs, determination of shares and hereditary reserves, administration of the estate, liability of the heirs for the debts of the deceased, etc.).
Contact your consulate to be referred to people who can provide you with initial information.
Who shall I contact
In some countries, you can formalize your relationship without getting married by establishing a civil union or registered partnership.
The union or partnership allows 2 persons living in a couple to register their relationship with the competent authorities of their country of residence.
There are differences between countries in this area, in particular as regards the conditions for entering into civil union, the rights conferred by civil union and its recognition in other countries.
You will need to check with your consulate.
Who shall I contact
Your consulate can provide you with initial information on your obligations regarding the declaration of purchase or sale, as well as on the rules regarding the registration of vehicles in the country.
Who shall I contact
The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs provides a directory of facilities for victims of violence abroad:
Finding facilities for victims of violence abroad
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Pour en savoir plus
Search tools
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Dila) - Prime Minister
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE)
Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE)
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
European Commission
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Notaries of France
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
European Commission
Notaries of Europe
European Commission
Association of the European Network of Registers of Wills (ARERT)
European Commission
European Commission
European Commission
European Commission
Public interest grouping "Union retirement"
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Central Fund of Agricultural Social Mutual Society (MSA)
Ministry of Disability
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs