Roadmap for expats in France

Understand your EU citizen path

Start here. EU citizens usually do not follow the standard non-EU visa/titre de séjour path, but still need the right admin setup.

Get proof of address sorted

Required for bank accounts, CPAM, taxes, CAF, and most local services.

Open a French bank account

You need a RIB for CPAM reimbursements, CAF, taxes, salary, and self-employment payments.

Open CPAM rights as an EU citizen

The route differs if you are employed, self-employed, student, inactive, or retired. Get the right file before asking for Carte Vitale.

Apply for Carte Vitale

Apply after your health insurance rights/social security number are opened.

Declare a médecin traitant

Improves reimbursement and gives you a stable entry point into the healthcare system.

Get your numéro fiscal

Needed for impots.gouv.fr, first tax declaration, and often housing or business paperwork.

Check CAF housing aid

If eligible, apply once you have housing and the documents CAF requests.

Prepare your first tax declaration

Living in France can create tax filing obligations even when income comes from abroad or self-employment.

Fix a blocked CPAM file

Use this if CPAM says documents are missing, applies the wrong status, or your file stalls.