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Practical guides

Step-by-step guides on the most common procedures in France.

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Residence permit

How to get or renew a French residence permit: card types, ANEF online application, documents, deadlines and common mistakes. Free help in Russian.

CAF benefits

How to open a CAF file: APL housing aid, RSA, prime d'activité, family allowances. Documents, timelines, quarterly returns, mistakes. Help in Russian.

Health insurance

How to join French health insurance: PUMa, carte Vitale, GP registration, free Complémentaire santé solidaire. Documents and timelines. Help in Russian.

France Travail & jobs

How to register with France Travail, claim unemployment benefit (ARE), get French classes and training. Documents, obligations, mistakes. Help in Russian.

Prefecture

How to book a prefecture appointment, what is done online (ANEF, ANTS), what to bring, no available slots and appeals. Help in Russian.

Driving licence exchange

How to exchange a Russian, Ukrainian or other foreign driving licence for a French one on ANTS: deadlines, documents, translation.

French citizenship

How to get French nationality: residence, language level, interview, ANEF application and timelines. Help in Russian.

Taxes and tax return

Filing your first French tax return, getting a tax number, declaring foreign accounts and why the avis d'imposition matters.

Bank account

How to open a French bank account, documents needed, online banks, refusals and the right to an account via Banque de France.

OFII and French classes

What OFII and the CIR are: free French courses, civic training, medical check and the link with the multi-year residence permit.

Visale guarantee

Check Visale eligibility, prepare supporting documents and arrange the tenant visa and landlord guarantee before signing a lease.

School enrollment

Prepare school enrollment in France: town hall registration, supporting documents, secondary school placement and French language support.

Diploma recognition

When to request an ENIC-NARIC comparability statement, what documents to prepare and how it differs from professional authorization.

Translation and apostille

Prepare foreign documents for France: certified translation, apostille, legalization and the receiving authority’s requirements.

Change of address

Notify a move in France: shared online service, CAF, CPAM, tax records, residence documents and separate notifications to check.

Renew residence permit

Renewing a titre de séjour on ANEF: when to apply, documents, extension certificate and collecting the card.

ANEF account

Sign up on ANEF, log in with FranceConnect, find your foreigner number and track your application status.

Register with CAF

Step by step: register with CAF online, get an allocataire number and file a first claim for housing or family benefits.

APL simulator

Run the APL simulation on caf.fr: data to enter, what drives the amount and when to file your housing benefit claim.

RSA refusal

Common reasons RSA is refused to foreigners, the prior administrative appeal to the department and alternative support.

Sworn translation price

What a sworn translation costs in France, how to find a court-listed translator, apostille order and tips to save money.

CPAM without ameli

Reach CPAM without an ameli account: 36 46 phone line, post, office appointments or France Services, sending documents.

OQTF: what to do

Understanding an OQTF removal order, appeal deadlines, urgent legal help and residence permit options afterwards.

First month in France

What to do in your first weeks in France: VLS-TS visa validation, bank account, social security number, tax number and the right order of steps.

Deposit refund

Deadlines to get your rental deposit back in France, allowed deductions, move-out inspection, letter to the landlord and where to complain.