Topic O
Moving abroad: the general checklist
The precise steps (visa, local social security, forms) vary by country — see your destination’s country page. This page brings together the general sequence, common to most relocations, so you don’t miss anything before looking at what’s specific to your country.
Before you leave
- Check the health insurance and visa requirements specific to your destination country — see the country page.
- Notify the French agencies of your departure: CPAM, CAF, France Travail, pension funds (a step systematically mentioned by France Diplomatie).
- Decide on your CFE status: joining before departure or within 3 months of moving abroad avoids a waiting period — see the CFE guide.
- For a seconded employee: request the A1 certificate (or local equivalent) before departure, a condition for staying covered by the French scheme.
- For a retiree moving to the EU/EEA or Switzerland: request the S1 form before or shortly after moving.
- Take out health and repatriation insurance covering the transition period before full local affiliation.
On arrival
- Complete the required local registration steps (proof of address, municipal registration, residence permit depending on the country).
- Join the local health scheme if your status requires or allows it — the exact conditions vary by country.
- Register with the roster of French nationals living outside France at the relevant consulate: a free step, not mandatory but recommended in almost every country, valid for 5 years.
Points not to discover too late
- A waiting period may apply before a benefit (maternity in particular) takes effect — plan for it beforehand, not during.
- Returning to France also needs to be prepared before departure: getting French Social Security rights back is not automatic.
- Each family member (spouse, children) often has their own separate steps to complete, not just the main policyholder.
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See the exact sequence for your destination: All country pages
Written by Expavy