End-of-stay formalities

Before you leave France, remember to carry out the required formalities. You will need to cancel your lease and various subscriptions (electricity, internet, telephone, etc.) to avoid unnecessary fees. You should also notify your bank and any relevant institutions. Planning these steps in advance will ensure that the end of your stay goes smoothly and will help avoid complications after you leave.

Before requesting to close your bank account, you must ensure that there are no outstanding transactions (bills, cheques, wages, direct debits, etc.). 

To close your bank account, send a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to your bank.

Upon your arrival, you probably took out subscriptions for services (electricity, water, gas, internet, telephone), so don't forget to cancel them. Check the cancellation terms and conditions: you might only need to complete a form online, or you may have to write a letter.

You must also cancel your health insurance contract (please note that the notice period may vary from 1 to 3 months).

Your stay is coming to an end, and you have given notice to your landlord or estate agent. You must also notify the various authorities:

• Notify your country's consulate in France of your departure if you have registered with the consular services.
• Inform your Caisse primaire d'assurance maladie (CPAM) of your departure, either by post or via your Ameli online account.
  Specify the actual date of your departure and, if possible, your new address abroad.
  Attach a copy of a document as proof of this change of status (plane ticket, end-of-study certificate, etc.).
• If you have children, inform the school where they are registered that they are leaving and ask for a deregistration certificate and the school file for each child. 
• Organise for your mail to be redirected to your new address. You can do this via the La Poste website, which offers a permanent international mail forwarding service, under the tab "Changement d’adresse – Déménagement – Réexpédition" (Change of address - Moving house - Forwarding mail). 
• Remember to return any books borrowed from the library. 
• In terms of the tax authorities: whatever your status (student, doctoral student, researcher, etc.), you must complete certain procedures for the French tax authorities.
   
  1. Before you go abroad: change your address in your personal space either on the tax website or by notifying your local tax office. Specify your new address abroad and the actual date of your departure.
      
  2. The year following your departure abroad, you must declare your income:
     • All your income (from French and international sources) from 1 January to the date of your departure (standard form no. 2042).
     • Your French-source income taxable in France received after your departure until 31 December of the year of departure (form no. 2042-NR).
     • If you received income from abroad during your stay, this must be declared on form no. 2047 and reported on form no. 2042.
     • Doctoral students and teaching and research staff: check whether there is a double taxation agreement between France and your country of origin, as this may affect your tax return.
     • Online declaration: this is compulsory if you had Internet access during your stay in France.