In brief

• Obligation to declare your change of address within 3 months following the move for foreigners holding a residence permit valid for more than 1 year.
• The process is carried out exclusively online on the ANEF platform (Digital Administration for Foreigners in France).
• The registration of the change of address is free and results in the issuance of a certificate.
• The issuance of a new residence permit is not mandatory following a simple change of address.
• The cost of a new residence permit is set at €25 in tax stamps, except for nationals of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and their families.
• Starting from May 1, 2026, the amount of the tax stamp for a residence permit will increase according to the finance law for 2026.

Who can proceed

This procedure specifically concerns foreigners residing in France who hold a residence permit valid for more than 1 year. This obligation applies regardless of the nature of the move: whether you are changing your residence within the same municipality or leaving your current municipality for another, the declaration is required.

Nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or the Swiss Confederation, as well as family members of these nationals, benefit from specific exemptions regarding card fees but remain subject to the declarative obligations related to their administrative situation.

Steps

The change of address procedure must be completed entirely online. It is no longer possible to make this declaration via physical prefectures or by postal mail for most concerned titles.

1. Access the ANEF platform: Go to the online service titled "Make an application online for a residence permit, a change of situation, a travel document, a naturalization request - ANEF". This portal is managed by the Ministry of the Interior.

2. Create or access your account: You must have a personal space on ANEF. If you do not have one, create an account using your foreign number (AGDREF) found on your current residence permit.

3. Select the procedure: In your space, choose the option corresponding to a "change of situation" or "change of address". The system will guide you through the various steps of the online form.

4. Fill out the form: Enter your complete new address. Ensure that the information matches exactly with the proof of residence you will provide.

5. Upload documents: Scan or take a clear photo of the required documents (see Documents section below) and upload them in the requested digital formats.

6. Validate and pay (if applicable): If you are requesting the issuance of a new card, proceed to pay the fees. Otherwise, simply validate the declaration.

7. Keep the certificate: Once the process is completed, you will receive a certificate of submission or change of address. Keep this document safe, as it serves as proof of your official declaration to the authorities.

Documents

To make your request online, you must provide all of the following documents in digital format. It is imperative that these files are readable and meet the technical requirements of the platform.

• Residence permit: A scanned copy of your current residence permit.
• Passport: A copy of the pages containing your civil status, passport validity dates, and entry stamps into France.
• Proof of residence: A document dated less than 3 months from the date of the request. This document must prove your new primary residence.
• E-photo: The e-photo code provided by a photographer or an authorized booth. If you do not yet have this code, you can locate a digital photo and signature service near you. The physical photo sheet is not necessary if the code is provided, unless specifically requested during the card issuance if you apply for one.

If you decide to request a new residence permit (which is not mandatory), you will also need to provide proof of payment of the tax or stamp duty when the card is issued.

Cost

The registration of your change of address declaration is free. No fee is due for the simple update of your administrative information in the foreigners' file.

However, if you wish to obtain a new physical residence permit mentioning your new address, fees apply:

• Standard amount: €25 to be paid in tax stamps.
• Exemptions: No fee is charged if you are a national of the EU, EEA, or the Swiss Confederation, or if you are a family member of such a national.

Attention to the date of May 1, 2026: According to the finance law for 2026, the amount of the tax stamp for a residence permit will increase from this date. The information presented here remains valid until this deadline. It is recommended to check the exact amounts on service-public.fr before any procedures carried out after May 2026.

Deadlines

The law imposes a strict deadline for carrying out this procedure. You must declare your new residence within 3 months following your move. This deadline starts from the effective date of your installation at the new address.

Adhering to this 3-month deadline is crucial to avoid any risk of administrative sanction or complications in the future renewal of your titles. The ANEF platform generally allows for quick processing of the declaration, and the certificate is often available immediately or shortly after the file is validated.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Forgetting the 3-month deadline: Do not delay after your move. After this deadline, you are in violation of your declarative obligations.
• Confusing change of address and renewal: The issuance of a new card is not automatic or mandatory for a simple change of address. You can continue to use your old card as long as it is valid, along with the change of address certificate.
• Illegible documents: Reject blurry or incorrectly cropped photos. The passport must show all relevant pages (civil status, validity, stamps).
• Ignoring the e-photo: Even if you do not order a card immediately, having the e-photo code ready facilitates the procedure if you change your mind or if the prefecture requests it later for printing.
• Not keeping the certificate: The change of address certificate is your legal proof. Without it, in case of a check, you could be considered as not complying with your declaration obligations.

Official source

The information contained in this guide is extracted exclusively from the official sheet of the French public service. To consult the updated regulations and access the forms, please refer to the following source:

Service-public.fr sheet: What must a foreigner do in case of a change of address?