Who’s Who in French Administration: A Friendly Guide for Expats
Moving to France is such an exciting adventure — new surroundings, a new lifestyle, and of course… new paperwork! One of the trickiest parts for many newcomers is figuring out which office does what. French administration can feel like a maze, but once you know where to go, things get much easier.
To help you settle in, here’s a friendly guide to the main offices you’re likely to deal with — both for everyday life and for running a business. Keep this handy, and you’ll already be a step ahead.
🏠 Everyday Life & Personal Admin Offices
CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie)
Your local health insurance office. Handles:
Getting registered in the French healthcare system.
Sending out your Carte Vitale.
Reimbursing your medical costs.
CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales)
If you’re eligible for support, CAF manages benefits like:
Child allowance.
Housing support (APL).
Other family and social benefits.
OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration)
If you arrive with a long-stay visa, OFII steps in to help with:
Validating your visa.
Mandatory medical visits (sometimes including a chest X-ray).
Offering integration support for newcomers.
ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés)
This office deals with your official documents:
Car registration (Carte Grise).
Driving licences.
Passports and national ID cards.
Préfecture & Sous-Préfecture
Your local prefecture handles:
Residency permits (Cartes de Séjour).
Some driving licence exchanges.
Certain administrative authorisations.
Mairie (Town Hall)
Your mairie is the heart of your local community. It can provide:
Proof of residence certificates.
Civil status documents (birth, marriage, death certificates).
Local registrations and everyday support.
🏢 Business & Professional Offices
INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle)
Since 2023, INPI is the one-stop shop for business registration:
Auto-entrepreneurs (micro-entrepreneurs).
Companies (SARL, SAS, etc.).
Intellectual property (trademarks, patents).
Online platform: formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr
URSSAF
The office you’ll deal with once self-employed:
Paying social contributions.
Declaring your income.
Access to healthcare and pension rights.
Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce
The commercial court registry:
Registers new companies.
Updates company details (directors, addresses, statutes).
Publishes info in the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (RCS).
INSEE
France’s national statistics office:
Issues your SIRET / SIREN business numbers.
Assigns your APE/NAF code (your official business activity).
Chambres Consulaires
These local chambers offer advice and support:
CCI (Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie): shops, services, commerce.
CMA (Chambre des Métiers et de l’Artisanat): artisans and trades.
CA (Chambre d’Agriculture): farmers and agricultural businesses.
DGFIP (Impôts / Tax Office)
Handles all things tax:
VAT.
Income tax for auto-entrepreneurs.
Corporation tax for companies.
✨ Handy Tips
Always keep copies of what you send to French offices.
Use registered post with tracking (Lettre Recommandée avec Accusé de Réception).
Don’t worry if one office points you to another — it’s normal!
Need a Helping Hand?
Moving to France is exciting, but getting to grips with the admin side can feel overwhelming. The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s healthcare registration, visa validation, or starting your own business, France Unlocked is here to guide you step by step — with patience, clarity, and a smile.
👉 Reach out today and let’s make your transition to life in France smoother and stress-free.
