Updated October 2026. A proof of address (justificatif de domicile) is accepted everywhere when it is an energy or water bill under three months old in your own name, followed by a fixed-line internet bill, a rent receipt or your avis d'imposition. A mobile phone billis often refused by banks and the préfecture, and a bill in a partner's name fails. With no bill of your own, the three-piece hosting file(attestation d'hébergement, host's ID, host's bill) is accepted by banks, the CPAM and the préfecture alike.
Key takeaways
- An energy or water bill under three months old, in your own name, is the safest proof.
- A mobile phone bill is often refused by banks and the préfecture, and refused by France Titres.
- No bill in your name? Use an attestation d'hébergement plus your host's ID and a bill in their name.
- A bank statement is weak as sole proof; the avis d'imposition is the gold standard you will not have in year one.
- You need one for banking, telecom, the préfecture, CAF, and the permis de conduire.
What counts as proof of address in France?
A justificatif de domicile proves where you live. As of 2026, French administrations and businesses accept several documents, and most must be less than three months old when you present them:
- A utility bill (facture) for électricité, gaz, eau, or internet under three months old. A fixed-line or box bill is safer than a mobile bill, which banks and préfectures often refuse.
- A quittance de loyer (rent receipt) under three months old; receipts from a private landlord are sometimes challenged, so add the lease.
- An attestation d'assurance habitation (home insurance certificate) for your current dwelling.
- Your latest tax assessment (avis d'imposition) or property tax notice (taxe foncière).
A bank statement (relevé bancaire) is generally not accepted, because the address on it is self-declared. According to service-public.fr, the exact list depends on the body you are dealing with, so check their requirements before you go.
France has no municipal address-registration system: unlike some other European countries, there is no equivalent of a Meldezettel or Anmeldung, no register to sign at the mairie, and no fee, deadline, or penalty for not registering. The justificatif de domicile above is the operative concept instead, produced ad hoc by whichever body needs it (service-public.fr fiche F13985).
Quickest proof for newcomers
Which proofs of address do banks, the CPAM and préfectures accept in practice?
| Document | Banks | CPAM, CAF | Préfecture, ANEF | France Titres (licence) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy or water bill, under 3 months | Yes, preferred | Yes | Yes (up to 6 months on some lists) | Yes |
| Fixed internet or phone box bill | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile phone bill | Often refused | Sometimes | Often refused | Refused |
| Rent receipt (quittance), under 3 months | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Current lease (bail) | Sometimes, if recent | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Avis d'imposition (current year) | Yes, preferred | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Attestation d'hébergement + host's ID + host's bill | Yes, with all three | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Home insurance certificate | Sometimes | Yes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Bank statement | n/a | Sometimes | Rarely | Rarely |
An energy or water bill under three months old is the one proof that passes everywhere, after the avis d'imposition, which year-one newcomers do not have yet. The mobile phone bill is the classic trap: banks and préfectures often refuse it, and France Titres (formerly ANTS, renamed in February 2024) refuses it for licence procedures. A home insurance certificate is accepted by the CPAM and CAF but only sometimes elsewhere.
Two rules sink most files. The document must bear your own name: a joint bill in a partner's name fails. And it must be under three months old for most bodies; some préfecture lists accept six months, but for an ANEF renewal an older proof is often refused. If no bank will take what you have, an e-money account such as Nickel runs lighter identity checks and can bridge the gap.
What people in France report
- − No account without an address: Non-EU students report that no French bank would open an account before arrival: branches asked first for an attestation de logement and a titre de séjour they did not yet hold. (r/Expats_In_France, 2026)
- â—‹ File at 120 days, not 60: Expat guides that compile user reports converge on filing 90 to 120 days before expiry. Sworn translations of birth certificates alone take two to six weeks, and proof of address older than three months is often refused. (demarchesetrangers.fr, February 2026)
- − One missing document per letter: A Mexican resident looking back on eight years in Paris says a préfecture agent turned away a complete file and rebooked her months later. CPAM then sent three letters, each naming one missing document for the carte Vitale. (r/france, November 2021)
Paraphrased from public posts, each dated and linked. A small sample, not a representative survey.
What if you do not have a bill in your name?
If you live with family, a friend, or a host and have no contract in your own name, you use a proof-of-accommodation letter (attestation d'hébergement). This is the standard route for newcomers. You provide three things:
- A signed statement from your host declaring that you live at their address, usually dated and handwritten or printed.
- A copy of your host's ID(carte d'identité, passport, or titre de séjour).
- A recent justificatif de domicile in the host's name (a utility bill or tax notice).
Together these stand in for a bill in your own name. As described on service-public.fr, the attestation d'hébergement is accepted by banks, the CPAM, the CAF, the préfecture and France Titres, provided all three pieces are present. The host's bill must itself be under three months old. It is the standard route for someone staying with a friend while flat-hunting.
Make the proof match your situation
When do you need a justificatif de domicile?
Proof of address is one of the most frequently requested documents in France. As of 2026 you will typically need one to:
- Open a bank account, alongside your ID and proof of status.
- Sign a mobile or box (internet) contract with a telecom operator.
- Apply on ANEF or at the préfecture for a titre de séjour or its renewal, and declare a change of address within three months of moving.
- Register with CAF for housing aid (APL) or family benefits.
- Apply for or exchange a driving licence on France Titres (a non-EU exchange costs €40 since 12 May 2026).
- Enrol a child at school through the mairie.
Because most of these bodies want a document less than three months old, keep the latest energy bill or quittance de loyer to hand and download a fresh one before each appointment. When you move, the "Je change d'adresse" tool updates the CAF, CPAM and tax office at once. The official rules for each procedure are published on service-public.fr.
Sources: service-public.fr (fiche F13985: justificatif de domicile and attestation d'hébergement), France Titres and user reports, as of October 2026. Verify the exact document list with the bank, operator, or administration you are dealing with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents count as proof of address in France?
A justificatif de domicile is usually an energy or water bill less than three months old, a fixed-line internet bill, a quittance de loyer (rent receipt), a current lease, or your latest avis d'imposition or taxe d'habitation notice. The document must be in your own name. A mobile phone bill is often refused by banks and the préfecture, so prefer an energy or fixed-line bill.
Is a mobile phone bill accepted as proof of address in France?
Often not. Banks and préfectures often refuse a mobile phone bill, France Titres refuses it for licence procedures, and the CPAM and CAF accept it only sometimes. It is the classic newcomer trap: use an energy bill, a fixed-line internet bill, a rent receipt or the three-piece hosting file instead.
How recent does a justificatif de domicile have to be?
Most administrations want a document less than three months old, per service-public.fr. Some préfecture lists accept up to six months for certain documents, but for an ANEF renewal a proof older than three months is often refused. The current year's avis d'imposition is accepted even though it is issued annually.
What if you do not have a bill in your name?
If you live with someone, you use an attestation d'hébergement: a signed statement from your host confirming you live at their address, a copy of their ID, and a recent justificatif de domicile in their name. This three-piece file is accepted by banks, the CPAM, the CAF and the préfecture.
Is a bank statement a valid proof of address in France?
A bank statement (relevé bancaire) is weak as a sole proof of address. The CPAM and CAF accept it only sometimes, and préfectures and France Titres rarely do, because the address on it is self-declared. Use an energy bill, a quittance de loyer or a tax document instead.
When do you need a justificatif de domicile?
You need one to open a bank account, sign a mobile or box (internet) contract, apply on ANEF or at the préfecture for a titre de séjour, register with the CAF, exchange a driving licence on France Titres and enrol a child at school through the mairie. Most administrations ask for a document less than three months old.
Related Guides
Continue your move to France
Related guides from other parts of How to France that newcomers usually need next.