The Expatriation Checklist Before Departure: Don't Forget Anything

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Administrative procedures before departure

Administrative formalities are numerous but essential to leave without unpleasant surprises. Each administration must be notified of your departure.

• Inform La Poste of your change of address for mail tracking
• Terminate or transfer electricity, gas, internet and telephone contracts
• Inform your health insurance fund (CPAM) of your departure
• Notify your landlord and respect the lease cancellation notice
• Update your tax situation (form 2042 NR)
• Register in the register of French people living outside France (consulate)

These procedures should ideally be launched as early as D-60 before your departure for expatriation. Some, such as lease cancellation or mail transfer, require an incompressible legal deadline. complete checklist before expatriation: medical banking documents offers a structured summary of all these formalities, classified by priority.

Change of address at La Poste and public services

La Poste offers a paid service for forwarding mail to your new address abroad or to a relative in France, essential during the transition period. Also remember to update your address with your bank, CAF and any organization that sends you important letters: missed mail can have administrative or fiscal consequences.

Cancellation from the electoral and social security register

Expulsion from the electoral register is not mandatory if you plan to vote from abroad: you can register on the consular electoral lists. Regarding social security, report your departure to your CPAM to avoid paying unnecessary contributions. Outside the European Union, your Carte Vitale no longer covers anything.

Consular registration file

Consular registration is highly recommended for all expatriates. It allows the consulate to contact you in case of emergency and facilitates the renewal of your documents abroad. Go to Registre.diplomatie.gouv.fr to complete this process for free in a few minutes. It is an essential step in the expatriation checklist before departure that too many expatriates overlook.

Insurance and Health Coverage Abroad

Never leave without health coverage adapted to your new destination country. It is one of the pillars of a serene expatriation.

• Take out expatriate insurance covering medical expenses, hospitalization and repatriation
• Check if your destination country has a social security agreement with France
• Compile your complete medical records before departure (prescriptions, test results)
• Provide a stock of prescription drugs for 3 to 6 months
• Perform a complete health check with your general practitioner
• Update your vaccinations according to country recommendations

Expatriate insurance: CFE, Nils Expat and alternatives

The CFE (Caisse des Français de l'Étranger) is the reference organization for the social protection of expatriates. It provides international health coverage based on the general French regime, with a variable cost depending on age, country of residence and the level of guarantees chosen. Nils Expat is a digital alternative appreciated by young expatriates for its flexibility: the platform offers flexible contracts, accessible from a smartphone, often more adapted to students and young workers in international mobility. Other players such as Overseas, April International or AXA offer additional coverage. Compare warranties on our expatriate insurance comparison to find the formula best suited to your profile.

Local health coverage, vaccinations and medical check-up

In some countries such as Canada, Australia or Germany, local health insurance is mandatory to obtain a residence permit. The international mutual insurance company complements this basic coverage by taking care of excess fees, dental and optical care, and medical expenses not reimbursed by the local system. Before departure, also consult your general practitioner, dentist and optician: this care is often more difficult to obtain abroad. Some destinations require mandatory vaccinations (yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid) check the recommendations on Diplomatie.gouv.fr or with a doctor specialized in travel medicine. Compile your complete medical records with the results of recent exams, current prescriptions and the contact details of your doctors in France.

Banking and Financial Management

Your financial situation must be perfectly organized before leaving French territory. Poor banking management can block your daily life abroad.

• Open a bank account in your destination country before or just after arrival
• Inform your French bank of your departure to avoid card blocking
• Subscribe to a bank card without exchange fees (Wise, N26, Revolut)
• Verify your tax obligations as a French non-resident
• Prepare a departure budget including housing deposit, installation costs and contingencies
• Set up automatic transfers for your charges in France if necessary

Opening a bank account abroad

Opening an account in your destination country makes it easy to pay for housing, bills and daily expenses. Some banks offer account openings before arrival (Desjardins in Canada, N26 in Europe). Bring your passport, a local proof of residence and sometimes a letter from an employer or establishment. For students going to Canada, our guide to cost of living in Montreal will help you to size your budget as soon as you open an account.

Management of French accounts, taxation and retirement

Your tax residence changes as soon as you spend more than 183 days outside France. You will then have to declare your income in your country of destination and perhaps also in France according to bilateral tax treaties. The question of retirement is often overlooked: if you stop contributing to the French general regime, your quarters stagnate. The CFE allows you to continue to contribute voluntarily to maintain your rights, an important decision to take before leaving for expatriation.

Currencies, international transfers and payment cards

Standard Visa and Mastercard cards charge exchange fees of 1.5% to 3% on each foreign transaction, which can represent several hundred euros over a year. Opt for a multi-currency card like Wise or Revolut for interbank rate conversions, which are particularly useful for expatriates who juggle between several countries during international mobility.

International Moving Organization

Moving is often the most stressful logistical part of an expatriation. Careful preparation avoids the majority of problems.

• Compare several international moving quotes at least 2 months before departure
• Establish an accurate inventory of all goods to be shipped
• Check the customs restrictions of the country of destination (alcohol, medication, electronics)
• Take out baggage insurance that covers the real value of your belongings
• Provide temporary storage if your home is not yet available
• Manage the future of your furniture and belongings left in France (sale, donation, furniture storage)

International moving often involves a delivery time of 4 to 12 weeks by sea. Pack a suitcase with the essentials for the first weeks on site. Checklist departure expatriation family children preparation lists the points that are often forgotten when moving as a family, especially for children and pets.

Choice of carrier, inventory and customs

Expats have three options: shared containers (groupage), full containers or express shipping. For a light start, grouping is often sufficient; for a family with furniture, the complete container is recommended. Compare at least 3 quotes and check the actual delivery times. A detailed inventory of your goods is mandatory for customs clearance: each item must be listed with its estimated value, this document also serving as the basis for your luggage insurance. Attention, some countries prohibit or heavily tax the import of second-hand items, food products or certain medications.

Pets and Support Networks

Domestic animals require specific procedures: European passport, anti-rabies vaccine, identification by electronic chip and sometimes an official health certificate. Some countries impose mandatory quarantine upon arrival (Australia, New Zealand, Japan) (Australia, New Zealand, Japan), anticipate these procedures at least 3 to 4 months before your departure. Expat communities like Femmexpat or Facebook groups can help you find a local veterinarian or licensed carrier. Beware of online scams: our guide to Scams abroad Will give you the right reflexes to adopt.

Professional Formalities and Resignation

Your professional situation must be regulated well before D-Day. These steps have direct financial and legal consequences.

• Write a clear resignation letter and send it by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt
• Check the length of legal notice according to your contract and collective agreement
• Negotiate a contractual break if possible (entitles you to unemployment benefit)
• Retrieve your balance of any account, your pay slips and your work certificate
• Fill in your file with France Travail (ex-Pôle Emploi) before departure
• Anticipate the treatment of your employee savings, PEE and supplementary pension

6 procedures: preparation, expatriation, financial documents List the professional priorities to be resolved before leaving your job for an expatriation.

Letter of resignation, termination of contract and unemployment

The resignation letter must be sent by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt: it triggers the notice, the duration of which varies according to your status and seniority. If your employer accepts the contractual break, you will benefit from a specific compensation and access to unemployment rights, the most sustainable solution to maintain a financial safety net during your first months abroad. You can receive your unemployment benefits abroad under certain conditions, with 3 years after your departure to benefit from them. Register with France Travail before leaving the country and find out about remote monitoring procedures.

Advance notice and balance of any account

During the notice period, you remain a full employee: transmit your current files, train your replacement if necessary and get all your HR documents before your last day. Do not neglect your balance of any account (paid leave not taken, 13th month prorated): these amounts can represent several weeks of income to finance your installation in your new country.

Schooling for Expatriate Children

If you are leaving as a family, the schooling of children is an absolute priority to include in your expatriation checklist before departure. This subject deserves particular attention as early as J-90.

• Identify French, bilingual or local schools close to your future home
• Contact the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) for approved institutions
• Gather School Reports, Child Records, and Level Certificates
• Check the start of school dates in the destination country
• Provide an Authorization to Leave the Country for Minors Traveling with Only One Parent

Authorization to leave the country is mandatory for any French minor traveling with only one parent or without his parents. This document can be downloaded from service-public.fr and must be accompanied by the identity card of the signing parent.

Bilingual, French schools and local systems

The AEFE network has more than 500 establishments in 138 countries. Tuition fees vary greatly between countries and institutions, and waiting lists in French high schools abroad are often long: register as soon as possible. Private bilingual schools offer an interesting alternative, especially in English- or Spanish-speaking countries. The local school system may also be chosen to promote integration, provided that the child quickly masters or learns the country's language.

Enrollment and Transfer of School Files

The transfer of the school file must be requested from the current institution before departure: it includes report cards from the last 2 or 3 years, national evaluations and school certificates. For children with special needs, contact your MDPH to obtain the documents necessary for the continuity of educational follow-up in your destination country. Careful preparation prevents harmful school breaks.

Preparation Timeline: D-90 to D-Day

Here is the complete chronological chart to organize your departure for expatriation without forgetting anything. It is the most effective departure check there is.

J-90: General Planning and Advance Research

With 3 months to go before the start, lay the main foundations of your project.

• Check the validity of the passport and start the renewal if necessary
• Identify the visa application procedures and compile the file
• Contact your employer to inform you of your departure and negotiate the conditions
• Start Looking for Accommodation in Your Destination Country
• Compare expatriate insurance offers (CFE, Nils Expat, Overseas and alternatives)
• Identify schools for your children if applicable

It's also a good time to join expat communities online. Facebook groups, forums and platforms like SafExpat gives you access to valuable feedback on your future destination. Find all our destinations on Our destinations page To find resources adapted to your country.

J-60: Administrative documents and official requests

With 2 months to go before departure, the administrative procedures must be accelerated.

• Submit the visa application if you have not already done so
• Request a Birth Certificate and Criminal Record
• Inform La Poste for the forwarding of mail
• Terminate home insurance, electricity and internet contracts (with notice)
• Perform a Health Check and Consult a Travel Doctor for Vaccinations
• Compile complete medical records and begin the process of enrolling children in school

It is also at J-60 that you should send your resignation letter if your notice is 2 months. Respect the legal deadlines so not to lose rights.

D-30: Finalization of banking, insurance and housing

With 1 month to go before the start, the last major projects are being finalized.

• Confirm your accommodation abroad and pay the deposit
• Definitely Take Out Your Expatriate Insurance and Your Mutual Insurance
• Open or confirm the opening of your bank account abroad
• Organize the International Move: Confirm the Carrier and Finalize the Inventory
• Register at the Consulate If You Have Not Yet Done So
• Obtain an international driver's license if required by your destination country

An international driving license is obtained at the prefecture by presenting your national license, an identity photo and a proof of residence. It is valid for 3 years and recognized in more than 150 countries. For your home, beware of offers that are too good: Foreign Rental Scams are common, especially for expatriates looking remotely.

D-7 to D-Day: Final Preparations and Checks

The last week before your departure is devoted to final checks.

• Check the validity of all documents (passport, visa, tickets) one last time
• Pack an “emergency” suitcase with medication, copies of documents and cash
• Inform your French bank of the date of your departure and your destination
• Do the last shopping (specific medications, products that cannot be found abroad)
• Hand over the keys to your French home and get your security deposit back
• Confirm arrangements for your pets

Conclusion: Your Expatriation Checklist, Your Best Ally

Preparing for your departure abroad cannot be improvised. This guide took you through the eight main steps of a successful expatriation checklist before departure: administrative documents, procedures with La Poste and public services, health coverage with CFE or Nils Expat, banking management, international relocation, professional formalities, professional formalities, professional formalities, professional formalities, professional formalities, professional formalities, professional formalities, schooling for children and the J-90 to Day J timeline. Each section is a link in the same chain. Forgetting only one can compromise your installation.

International mobility is an extraordinary adventure. With the right preparation, it also becomes a serene experience. Explore our SafExpat support packs to benefit from personalized follow-up at each stage of your expatriation checklist before departure, from the visa application to your first week on site.

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