EU / EEA / Switzerland

No French visa or titre de séjour for study; focus on university and social steps.

Steps

  1. Admission — Often via Parcoursup / Mon Master depending on level.
  2. CVEC — Pay €105 (2025/2026) at cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr; keep the certificate.
  3. Travel — ID or passport.
  4. Enrollment — CVEC proof, ID, EHIC (or coverage) at the university.
  5. CAF (optional) — Housing allowance once you have a lease.

Non-EU — VLS-TS (long-stay student)

Typical EEF / Campus France path

  1. Études en France — Campus France account, documents, interview fee and academic interview.
  2. France-Visas — Long-stay visa application after validation.
  3. VAC appointment — TLScontact / VFS: biometrics, fee (often €50 via EEF or €99 standard—verify).
  4. Arrival — Within 3 months: validate VLS-TS online via OFII and pay the €60 tax; skipping this voids status.
  5. CVEC €105 — Required before university enrollment.

Checklist (visa centre)

  • Passport, Campus France / EEF proof, admission, funds (about €615/month / €7,380/year—bank, blocked account, or scholarship), accommodation proof (first months), arrival health cover, photos.

Official links

Go deeper

Operational detail from official French/EU portals—amounts and calendars change; always confirm on service-public.fr, impots.gouv.fr, and your local préfecture.

EU stay & town hall

France does not run a mandatory population registration like Germany’s Anmeldung. EU citizens staying >3 months have a right of stay; you can request an optional attestation d’enregistrement at the Mairie.

Social Security number (NIR)

15-digit identifier for CPAM, work, CAF, and banking. Students often apply via CPAM after enrolment; employees via employer/URSSAF.

FranceConnect

Single sign-on to tax, health, family benefits, and more; France Identité for higher-assurance flows.

Income tax & withholding

Most people must file online; many lines are pre-filled. Filing windows depend on your département. Monthly withholding at source (PAS) has applied since 2019.

Micro-entrepreneur

Simplified self-employment with turnover ceilings and flat-rate social contributions—check current thresholds on URSSAF.

Go deeper

Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.

Tax ID & digital identity

Personal tax number (SPI)

Your French tax identifier is used for declarations, banking, and many public portals.

FranceConnect / France Identité

Single sign-on to health, tax, family benefits, and other public services.

Residence permit

Applications and renewals go through your préfecture—book slots early and keep receipts.

CPAM & CAF

Health insurance fund

Open your file with the local CPAM after you settle; declare a médecin traitant for coordinated care.

Family allowance fund

Housing benefits and student-related aids via your CAF account.

Study & visas

Campus France

Etudes en France workflows and visa routes for many non-EU students.

Diploma recognition

Check with your institution; ENIC-NARIC France can help for international comparisons.

OFII (first arrival)

Some long-stay visas trigger an OFII medical visit and civic training—follow the letters you receive.

Local rules

Prefecture calendars and city hall (mairie) steps differ by département—always cross-check with your préfecture website.

Note

This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.

Trusted sources we used for this content

Official French and EU portals: Eurostat, service-public.fr, impots.gouv.fr, Ameli, OFII, Urssaf, and the Foreign Ministry. Always confirm amounts on the competent site.