Complete Moving Checklist for France: 8 Weeks Before to Day of Move

Moving in France involves a layer of administrative coordination that catches most first-timers off guard. Parking permits, ZFE restrictions, utility contracts, mandatory address updates with the tax authority — none of these are optional.

8 weeks before: scoping the move

Eight weeks out, your goal is clarity: how much you're moving, how much it will cost, and which mover you trust.

• Inventory your home, room by room. Use our volume calculator.
• Request 3 to 5 quotes from verified moving companies.
• Schedule a video or in-person inventory with your top two choices.
• Apply for parking permits in both your origin and destination cities. Paris, Lyon, Marseille and most French metros require an autorisation de stationnement temporaire (ASTT) requested 10 to 15 days in advance (at least 15 days in Paris) — but processing can take up to 4 weeks in summer.
• Notify your landlord in writing (registered mail) if you're renting. Standard notice in France is 1 to 3 months depending on the lease type and zone.

6 weeks before: booking and notifications

• Confirm your mover and sign the contract. A serious French mover requires a deposit (typically 30%) but never 100% upfront.
• Notify your employer if relocation impacts your work setup.
• Register your children at their new school (inscription scolaire).
• Order moving supplies if you're packing yourself.
• Sort and declutter. Every cubic meter you don't move saves you €30 to €80.

4 weeks before: utilities and address changes

This is the administrative heavy week.

• Set the move date with your electricity provider (EDF, Engie, or alternative).
• Same for gas, water, and internet. Internet activation in France often takes 2 to 4 weeks.
• Update your address with the tax authority (impots.gouv.fr). Mandatory.
• Notify the CAF if you receive housing aid (APL).
• Update your driver's licence and vehicle registration (carte grise) on ANTS portal.
• Forward your mail via La Poste's réexpédition service.

2 weeks before: confirmation and final checks

• Confirmation call with your mover.
• Final inventory walk-through.
• Confirm the parking permit is granted.
• Plan logistics for kids, pets, and plants.
• Withdraw cash if you plan to tip the team (€20 to €50 per mover is customary).

1 week before: packing and prep

• Pack non-essentials yourself.
• Pack a "first night" box per person.
• Photograph fragile and high-value items.
• Defrost your freezer 48 hours before moving day.
• Confirm parking signs are installed at both addresses.

Moving day: protocol and what to check

• Be present from the start. Walk through every room with the team leader.
• Verify the inventory list (inventaire de chargement) before loading.
• Photograph any pre-existing damage at both addresses.
• Don't sign blank documents.
• Check the lettre de voiture — it must mention the mover, the volume, the route, and any reservations.
• At delivery, walk through every box and piece of furniture. Note any visible damage on the bordereau de livraison before signing.

Day after: the claim window

You have 10 calendar days from the day you receive your belongings to send the moving company a reasoned written complaint about damage, by registered mail (LRAR), under Article L. 224-63 of the French Consumer Code (Code de la consommation). The deadline becomes three months if the procedure for recording reservations was not given to you in the form required by ministerial order (arrêté). Attach photos taken before and after. Reference the inventory and the bordereau de livraison.

A serious mover has an RC pro insurance contract and a claims process. If the dispute persists after your written complaint, you can refer it to the mover's consumer mediator at no cost to you (Article L. 612-1 of the French Consumer Code), within one year of that written complaint (Article L. 612-2). The mover must give you its mediator's contact details (Article L. 616-1).

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book a moving company in France?

Book 6 to 8 weeks in advance for moves in May, June, and September (peak season). Off-peak, 4 weeks is sufficient. In Paris, the parking permit alone must be requested at least 15 days ahead.

What documents do I need to update after moving in France?

Tax authority address (impots.gouv.fr), driver's licence and vehicle registration (ANTS), CAF if you receive housing aid, social security (Ameli), employer, bank, insurance, and your mutuelle. La Poste mail forwarding covers transition.

Can I claim damages after a French move?

Yes. French law gives you 10 calendar days from the day you receive your belongings to send a reasoned written complaint by registered mail (LRAR), under Article L. 224-63 of the French Consumer Code (Code de la consommation); three months if the procedure for recording reservations was not given to you in the form required by ministerial order (arrêté). Once the applicable deadline has passed, you can no longer take action against the mover for that damage or partial loss, unless you recorded reservations at delivery that the mover did not contest.