Glossary
Key terms for emigrating
APL (Personalized Housing Aid)
French housing benefit, comparable to Dutch housing allowance. Apply at the CAF. Amount depends on your income, rent and family composition.
Auto-Entrepreneur (Micro-Enterprise)
The simplified self-employment status in France. Low administrative burden, flat-rate tax on turnover. Ideal for freelancers and small entrepreneurs up to certain revenue thresholds.
CAF (Family Benefits Fund)
The French family benefits agency: child benefit, housing assistance (APL), living allowance. If you live and work in France, you are entitled to many of these benefits.
Carte de Séjour (Residence Permit)
The French residence permit. EU citizens do not need to apply for a carte de séjour but can obtain one as proof of residence rights. Non-EU citizens must apply for one.
Carte Vitale (Health Card)
The French health card that gives you access to the healthcare system. Medical costs are directly reimbursed with this card. Apply at the CPAM after your PUMA registration.
Contrôle Technique (Vehicle Inspection)
The French vehicle inspection (MOT). Mandatory for cars older than 4 years, then every 2 years. You may not drive without a valid contrôle technique.
CPAM (Primary Health Insurance Fund)
The local health insurance institution. Here you register for French health insurance, apply for your Carte Vitale and submit claims.
Dépôt de Garantie (Rental Deposit)
The French rental deposit: 1 month rent for unfurnished, 2 months for furnished. The landlord must return this within 1-2 months after departure.
Impôt sur le Revenu (Income Tax)
The French income tax. Progressive rates from 0% to 45%. Calculated per "foyer fiscal" (household). Since 2019 the tax is withheld directly from your salary.
Mairie (Town Hall)
The French town hall. Here you handle registration, marriages, and request various documents. Every village and city has a mairie.
OFII (French Immigration Office)
The French immigration office. Non-EU citizens must validate their visa and activate their residence permit here after arriving in France.
France Travail (Employment Agency)
The French employment agency (formerly Pôle Emploi, renamed to France Travail in 2024). Here you register as a job seeker and apply for unemployment benefits.
PUMA (Universal Health Coverage)
The French universal health coverage system. Everyone who lives stably in France (3+ months) is entitled to PUMA coverage, regardless of employment status.
Sécurité Sociale (Social Security)
The French social security system. Covers healthcare, pensions, family benefits and unemployment. Your numéro de sécurité sociale (15 digits) is your key to the system.
Taxe d'Habitation (Residence Tax)
A local tax on your main residence. Largely abolished for main residences since 2023, but still applies to second homes.