Leaving France or the EU? Here’s a Complete Pre-Departure Checklist for Indian Expats

Serving the Indian and South Asian Diaspora in France under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris

Leaving a country like France can be both emotionally taxing and administratively complex. Whether you’re returning to India or relocating to a new destination, it’s essential to wrap up all legal, financial, and personal affairs properly before you bid “au revoir.” Overlooking even small formalities can lead to significant complications later.

At L’Association Frehindi, we often support members of the Indian and South Asian community who face unexpected hurdles during their departure—delayed paperwork, financial penalties, or unresolved obligations—often due to a lack of clear and timely guidance.

To help you avoid such pitfalls, we’ve created a comprehensive checklist of everything you need to take care of before leaving France or any EU country. Drawing from real-life inspired scenarios, this guide is specially tailored for the Indian expat community to make your transition smoother, safer, and stress-free.

🏠 Accommodation – France vs India

In France:

Notify your landlord 1–3 months in advance.
Use a “lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception” (registered letter with acknowledgment).
Don’t skip the État des Lieux de Sortie (exit inspection); it’s key to getting your security deposit back.

Example:
Anjali from Bengaluru had to forfeit €1,200 because she didn’t send a registered notice and left without a proper exit inspection.

In India:
Lease exits are usually more informal and verbal; however, registered rental agreements in metro cities now require proper notice. But unlike France, there’s rarely a legal inspection of premises.

🎓 Education – Transferring Academic Records

In France:

Notify your university or child’s school.
Request all transcripts, certificates, and recommendation letters.

Example:
Vivek from Pune missed an admission deadline in Canada because his French university delayed transcripts he hadn’t officially requested in time.

In India:
Students often collect documents during convocation, and schools are cooperative with transfers. But ensure official stamps and attestations for use abroad.

💶 Finance – Closing Accounts the Right Way

Bank Accounts in France:

Settle all bills and cancel standing orders.
Withdraw or transfer balances before requesting closure using a registered letter.
Maintain one account (with online banks like Boursorama or Revolut) for a year if needed.

Example:
Swati from Delhi didn’t transfer her funds out of Société Générale, and they were stuck for months after account closure due to compliance checks.

In India:
Banks require a form and ID for closure. Less bureaucracy but more in-person visits.

Credit Cards:
Settle balances and inform providers. French banks may keep charging annual fees unless explicitly cancelled.

🧾 CAF (Family Allowance)

Benefits stop if you’re out of France for more than 3 months.
Declare your move using CAF-Mon Compte online or app.

Example:
Ajay and Priya from Mumbai had to return €2,000 in overpaid benefits because they didn’t declare their move to the CAF.

💰 Savings & Investments – What You Can Keep

Keep After Leaving France:

Livret A, PEL, and PEA (except if moving to a tax haven).
Assurance Vie can continue, but tax benefits change.
SCPI income is still taxed in France.

Must Close:

Livret Jeune, LEP

Important Note: If there’s no tax treaty between France and your new country, you risk double taxation.

🛡️ Insurance Policies

Cancel all contracts (home, health, vehicle) via registered letter.
Settle any dues to avoid legal follow-ups.

Example:
Gaurav from Ahmedabad kept getting bills from MAIF months after leaving Paris, because he forgot to cancel his renter’s insurance.

🧾 Taxes – File Before You Fly

Notify your local tax office about your departure.
Submit the “formulaire de déclaration de départ à l’étranger”.
Declare all income up to your departure.
Non-residents must file annually if they have French income.

👵 Pension

Check eligibility on lassuranceretraite.fr.
<9 quarters: You can request a refund.
9 quarters: Funds are locked until retirement.
Update your new address.

Example:
Deepak from Chennai lost access to his pension records because he forgot to update his foreign address after moving.

🏥 Healthcare

Social Security:

Submit the S1105 form to CPAM within one month.
You can keep your Carte Vitale only if you’re a French pensioner.
If moving within the EU, apply for the EHIC card.

Mutuelle (Private Insurance):

Cancel via registered letter, unless it’s employer-provided.

Medical Records:

Request complete records including vaccinations and prescriptions.

🔌 Utilities & Subscriptions

Cancel:
- Mobile/Internet/TV
- Electricity/Gas/Water
- Gym
- Library & extracurriculars
- Public transport passes (e.g., Navigo, Tisseo)

All via registered letters or personal accounts online.

Example:
Neha from Hyderabad ended up paying for 3 months of unused Orange internet because she assumed it would auto-cancel after departure.

🛂 Visa & Resident Permit

No formal exit required; permits expire automatically.
Just keep copies of all visas for future reference or reapplication.

💼 Work Exit

Inform your employer.
Return company items.
Collect work certificates (attestation de travail) and final payslips.

🚗 Vehicle

Sell or export.
Cancel registration online via prefecture.
Notify your insurance company.

🐾 Pets

Follow the import rules of the destination country.
Update or cancel pet registrations.
Arrange microchips, certificates, and vaccinations.

📦 Moving Your Belongings

Get quotes from international movers.
Compare services and insurance policies.
Sell or donate unused items on Leboncoin, Vinted, or Facebook groups.

📫 Update Contacts

Notify your:
- Friends & family
- Bank & insurance
- Employer & university
- Embassy

🇮🇳 How L’Association Frehindi Helps

Many Indians and South Asians living in France and Europe are unaware of the official procedures or may underestimate the impact of informal exits. At L’Association Frehindi, we regularly help individuals like:

Santosh from Kerala, who lost his rental deposit due to a verbal-only lease exit.
Meera from Kolkata, who paid double taxes due to not declaring departure to the French tax office.
Amrit from Punjab, who unknowingly violated CAF rules and had to repay thousands.

Through workshops, legal clinics, and counselling under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris, we ensure no Indian expat is left behind.

If you or someone you know is planning to leave France or any other EU country, contact us for personalized guidanceto make your departure smooth and compliant.

✈️ Final Thoughts: Leaving Well Is Living Well

Leaving France isn’t just about packing your bags—it’s about tying up every loose end so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. For Indian and South Asian expats, navigating the French system can feel daunting, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary stress. From closing bank accounts and settling taxes to transferring academic records and cancelling insurance, each detail matters.

At L’Association Frehindi, under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris, we’re committed to standing by you at every step. Our mission is simple: to ensure that no member of our community is left overwhelmed or uninformed during such a crucial transition.

If you’re planning your departure, let us help you make it seamless. Get in touch for one-on-one support, attend our dedicated workshops, and benefit from the collective wisdom of a community that understands your journey.

Bon voyage, shubh yatra — and remember, wherever you go, you’re never far from your Indian family in France.

📲Let’s Stay in Touch

💬 Join our WhatsApp community for Indian expats in France — a trusted space for real-time questions, support, and shared experiences.
📞 Connect directly at +33 6 27 92 43 98 for personalized guidance.
📘 Like our Facebook page: facebook.com/assofrehindi for daily updates and useful info.
📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel “Indians in France” for legal, cultural, and lifestyle guidance.

🇮🇳🤝🇫🇷
With Frehindi by your side, navigating life across borders becomes a little easier — and a lot more reassuring.

Warm regards,
Haru Mehra
President,
L’Association Frehindi
A not-for-profit association under French Law 1901

📧 haru@frehindi.com | 🌍 www.frehindi.org | 📞 +33 6 27 92 43 98