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France Bureaucracy Phrasebook

For the appointments where nobody hands you an interpreter: your residency office, healthcare registration, the bank, and signing a lease.

These phrases use the formal vous form, appropriate when speaking with officials, receptionists, doctors, bankers, landlords, and shopkeepers in France. French speakers generally expect this level of formality from strangers and in administrative settings. Say Bonjour before starting any request, even a simple question, as skipping the greeting is considered impolite in France.

Before you go

French administrative offices (préfectures, CPAM, banks) generally require an appointment (rendez-vous), often booked online in advance, and same-day walk-ins are frequently turned away. Bring original documents plus photocopies. Offices are commonly closed at midday for lunch and are typically closed on Sundays and Mondays. A calm, polite tone goes a long way.

Residency and immigration appointment

At the prefecture for a titre de sejour application, renewal, or OFII medical validation appointment.

  • Good morning, I have an appointment at the prefecture.

    Bonjour, j’ai un rendez-vous à la préfecture.

    bohn-ZHOOR, zhay uhn ron-day-VOO ah lah pray-fek-TEWR

    Open in translator

  • I don't speak French well, do you speak English?

    Je ne parle pas bien français, parlez-vous anglais?

    zhuh nuh parl pah byan frahn-SAY, par-lay VOO ahn-GLAY

    Open in translator

  • I would like to apply for a residence permit.

    Je voudrais faire une demande de titre de séjour.

    zhuh voo-DRAY fair ewn duh-MAHND duh TEE-truh duh say-ZHOOR

    Open in translator

  • Here are my documents and supporting papers.

    Voici mes documents et justificatifs.

    vwah-SEE may doh-kew-MAHN ay zhoo-stee-fee-kah-TEEF

    Open in translator

  • I need to schedule the OFII medical visit.

    Je dois prendre rendez-vous pour la visite médicale de l’OFII.

    zhuh dwah PRAHN-druh ron-day-VOO poor lah vee-ZEET may-dee-KAHL duh loh-FEE

    OFII = Office francais de l'immigration et de l'integration.

    Open in translator

  • When will my residence permit be ready?

    Quand mon titre de séjour sera-t-il prêt?

    kahn mohn TEE-truh duh say-ZHOOR suh-rah-teel PREH

    Open in translator

  • Could you tell me which documents are missing?

    Pourriez-vous m’indiquer quels documents sont manquants?

    poo-ree-ay VOO man-dee-KAY kel doh-kew-MAHN sohn mahn-KAHN

    Open in translator

  • I would like to renew my visa or residence permit.

    Je voudrais renouveler mon visa ou mon titre de séjour.

    zhuh voo-DRAY ruh-noo-vuh-LAY mohn VEE-zah oo mohn TEE-truh duh say-ZHOOR

    Open in translator

Healthcare registration and at the doctor

Registering with CPAM and the carte Vitale, declaring a primary care doctor, and describing symptoms at an appointment.

  • I would like to register with French health insurance.

    Je voudrais m’inscrire à la Sécurité sociale.

    zhuh voo-DRAY man-SKREER ah lah say-kew-ree-TAY soh-SYAHL

    CPAM is the local office that handles this registration.

    Open in translator

  • I would like to apply for my carte Vitale.

    Je voudrais faire une demande de carte Vitale.

    zhuh voo-DRAY fair ewn duh-MAHND duh kart vee-TAHL

    The carte Vitale is the French health insurance card.

    Open in translator

  • I would like to declare a primary care doctor.

    Je voudrais déclarer un médecin traitant.

    zhuh voo-DRAY day-klah-RAY uhn mayd-SAN treh-TAHN

    Open in translator

  • I would like to make an appointment with the doctor.

    Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous avec le médecin.

    zhuh voo-DRAY PRAHN-druh ron-day-VOO ah-VEK luh mayd-SAN

    Open in translator

  • I have a fever and a sore throat.

    J’ai de la fièvre et mal à la gorge.

    zhay duh lah FYEV-ruh ay mahl ah lah GORZH

    Open in translator

  • I am allergic to penicillin.

    Je suis allergique à la pénicilline.

    zhuh swee zah-lair-ZHEEK ah lah pay-nee-see-LEEN

    Open in translator

  • Do I need a prescription for this medication?

    Ai-je besoin d’une ordonnance pour ce médicament?

    ay-zhuh buh-ZWAN dewn or-doh-NAHNS poor suh may-dee-kah-MAHN

    Open in translator

  • Will this visit be reimbursed?

    Cette consultation sera-t-elle remboursée?

    set kon-sewl-tah-SYOHN suh-rah-TEL rahm-boor-SAY

    Open in translator

Opening a bank account

At a bank branch to open an account and set up the basics.

  • I would like to open a bank account, please.

    Je voudrais ouvrir un compte bancaire, s’il vous plaît.

    zhuh voo-DRAY oo-VREER uhn kohnt bahn-KAIR, seel voo PLAY

    Open in translator

  • Here is my proof of address.

    Voici mon justificatif de domicile.

    vwah-SEE mohn zhoo-stee-fee-kah-TEEF duh doh-mee-SEEL

    A recent utility bill or rent receipt is commonly accepted.

    Open in translator

  • Could I have my RIB, please?

    Pourrais-je avoir mon RIB, s’il vous plaît?

    poo-RAY-zhuh ah-VWAHR mohn air-ee-BAY, seel voo PLAY

    RIB has your account and IBAN details, needed for direct debits and transfers.

    Open in translator

  • When will I receive my debit card?

    Quand vais-je recevoir ma carte bancaire?

    kahn vay-zhuh ruh-suh-VWAHR mah kart bahn-KAIR

    Open in translator

  • I would like to set up a direct debit.

    Je voudrais mettre en place un prélèvement automatique.

    zhuh voo-DRAY MET-truh ahn plahs uhn pray-lev-MAHN oh-toh-mah-TEEK

    Open in translator

  • What are the account fees?

    Quels sont les frais de tenue de compte?

    kel sohn lay fray duh tuh-NEW duh KOHNT

    Open in translator

  • I have forgotten my PIN code.

    J’ai oublié mon code confidentiel.

    zhay oo-blee-AY mohn kohd kohn-fee-dahn-SYEL

    Open in translator

  • I would like to transfer money to another account.

    Je voudrais faire un virement vers un autre compte.

    zhuh voo-DRAY fair uhn veer-MAHN vair uhn OH-truh KOHNT

    Open in translator

Housing and signing a lease

Viewing an apartment, renting it, and handling the deposit, lease, and utilities.

  • I am here to view the apartment.

    Je viens visiter l’appartement.

    zhuh vyan vee-zee-TAY lah-par-tuh-MAHN

    Open in translator

  • Is the apartment still available?

    L’appartement est-il toujours disponible?

    lah-par-tuh-MAHN ay-TEEL too-ZHOOR dee-spoh-NEE-bluh

    Open in translator

  • What is the amount of the security deposit?

    Quel est le montant du dépôt de garantie?

    kel ay luh mohn-TAHN dew day-POH duh gah-rahn-TEE

    Depot de garantie is the official term; you may also hear caution.

    Open in translator

  • I would like to sign the lease.

    Je voudrais signer le bail.

    zhuh voo-DRAY see-NYAY luh BAH-ee

    Bail rhymes roughly with the English word eye.

    Open in translator

  • Are utilities included in the rent?

    Les charges sont-elles comprises dans le loyer?

    lay SHARZH sohn-TEL kohm-PREEZ dahn luh lwah-YAY

    Open in translator

  • I need a proof of income or a guarantor.

    J’ai besoin d’un justificatif de revenus ou d’un garant.

    zhay buh-ZWAN duhn zhoo-stee-fee-kah-TEEF duh ruh-vuh-NEW oo duhn gah-RAHN

    Open in translator

  • When can I move in?

    Quand puis-je emménager?

    kahn PWEE-zhuh ahn-may-nah-ZHAY

    Open in translator

  • I would like to report a problem in the apartment.

    Je voudrais signaler un problème dans l’appartement.

    zhuh voo-DRAY see-nyah-LAY uhn proh-BLEM dahn lah-par-tuh-MAHN

    Open in translator

Everyday essentials on arrival

Greetings, courtesy phrases, getting a SIM card, asking directions, and understanding prices.

  • Hello / Good day.

    Bonjour.

    bohn-ZHOOR

    Open in translator

  • Good evening.

    Bonsoir.

    bohn-SWAHR

    Open in translator

  • Please.

    S’il vous plaît.

    seel voo PLAY

    Open in translator

  • Thank you very much.

    Merci beaucoup.

    mair-SEE boh-KOO

    Open in translator

  • Excuse me, do you speak English?

    Excusez-moi, parlez-vous anglais?

    ex-kew-zay MWAH, par-lay VOO ahn-GLAY

    Open in translator

  • I would like to buy a SIM card, please.

    Je voudrais acheter une carte SIM, s’il vous plaît.

    zhuh voo-DRAY ash-TAY ewn kart seem, seel voo PLAY

    Open in translator

  • Could you show me the way to the train station, please?

    Pourriez-vous m’indiquer le chemin pour la gare, s’il vous plaît?

    poo-ree-ay VOO man-dee-KAY luh shuh-MAN poor lah GAHR, seel voo PLAY

    Open in translator

  • How much does that cost, please?

    Combien cela coûte-t-il, s’il vous plaît?

    kohm-BYAN suh-lah KOOT-teel, seel voo PLAY

    Open in translator

Planning the move itself?

This phrasebook is the language layer. For the visa route, the true cost, and the tax reality of France, read the full corridor guide.

Moving to France from the USA All country phrasebooks

Take Root Abroad is a planning tool, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Phrasing and office names change; confirm the current requirements for your situation locally. Translations are a starting point, not a substitute for a professional interpreter in high-stakes settings.