Your first weeks working abroad – registration, tax, insurance

1. Residence: as an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen you do not need a residence permit, but you may ask the prefecture for a residence card if you want one. After 5 years of legal residence you have the right to permanent residence.
2. Social security number (numéro de Sécurité sociale, NIR – 13 digits plus a 2-digit key): if you do not have one yet, contact the local health insurance fund (CPAM).
3. Health insurance card: the carte Vitale (also available as an app) holds the information needed to reimburse your medical costs – usually within a week.
4. Tax: income tax is deducted from your salary every month (prélèvement à la source) at a rate set by the tax office; until you have a personal rate, a default rate based on your salary applies. You still have to file an annual tax return. The 2026 income tax scale starts with a 0% band up to €11,600, then 11%.
5. Bank account: salaries are paid monthly, so open a French bank account early.

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