Does a foreigner who settles in France have to register there?

Verified 26 February 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Yes, the approach is mandatory if you settle in France and declare your principal residence, regardless of your nationality. The process must be done within 1 month after your installation. It can be carried out on the internet or with a authorized automotive professional. The address on the certificate of registration (previously called ₪), will be your home in France. We're taking a look at the regulations.

Warning  

Some countries require specific formalities (e.g. handing over old license plates to local authorities). Ask the consulate from your country of origin in France.

Internet

Step-by-step approach

The list of documents is different depending on whether the vehicle was previously registered in a country of the European Union or in another country:

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Vehicle registered in a European Union country

You must have a digital copy (photo or scan) of the following documents:

  • Certificate of registration of origin, without special mention, or an official piece of ownership of the vehicle
  • If the registration certificate has been retained by the administrative authorities of the foreigner country, an official document indicating this, or a valid international motor vehicle certificate issued by those authorities
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old (or, in the case of joint holders, proof of the person whose address will appear on the registration certificate)
  • Form cerfa no. 13750
  • Proof of roadworthiness, if the vehicle has more than 4 years and is not exempt from it.
    The control must have less than 6 months (when a counter-visit has been prescribed, the time allowed to carry it out must not be exceeded) and must have been produced in France or in the European Union if the vehicle was registered there. The roadworthiness test must be less than 6 months old on the day of application for the certificate of registration. If the deadline is exceeded, you will need to carry out a new check, at your expense.
  • Unless the application for registration is marked with an exemption issued by the tax authorities: tax receipts issued by the principal revenue from taxes certifying that the VAT: titleContent was paid in France. The clearance is not required for a trailer or semi-trailer.
  • If you're doing it for someone else: mandate signed and identity document the person for whom you are performing the procedure.
  • Technical proof of conformity corresponding to the vehicle situation:
    • European Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the manufacturer. It may be issued as a digital document.
    • Or certificate of identification of the vehicle to the Community type, issued by the manufacturer or his representative in France or Dreal: titleContent
    • If you have an EU Harmonized Final Certificate of Registration (CIEU), certificate of verification of technical data issued by Dreal
    • In all other cases, isolated type-approval (RTI) issued by the Dreal.

For further information on vehicle type-approval and conformity, please contact the Dreal of your department.

Who shall I contact

You must certify on honor the applicant for the certificate of registration has a insurance certificate of vehicle and one driver's license corresponding to the category of the registered vehicle.

You do not have to attach a digital copy (photo or scan) of the driver's license. However, this may be requested during the examination of your file.

Vehicle registered in another country

You must have a digital copy (photo or scan) of the following documents:

  • Certificate of registration of origin, without special mention, or an official piece of ownership of the vehicle
  • If the registration certificate has been retained by the administrative authorities of the foreigner country:
    • Official document indicating this,
    • Or valid international motor vehicle certificate issued by these authorities
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old (or, in the case of joint holders, proof of the person whose address will appear on the registration certificate)
  • Form cerfa no. 13750
  • Proof of roadworthiness, if the vehicle has more than 4 years and is not exempt from it.
    The control must have less than 6 months (when a counter-visit has been prescribed, the time allowed to carry it out must not be exceeded) and must have been made in France or in a European Union country. The roadworthiness test must be less than 6 months old on the day of application for the certificate of registration. If the deadline is exceeded, you will need to carry out a new check, at your expense.
  • Customs clearance certificate 846 A, unless the application for registration bears an exemption statement issued by the customs authorities
  • If you're doing it for someone else: mandate signed and identity document the person for whom you are performing the procedure.
  • Technical proof of conformity corresponding to the vehicle situation:
    • European Certificate of Conformity (COC), issued by the manufacturer
    • Or certificate of identification of the vehicle to the Community type, issued by the manufacturer or his representative in France or a Dreal: titleContent
    • Or a separate acknowledgement issued by a Real.

For further information on vehicle type-approval and compliance, please contact the Dreal of your department.

For any information on customs duties, contact a customs office.

Who shall I contact

You must certify on honor the applicant for the certificate of registration has a insurance certificate of vehicle and one driver's license corresponding to the category of the registered vehicle.

You do not have to attach a digital copy (photo or scan) of the driver's license. However, this may be requested during the examination of your file.

The cost of the certificate of registration is variable. It depends on the characteristics of the vehicle and the region in which you live.

You can estimate the cost of the Certificate of Registration using a simulator :

Calculate the cost of the Certificate of Registration

The regulation of amount of the certificate of registration must be made by credit card.

You must complete the process on the internet using the following online service:

Applying for a Certificate of Registration for a Used Vehicle with a Foreign Registration

You must log in to the ANTS website by logging in either via France Connect, or via the application France identity, or by using the username and password of your France Titres (ANTS) account. If you don't have an ANTS account, you can create one.

A digital copying device (scanner, digital camera, smartphone or tablet equipped with a photo function) is required.

Some numeric points (with computers, printers and scanners) are available in every prefecture and most sub-prefectures. You can complete the process there. You can be helped by digital mediators if you encounter difficulties with the use of the internet.

You can also be accompanied in your approach by a house France Services.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

It is no longer possible to apply for a registration certificate from the prefecture or sub-prefecture.

To the end from the procedure, you get the 3 elements following:

  • File Number
  • Accused of registration of your request
  • Provisional Certificate of Registration (CPI), which you must print. The CPI allows you to circulate for 1 month, only in France, pending receipt of your final certificate of registration.

An online service allows to follow the progress of the process:

Track your application for a Certificate of Registration

You will receive the final registration certificate, sent by La Poste in followed letter, at your home within a period that may vary.

It may take a few days or even weeks to process your application for a registration certificate for the most complex cases. Timelines also vary depending on the time of year: a high volume of applications can extend processing time.

You must pay attention to the address you provide in the online procedure. It must be as complete as possible (building number, apartment number, letterbox number, floor, corridor, staircase, “resident at home”, etc.).

Your mailbox must show your first and last name.

You can track the shipment of your registration certificate either with the registration number or with the tracking number of the Post Office. This tracking number has been communicated to you by email or SMS if you have entered your mobile phone number.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Please note

Upon receipt of your registration certificate, if you hold a national identity card (CNI) in bank card format, you can also download your digital certificate of registration in the application France identity.

You must keep the old certificate of registration for 5 yearsand then destroy it.

Qualified Professional

Step-by-step approach

The parts list is different depending on whether the vehicle was previously registered in a country of the European Union or in another country.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Vehicle registered in a European Union country

You must have a digital copy (photo or scan) of the following documents:

  • Certificate of registration of origin, without special mention, or an official piece of ownership of the vehicle
  • If the registration certificate has been retained by the administrative authorities of the foreigner country, an official document indicating this, or a valid international motor vehicle certificate issued by those authorities
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old (or, in the case of joint holders, proof of the person whose address will appear on the registration certificate)
  • Form cerfa no. 13750
  • Proof of roadworthiness, if the vehicle has more than 4 years and is not exempt from it.
    The control must have less than 6 months (when a counter-visit has been prescribed, the time allowed to carry it out must not be exceeded) and must have been produced in France or in the European Union if the vehicle was registered there. The roadworthiness test must be less than 6 months old on the day of application for the certificate of registration. If the deadline is exceeded, you will need to carry out a new check, at your expense.
  • Unless the application for registration is marked with an exemption granted by the tax authorities: tax receipts issued by the principal revenue from taxes certifying that the VAT: titleContent was paid in France. The clearance is not required for a trailer or semi-trailer.
  • If you're doing it for someone else: mandate signed and identity document the person for whom you are performing the procedure.
  • Technical proof of conformity corresponding to the vehicle situation:
    • European Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the manufacturer. It may be issued as a digital document.
    • Or certificate of identification of the vehicle to the Community type, issued by the manufacturer or his representative in France or Dreal: titleContent
    • If you have an EU Harmonized Final Certificate of Registration (CIEU), certificate of verification of technical data issued by Dreal
    • In all other cases, isolated type-approval (RTI) issued by the Dreal.

For further information on vehicle type-approval and compliance, please contact the Dreal of your department.

Who shall I contact

You must certify on honor the applicant for the certificate of registration has a insurance certificate of vehicle and one driver's license corresponding to the category of the registered vehicle.

You do not have to attach a digital copy (photo or scan) of the driver's license. However, this may be requested during the examination of your file.

Vehicle registered in another country

You must have a digital copy (photo or scan) of the following documents:

  • Certificate of registration of origin, without special mention, or an official piece of ownership of the vehicle
  • If the registration certificate has been retained by the administrative authorities of the foreigner country:
    • Official document indicating this,
    • Or valid international motor vehicle certificate issued by these authorities
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old (or, in the case of joint holders, proof of the person whose address will appear on the registration certificate)
  • Form cerfa no. 13750
  • Proof of roadworthiness, if the vehicle has more than 4 years and is not exempt from it.
    The control must have less than 6 months (when a counter-visit has been prescribed, the time allowed to carry it out must not be exceeded) and must have been made in France or in a European Union country. The roadworthiness test must be less than 6 months old on the day of application for a registration certificate. If the deadline is exceeded, you will need to carry out a new check, at your expense.
  • Customs clearance certificate 846 A, unless the application for registration bears an exemption statement issued by the customs authorities
  • If you're doing it for someone else: mandate signed and identity document the person for whom you are performing the procedure.
  • Technical proof of conformity corresponding to the vehicle situation:
    • European Certificate of Conformity (COC), issued by the manufacturer
    • Or certificate of identification of the vehicle to the Community type, issued by the manufacturer or his representative in France or a Dreal: titleContent
    • Or a separate acknowledgement issued by a Real.

For further information on vehicle type-approval and compliance, please contact the Dreal of your department.

For any information on customs duties, contact a customs office.

Who shall I contact

You must certify on honor the applicant for the certificate of registration has a insurance certificate of vehicle and one driver's license corresponding to the category of the registered vehicle.

You do not have to attach a digital copy (photo or scan) of the driver's license. However, this may be requested during the examination of your file.

The cost of the certificate of registration is variable. It depends on the characteristics of the vehicle and the region in which you live.

You can estimate the cost of the Certificate of Registration using a simulator :

Calculate the cost of the Certificate of Registration

In addition to the cost of the registration certificate, the professional will charge you an amount corresponding to the service he performs in your place. This amount is freely fixed by the professional.

One Provisional Certificate of Registration (CPI) is delivered to you immediately. It allows you to circulate for 1 month (in France only) pending receipt of your final certificate of registration.

An online service allows to follow the progress of the process:

Track your application for a Certificate of Registration

You will receive the final registration certificate, sent by La Poste in followed letter, at your home within a period that may vary.

It may take a few days or even weeks to process your application for a registration certificate for the most complex cases. Timelines also vary depending on the time of year: a high volume of applications can extend processing time.

You must pay attention to the address you provide in the online procedure. It must be as complete as possible (building number, apartment number, letterbox number, floor, corridor, staircase, “resident at home”, etc.).

Your mailbox must show your first and last name.

You can track the shipment of your registration certificate either with the registration number or with the tracking number of the Post Office. This tracking number has been communicated to you by email or SMS if you have entered your mobile phone number.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Please note

Upon receipt of your registration certificate, if you hold a national identity card (CNI) in bank card format, you can also download your digital certificate of registration in the application France identity.

You must keep the old certificate of registration for 5 yearsand then destroy it.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • 34 00 - Information on registration certificate or driver's license

    A national interactive voice server providing automated responses to the Certificate of Registration (formerly known as a "registration"), driver's license, national identity card and passport.

    If the user does not obtain the answer to his question relating to the registration certificate or the driving license, he will be put in contact with an advisor of France Titres, the National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS).

    By phone

    From the city:

    34,00 (cost of a local call)

    From overseas:

    09 70 83 07 07

    From the foreigner:

    +33 9 70 83 07 07