Shelf life of papers

Insurance contract (dwelling, motor vehicle civil liability)

2 years from the end of the contract

The time limit for taking action (action for payment of compensation, action for liability for breach of duty to provide information, etc.) is 2 years from the event giving rise to it. In the event of a claim, the period shall run from the day on which the person concerned became aware of it.

The time limit for taking action following damage resulting from ground movements following drought-rehydration of soils, recognized as a natural disaster, is 5 years from the event giving rise to it.

The time limit for taking action following an event resulting in bodily harm is 10 years from the date of consolidation of the initial or aggravated damage.

• Release
• Notice of Maturity
• Termination Mail
• Proof of settlement

Date of document + 2 years

Automotive Information Statement

Permanent

The information statement is issued by your insurer at the end of the contract or on request.

The statement shows the reduction/increase coefficient of your insurance premium (bonus-malus).

Life insurance contract

Permanent

The limitation period for actions related to the life insurance contract varies depending on whether you are the policyholder, insured or beneficiary.

Check cash in

1 year and 8 days

After this period, the check can no longer be cashed but the debt remains due.

Account opening agreement (current account, ELP, booklet A…)

5 years from account closure

• Statement of account (current account, ELP, booklet A…)
• Check stub

5 years from the date of the payment transaction entered in the account

A fraudulent debit must be contested within a maximum period of 13 months.

Credit card ticket (payment and withdrawal)

Until receipt of the account statement showing the corresponding balance

A fraudulent debit must be contested within a maximum period of 13 months.

• Contract of home loan
• Contract of consumer credit
• Supporting documents relating to these contracts

5 years from the closing of the loan

For consumer credit, the credit institution has 2 years to take legal action in the event of default by the borrower.

Income tax

• Income tax return
• Notice of Income Tax
• Supporting documents used. For example, proof (invoice, restaurant note, etc.) of actual costs

Until the end of the 3^e year following the year for which the tax is due

Example: the 2026 income tax return for 2025 is to be kept until at least December 31, 2028

The period of 3 years corresponds to right to take back administration. This time limit is 10 years in case of fraud.

Local taxes 

• Housing tax on second homes (declaration of occupation, tax notice, supporting documents)
• Property tax (return, tax notice, supporting documents)
• Tax on vacant housing (declaration of occupation, tax notice, supporting documents)
• Housing tax on vacant housing (declaration of occupation, tax notice, supporting documents)

Until the end of the year following the year for which the tax is due

Example: until December 31, 2027 for a tax assessment in 2026

The 1-year period corresponds to right to take back administration. This time limit is 3 years if you have benefited from an exemption, relief or a abatement which are subsequently rectified.

Tax on real estate wealth

Declaration, tax notice, supporting documents

Until the end of the 3^e year following the year for which the tax is due

Example: until 31 December 2029 for a declaration made in 2026

The period of 3 years corresponds to right to take back administration.

This time limit is 6 years where no declaration is made (or, where declaration is made, where further research is required), and 10 years if irregularities are revealed by court proceedings or a contentious claim, or if further research is needed on property located abroad.

Inheritance tax

Declaration of succession, supporting documentss

Until the end of the 3^e the year following the year in which the declaration of succession was filed.

Example: until 31 December 2029 for a declaration of succession drawn up in 2026

It may be useful to keep all documents relating to an estate on a permanent basis, in particular in anticipation of future successions.

In the absence of a declaration of succession (or, in the case of a declaration of succession, where subsequent searches are necessary), time limit for checking the declaration run to the end of the 6^e year after death. For example, until December 31, 2032 for a death in 2026.

Invoice

Examples: washing machine, TV, furniture

5 years from date of purchase

It may be useful to keep the invoice longer. Indeed, in case of theft or loss, the invoice serves as proof if you want to claim compensation from your insurer.

Proof of purchase: delivery note, invoice, receipt.

Until the end of the warranty

To make play the legal guarantee of conformity, you must act within the 2 years following the delivery of the good.

To make play the legal guarantee of hidden defects, you must act within the 2 years following the discovery of the defect, without being able to exceed 20 years after the sale.

• Electricity bill
• Gas bill

5 years

The energy supplier has 2 years to claim payment.

Water bill

5 years

To claim a payment, your supplier has:

• 4 years if it is a public supplier
• 2 years if it's a private provider.

• Landline and mobile phone bill
• Internet bill

5 years

Proof of return of material (box).

Examples: receipt, acknowledgement of receipt, confirmation email.

5 years

Invoice related to minor work.

Example: Windows

5 years

The guarantee of the equipment settled during small works is 2 years from the receipt of the work. You can play this warranty during 2 years in case of defect or malfunction.

Invoice related to major works

• 10 years for the major work
• Shelf life of the dwelling for an invoice for construction, reconstruction, expansion or improvement work. For example, installation of a bathroom.

In the event of the sale of real estate, invoices for construction, reconstruction, expansion or improvement work are taken into account for the the calculation of the real estate capital gain, except in cases of exemption.

Certificate of sweeping

2 years

It may be useful to keep the certificates at least 5 years, as evidence in the event of sinister. Check the terms of your home insurance policy.

Annual maintenance certificate of a boiler

2 years

It may be useful to keep the certificates at least 5 yearsor even throughout the lifetime of the boiler, as evidence in the event of sinister. Check the terms of your home insurance policy.

Energy Performance Diagnostic (EPD)

10 years for a DPE carried out from 1^er July 2021

The period of validity of real estate diagnostics (asbestos, gas, electricity…) is variable.

Deed of sale (also called title deed)

Permanent

If necessary, you can request a copy from the notary holder of the minute.

• Proof of payment of condominium fees
• Mappings with the trustee
• Minutes (minutes) of general meeting (GA) of co-ownership

5 years

The trustee must offer online access to the minutes of the last 3 annual GAs that have been called to know accounts.

The time limit for challenging an AG decision is of 2 months from the notification minutes of meetings.

• Lease Agreement
• State of play
• Lease receipt

Rental duration + 3 years

This period applies to a dwelling rented as a principal residence empty or furnished.

The landlord has a 1 year time limit after the date agreed in the lease agreement to revise the rent.

Mail from rent review

Rental duration + 3 years

This period applies to a dwelling rented as a principal residence empty or furnished.

If the landlord did not make the annual rent review, he has 1 year to react.

Inventory of furniture for furnished rentals

Rental duration + 3 years

This period applies to a dwelling rented as a principal residence .

Proof of payment of personalized housing assistance (APL)

Until the end of your rights + 5 years

Moving contract

1 year

The time limit to act against a mover is 1 year if the contract includes a transport service.

Notification of a contravention

3 years from the date on which the decision became definitive

Notification of a offense

Example: speeding at least 50 km/h

6 years from the date on which the decision became definitive

Invoice: purchase, repair…

Shelf life of the vehicle

+ 2 years in the event of resale taking into account the guarantee of hidden defects

Driver's License Examination Certificate (CDCE)

Until receipt of the permit

The CRC is valid 4 months from the day of the examination.

Certificate of transfer of the vehicle

Shelf life of the vehicle

It may be useful for the buyer to keep this certificate as long as he keeps the vehicle, in case of dispute with the former owner.

Deed of civil status (full copy and extract)

Permanent

Some procedures require a recent civil status certificate.

Notice of payment of family allowances

5 years

You have 2 years to take action if you have not received the right amount.

The Caf: titleContent a also 2 years to be reimbursed for an overpayment. This period increases to 5 years in case of fraud on your part.

Disability card of a child

Until the liquidation of the pension

Assuming the burden of a disabled child allows to receive a mark-up. You must therefore keep all the supporting documents.

Judgment of divorce, judgment of adoption

Permanent

In case of loss, you can request a copy from the court.

Act of recognition of a child

Permanent

You can obtain a copy (in full) of the act of recognition from the town hall that drew up the act.

Marriage contract: documents relating to property brought or acquired at the time of marriage by donation or bequests

Permanent

In case of loss of the marriage contract, you must contact the notary who established it.

Civil partnership Agreement

Permanent

The town hall does not keep a copy of the Civil partnership agreement.

Family booklet

Permanent

In case of loss, one duplicate can be obtained at the town hall.

Invoice: canteen, daycare, extracurricular activities, transport, school supplies…

5 years

The time limit for contesting an invoice is sometimes indicated on the invoice: between 2 months and 2 years depending on whether the invoice is issued by a public or private body.

Primary, middle and high school booklet (LSL)

Until the end of the studies

The school booklet is digital and can be viewed online and downloaded.

Proof of scholarship or financial assistance

End of studies + 5 years

Certificate of schooling

End of studies + 5 years

Transcript of Graduate Studies

Permanent

Diploma

Permanent

In case of loss, you can request a proof of passing the exam.

Sickness and maternity insurance reimbursement statement

2 years

Overpayment recovery time

The time limit is 5 years in the event of fraud or misrepresentation.

• Mutual insurance card
• Reimbursement statement

Variable by organization

Refer to the deadlines stipulated in the contract

Invoice from a public hospital

4 years

Invoice from a private health facility

2 years

Prescription

1 year

(except for glasses of a person 16 years of age or older, and hearing aids)

• 1 year for the delivery of glasses to a person under 16 years of age
• 5 years for the delivery of glasses to a person between 16 and 42 years old
• 3 years for the supply of spectacles to a person aged 43 years or over
• No time limit for the delivery of hearing aids

Proof of payment of daily allowances

Up to liquidation of pension rights

• Vaccination record
• Blood Type Card
• Health record

Permanent

• Medical certificate
• Medical examination (e.g. X-ray)

Permanent

Documents useful in case of relapse or worsening of health condition

• Pay slip
• Employment contract
• Work Certificate

Until the liquidation of retirement

It may be useful to keep the pay slips after retirement for the calculation of the pension in the event of an occupational disease occurring to a pensioner.

Statement of daily allowances of sickness and maternity

Until the liquidation of retirement

Balance of any account

5 years

The time limit for contesting the amounts indicated on the balance of any account depends on your signature or the absence of your receipt signature.

France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) certificate

5 years

It may be useful to keep this document until the liquidation of retirement for the calculation of your pension rights.

Summary Statement of Employee Savings (PEE, Perco or PER)

Until the end of the contract + 5 years

Proof of payment of unemployment benefits

5 years

It may be useful to keep this document until the liquidation of retirement for the calculation of your pension rights.

• Pension Payment Form
• Pension voucher

Permanent

This document may be useful for calculating your spousal pension entitlements.

Employee's pay slip: duplicate paper or electronic form

5 years

Employment contract of the employee

5 years from the end of the employment contract

Document on social security contributions

3 years

In the event of control by the tax authorities

Accounting for employee hours

3 years

In case of dispute

Declaration of use to the primary health insurance fund

5 years

Proof to be produced to benefit from the tax credit for the employment of an employee at home

Until the end of the 3^e year following the year for which the tax is due

This period corresponds to right to take back administration.

Balance of any account

3 years

Fighter's Card

Permanent

Military booklet

Permanent

Certification of services performed or signaling status of services

Permanent

The certificate proves that the military or similar services have been performed.

Pension or social security organizations can claim it from you.