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 failure to fulfill the duty to provide information...) 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, shall be 5 years from the event giving rise to it.

The time limit for taking action following an event that has caused bodily harm is 10 years from the date of consolidation of the original or aggravated damage.

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

Date of document + 2 years

Automotive information statement

Permanent

The statement of information 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, PEL, booklet A…)

5 years from the closing of the account

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

5 years from the date of the payment transaction recorded on 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 statement of account 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 for 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
• Income Tax Notice
• Supporting documents used. For example, proof (invoice, restaurant note, etc.) of actual costs

Until 31 December of the 2^e year following the year of assessment the tax (indicated on the tax notice).

Example: until December 31, 2028 for income tax assessed in 2026.

The deadline indicated is complaint period.

The tax administration also has a recovery time to claim a tax supplement for a previous year, for example if they made a mistake. The recovery time varies according to your situation.

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 31 December of the year following that of assessment the tax (indicated on the tax notice).

Example: until 31 December 2027 for a tax assessed in 2026.

The deadline indicated is complaint period.

The tax administration also has a recovery time to claim a tax supplement for a previous year. This period is 3 years if you have benefited from an exemption, relief or a abatement which are subsequently rectified.

Example: until 31 December 2029 for an assessment in 2026.

Real estate wealth tax

Declaration, tax notice, supporting documents

Until 31 December of the 2^e year following the year of assessment the tax (indicated on the tax notice).

Example: until December 31, 2028 for the tax assessed in 2026.

The deadline indicated is complaint period.

The tax administration also has a recovery time to claim a tax supplement for a previous year. This period is 6 years in the case of a failure to report (or, in the case of a report, 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 documents

Until 31 December 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 permanently, in particular in anticipation of future successions.

The deadline indicated is time limit for the tax authorities to check . If the declaration has not been filed, or, in the case of a declaration of succession, where further investigation is necessary, the tax authority may act until 31 December of the 6th^e year following the year of death.

Invoice

Examples: washing machine, TV, furniture

5 years from the 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, but not exceeding 20 years after the sale.

• Electricity bill
• Gas bill

5 years

The energy supplier has 2 years to claim a payment.

Water bill

5 years

To claim a payment, your provider 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

Small works bill.

Example: Windows

5 years

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

Invoice for large works

• 10 years for the structural work
• Shelf life of the dwelling for an invoice for building, reconstruction, expansion or upgrading works. For example, installation of a bathroom.

In the event of the sale of real estate, invoices for building, reconstruction, expansion or upgrading works are taken into account for 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.

Certificate of annual maintenance of a boiler

2 years

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

Energy Performance Diagnosis (EPD)

10 years for a DPE performed from 1^er July 2021

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

Deed of sale (also called title to property)

Permanent

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

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

5 years

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

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

• Lease Agreement
• State of play
• Lease Receipt

Rental duration + 3 years

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

The landlord has a 1 year delay 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 primary residence empty or furnished.

If the landlord has not done 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 primary residence .

Proof of payment of personalized housing support (APL)

Until the end of your rights + 5 years

Moving contract

1 year

The time limit for taking action 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 of 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 retirement is liquidated

Taking care of a disabled child allows you to receive a markup. 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 partnerships Agreement

Permanent

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

Family booklet

Permanent

In case of loss, theft or deterioration, 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

Graduate transcript

Permanent

Diploma

Permanent

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

Prescription

1 year

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

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

Care Sheet

2 years

For reimbursement in the event of illness, the 2-year period starts on the date of treatment and expires at the end of the same calendar quarter, 2 years later.

For a refund in case of maternity, the period of 2 years starts on the day of the 1st^re medical observation of pregnancy.

One care sheet of an amount not exceeding €100 transmitted via the application Ameli account , on smartphone, must be kept for 27 months. 

Sickness and maternity insurance reimbursement statement

2 years

Overpayment recovery time

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

• Mutual insurance card
• Refund statement

Variable by organization

Refer to the deadlines provided in the contract

Invoice from a public hospital

4 years

Invoice from a private health facility

2 years

Proof of payment of daily allowances

Up to liquidation 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 the state of health

• 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.

Attestation France Travail (formerly Job center)

5 years

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

Summary Statement of Employee Savings (PEES, Perco or )

Until contract closure + 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 entitlements.

• Payment of retirement pension
• Pension voucher

Permanent

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

Employee's pay slip: double-printed or in 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 case of control of the tax administration

Accounting for employee hours

3 years

In case of dispute

Declaration of accident at work with 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 over administration.

Balance of any account

3 years

Fighter's card

Permanent

Military booklet

Permanent

Certification of services performed or service signage

Permanent

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

Pension or social security organizations can claim it from you.