Declaring a Move Abroad

If you plan to leave France to settle abroad or for an extended period, you must inform CAF, as most benefits require residence in France. The impact of this change may vary depending on the duration and destination.

This page explains how to make this declaration, what information to provide, and offers a ready-to-use letter template, plus a tool to automatically generate your personalized letter.

When should you write this letter?

• You plan to leave for an extended or permanent stay abroad;
• You want to know the impact of this change on your benefits;
• Your departure is temporary (less than 3 months) and you want to maintain your rights;
• You need to specify the exact departure date;
• You want to know the possible return procedures.

In all these cases, a written letter remains a reliable way to settle your situation before leaving.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and beneficiary number;
• Your expected departure date;
• Your destination and expected duration abroad;
• Whether the departure is final or temporary;
• Your new address abroad if known.

The more accurate this information is, the more you avoid any later administrative problem.

Official letter template

Important note: the letter sent to CAF must be written in French, as it is a French administration. Below is a template you can use as a basis.

[First name LAST NAME]
[Full address]
[Beneficiary number]

CAF of [Department]
[CAF address]

Written in [City], on [Date]

Subject: Declaration of departure abroad

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am informing you of my departure abroad, planned for [date], for a duration of [duration].

[...]

→ The complete letter, tailored precisely to your situation and ready to send, is generated automatically in 3 minutes using the tool above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my benefits stop immediately when I leave?

It depends on the duration of your absence and the benefit type, often after exceeding 3 months outside France.

Can I keep housing benefit for a short absence?

Yes, often for absences of less than two to three months, depending on conditions.

What if the departure is permanent?

You must close your CAF file and fully update your situation.

Do I need to declare even for a short departure (two weeks)?

Not necessarily for a very short absence, but it's advisable to check the exact conditions for each benefit.

How do I recover my rights upon returning to France?

You must declare your return and provide documents proving you've resumed residence in France.