Government Necessities

Residency, Driving Licences, Vehicle Registration, Insurance and Tax

To begin life in France, certain essential administrative tasks must be completed. Below is a practical guide covering everything from residency permits to voting, including key contacts and official resources.

Residency & Immigration

Sous-Préfecture – Apt
Handles French Residency Permits (Carte de Séjour), driving licences, vehicle registration, and more.
Address: Place Gabriel Péri, 84400 Apt
Tel: 04 90 04 82 00
Website: www.vaucluse.gouv.fr

Maison France Services – Apt
Supports residents with navigating public services such as health insurance, retirement, legal aid, and more.
Address: 237 Quai des Entreprises, Zone d’Activité Les Bourguignons, 84400 Apt
Tel: 04 90 74 00 41
Email: mfs.apt@cove84.fr

Local Town Halls (Mairies)

Your local mairie can assist with voter registration, civil status records, certificates of residence, and other municipal formalities.

Mairie d’Apt
Place Gabriel Péri, 84400 Apt
Tel: 04 90 74 19 00
www.apt.fr

Mairie de Goult
Place de la Liberté, 84220 Goult
Tel: 04 90 72 20 66
Email: mairie.goult@wanadoo.fr

Mairie de Bonnieux
Place de la Liberté, 84480 Bonnieux
Tel: 04 90 75 80 06
Email: mairie.bonnieux@wanadoo.fr

Mairie de Saignon
Place de la Mairie, 84400 Saignon
Tel: 04 90 74 06 34

Driving Licence & Vehicle Registration

Driving licence exchanges and vehicle registration are now handled online via the Agence nationale des titres sécurisés (ANTS).
Website: www.ants.gouv.fr
For vehicle registration: immatriculation.ants.gouv.fr
Make sure scanned documents are high-quality and complete.

If you need in-person help, contact Maison France Services in Apt (Tel: 04 90 74 00 41, Email: mfs.apt@cove84.fr).

Insurance Requirements

Assurance Habitation (Home Insurance) is legally required by landlords before tenants can occupy a property. Most policies include damage, liability, and theft cover.
Assurance Auto (Car Insurance) is mandatory for all drivers. You can choose from basic third-party coverage to fully comprehensive packages.
Providers include MAIF, Macif, Allianz, AXA, and many local agencies.

Taxation and Financial Administration

Service des Impôts des Particuliers – Apt
Handles income and property taxes. Residents must register to receive a tax number and submit annual declarations.
Address: 51 Rue de la Sous-Préfecture, 84400 Apt
Tel: 04 90 04 84 00
Website: www.impots.gouv.fr

Self-employed individuals must register with URSSAF and are subject to Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises (CFE), billed annually.
Website: www.autoentrepreneur.urssaf.fr

The Ministry of the Economy publishes detailed newsletters explaining current financial topics.
Newsletter archive and sign-up: lettres-infos.bercy.gouv.fr

FranceConnect allows access to multiple government platforms with a single login.
Website: franceconnect.gouv.fr

Legal Documentation & Notaries

A notaire is required for real estate transactions, marriage contracts, inheritance matters, and legal document certification.

Chambre des Notaires de Vaucluse
Website: www.chambre-vaucluse.notaires.fr

Marie Veré – English-speaking Notaire
Based in Ménerbes, Maître Marie Veré is one of only two notaires in the south of France licensed to conduct property transactions in English. She can also provide full translations of property-related documentation.
Tel: 04 90 72 20 07
Email: marie.vere@notaires.fr

Voting & Civic Participation

Permanent residents and EU citizens may vote in municipal and European elections. Registration is managed through your local mairie and must be completed well before election dates. Bring photo ID and proof of residence.

Local government information such as water restrictions, public health notices, and foreign resident services is also available on the Préfecture website:
www.vaucluse.gouv.fr

Public Health & Official Resources

Santé Publique France
This national site offers up-to-date public health data.
Website: santepubliquefrance.fr

Service Public
The official website of the French government provides guides and tools for all administrative procedures.
Website: www.service-public.fr

Useful Links and Contacts