Do you have to move? Above all, don't forget to forward your mail. In fact, tracking your mail is essential to ensure the continuity of your correspondence, but also to avoid more serious problems.
Take out a mail forwarding contract, ask a loved one to look after your mail, temporary or permanent service, etc. We explain the options, the procedures, and the costs.
Summary
Why forward your mail after moving? The risks.
When changing your address, not forwarding your mail may result in delays in receiving documents (administrative documents, packages, etc.) but also greater risks:
- Loss of official documents (tax notice, registration document, bank correspondence),
- Risk ofidentity theft if your mail is consulted by a third party,
- Delay in processing your subscriptions and services (insurance, electricity, gas).
It is therefore recommended to take all precautions to forward your mail andavoid possible inconveniences whether for a temporary or permanent transfer
Solutions for forwarding your mail
Several solutions are available to you to forward your mail to your new postal address. Here they are:
???? La Poste’s forwarding service
La Poste offers several forwarding forms to ensure the transmission of your mail to your new address in mainland France or abroad.
Forwarding options available:
- National temporary forwarding : from 15 days to 12 months for a temporary stay
- Final national reshipment : for a permanent transfer to new accommodation
- Temporary or permanent international forwarding : for moving abroad
- Mail Guard : storage in post office in case of temporary absence
How to sign up for a reshipment contract?
The procedures are mainly done online on the La Poste website, but you can opt for a subscription in post office
The service activation time is generally between 1 day and 1 month depending on the option chosen
How much does mail forwarding cost in 2025?
Prices vary depending on duration and destination. Here is a summary table of the main La Poste offers :
| Service | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Final national reshipment | 6 months | 49,90 € |
| Final national reshipment | 12 months | 81,90 € |
| Permanent international reshipment | 6 months | 124 € |
| Permanent international reshipment | 12 months | 212 € |
| National temporary forwarding | From 15 days to 1 month | 34,90 € |
| National temporary forwarding | From 1 to 6 months | 47,90 € |
| National temporary forwarding | From 6 to 12 months | 79,90 € |
| International temporary forwarding | From 15 days to 1 month | 56 € |
| International temporary forwarding | From 1 to 6 months | 125 € |
| International temporary forwarding | From 6 to 12 months | 202 € |
| Temporary forwarding Poste resteme | From 15 days to 1 month | 34,90 € |
| Temporary forwarding Poste resteme | From 1 to 3 months | 47,90 € |
To note :
- For short periods (1 month), La Poste also offers to keep your mail, for 32 euros.
- Receive your mail in the post office at your vacation spot (or place of stay), for 15 days to 3 months with the Poste Restante service.
Effects of temporary reshipment / permanent reshipment
- Mail forwarded only during the chosen period (15 days to 12 months)
- Official address unchanged : you legally keep your original address
- All mail is forwarded, except packages and shipments with specific tracking
- Ideal for temporary absences, but requires a new request if extension
???? Note : In both cases, certain sensitive mail (registered mail, large parcels, certain administrative letters) may not be resent and must be collected at the old address or via another service.
Some offers like moving pack include additional services, such as:
- Online alerts and support to report the change of address to various organizations
- Partner discounts on services related to moving (energy, internet, insurance)
- Access to a customer area to manage forwarding options and track your mail
What documents should I provide to forward my mail?
To subscribe to a reshipping service with La Poste, you must present certain supporting documents depending on your situation:
- Valid identity document (identity card, passport, residence permit)
- Recent proof of address (electricity, gas, internet bill, rent receipt, tax notice)
- Cerfa form in case of specific request
???? If the request is made by a third party, a written power of attorney and copy of the applicant's identity document are mandatory.
Special cases
Businesses and professionals
- Kbis extract less than 3 months old
- Proof of identity of the legal representative
- Application on company letterhead with stamp and signature
Moving abroad
- Proof of new domicile abroad (rental contract, invoice from a local supplier)
- Proof of residence in France before departure
- Specific form for final international reshipment
More advice on moving abroad here
???? Other mail tracking solutions
If (really) you do not want to use La Poste's forwarding services, several alternatives exist to ensure the continuity of your mail after a move or in the event of a prolonged absence.
Private forwarding services
Specialized companies offer personalized mail forwarding solutions suitable for individuals and professionals.
- Flexible forwarding : possibility to choose the frequency and destination
- Mail scanning : some services scan and send your letters by email
- Remote management : monitoring and modification of options via an online customer area
A few names, each with its own services and price: Mail Boxes Etc., EasyPost, Direct Mail Solutions, PostScan Mail.
Sending mail by relatives
If you have a friend or family member remaining at your old address, you can organize a manually sending your mail.
It is an economical solution because it is free, but which requires organization, ideal for temporary stays (studies, travel, professional missions). It also offers the ability to group mail and send it in batches (think about the forwarding budget... the person is already doing you a favor, if you can avoid paying for the sending of YOUR mail...)
???? Consider giving a proxy to the person you trust so that they can collect your registered letters from La Poste.
???? Which organizations should I inform of my change of address?
Here is a summary table of the organizations to be informed of a change of address, with the documents to provide:
| Category | Organizations to be informed | Documents/Information to be provided |
|---|---|---|
| Administration and public services | – Taxes (DGFIP) | – Proof of address |
| – Family Allowance Fund (CAF) | – New rental agreement or utility bill | |
| – Social Security (CPAM, MSA) | – Identity card or family record book | |
| – Employment center | – Notice of change of address | |
| – Registration document (SIV) | – Registration document and transfer certificate (if applicable) | |
| – Civil status services (change of address for voting, electoral card, etc.) | – Proof of identity and address | |
| Banks and insurance | – Bank(s) (couriers, bank accounts, credit cards, loans) | – Proof of address |
| – Insurance (home, car, health, life, etc.) | – New rental contract, electricity bill or other | |
| – Foresight and savings | – Banking statement or contract number | |
| Subscriptions and Service Providers | – Supplier of electricity, gas, water | – Contract number or customer reference |
| – Internet access provider (box, fiber, etc.) | – Customer number, service invoice | |
| – Telephony (mobile and landline) | – Customer number, invoice | |
| – Subscriptions (magazines, newspapers, etc.) | – Subscription reference | |
| – Transport services (metro subscriptions, buses, etc.) | – Subscription number and contact details | |
| – Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.) | – Email address and account reference | |
| Other organizations | – Employer (if necessary) | – Newsletter, copy of home address |
| – Credit organizations or other creditors | – Credit contract information | |
| – Friendship, clubs or associations | – Updated contact information | |
| Lessors | Service of Storage box rental | – Newsletter, copy of home address |
If you have many steps to take, some banks offer a service which will save you a lot of time notifying the various organizations directly on your behalf of your change of address, which is still very practical. Since banks have access to your accounts, they can easily identify the organizations that pay or withdraw money from you, and therefore contact them.
If you have some time to manage sending receipts, use the change of address service online from www.service-public.fr to prevent many organisms in a single operation.
???? Limitations and termination of the forwarding service
Reshipment Service Limitations
Geographical areas : Forwarding is often limited to a specific territory (nationally or internationally, depending on the contract).
Maximum duration : The maximum duration of mail forwarding is generally 1 year for temporary reshipment. Final reshipment can only be requested under certain conditions, such as a permanent change of address.
Types of mail concerned : Forwarding mainly concerns standard mail (letters, parcels, registered mail). Be careful to check that the services subscribed to include the forwarding of registered letters or large parcels.
Termination and modification of the service reshipment
- Termination : Mail forwarding can generally be terminated at any time, but 30 days' notice 15 to 30 days is often required. Depending on the service provider, termination may result in fees.
- Edit : Modification of the service (change of the new address or dates) is possible, but it may require a notice period (often 5 to 10 days). Some services allow you to change forwarding online or by phone.
What to do if there is a problem with forwarding?
- Contact customer service : In the event of non-receipt of mail or problems with forwarding, it is advisable to quickly contact the customer service of the service provider (La Poste, or other forwarding company). It is possible to make a claim. The claim time frame varies, but is generally 5 to 10 days after the scheduled delivery date.
- Mail tracking : If the mail does not arrive, it is possible to make a follow up via the tracking number (if available) or by requesting further investigation from customer service.
- Registered letter : In the event of an unresolved dispute, a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt can be sent to report the problem officially.
???? Other steps to take in the event of a change of address
Beyond your change of address and having thought about notifying the latter's organizations, a move also entails certain additional procedures
Updating official documents :
- Registration certificate (registration certificate) : You must update your address on your registration document within 1 month after your move. This can be done online on the website of the National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS).
- Electoral map : If you move to another municipality, you will need to update your address with the town hall to be registered on the electoral lists of your new municipality.
- Identity card and passport : No legal obligation to update the address on these documents, but it can be useful for certain administrative procedures.
Redirection of packages and subscriptions :
- Subscriptions : Don’t forget to update your address for all your subscriptions (newspapers, magazines, book boxes, etc.). Contact the service providers to change the delivery address of your online subscriptions.
- E-commerce sites : Remember to update your address on all your e-commerce site accounts like Amazon, eBay, etc. to avoid sending to the old address.
There you are, you are now informed of the solutions and procedures following your change of address! So no more excuses for not receiving your mail (and your invoices, etc.) in the event of a move.
