France Services offers help with paperwork

THE France Services network offers help and advice on French paperwork and administration, covering things such as healthcare, tax payments, registering vehicles and finding a job.

The government backed initiative provides more than 2,300 offices across France, promising local people that everyone can reach a France Services location within 30 minutes.

Trained staff will be available to offer advice, but also online services will be available, which again staff will be able to help guide you through, especially as more services seem to be based on the internet.

Map of France Services offices

An online map is available to help you find a service close to you, start by entering your post code and commune, from there you can narrow down a location.

Local to me I was able to find an office about 15 minutes drive away, with details of the opening times, an exact location on the map and a telephone number and email address I could use to contact them.

France Services advice

The idea behind the initiative is that the staff behind the counter of each France Services office are able to handle initial enquiries related to the main French public bodies.

So you can get advice on declaring your taxes, driving licence or identity card, help with job hunting, reimbursement of health charges, questions about retirement and childcare and education.

If your questions are particularly complicated or involved then staff are able to contact services directly and speak to staff with detailed experience and advice.

You can walk in to the offices without an appointment, but I'd make sure you have as much relevant paperwork as possible, including a recent tax return as this is often used for eligibility questions, so that you don't have to return at a later date.

France Services in the Dordogne

The opening of five new France Services offices was recently announced by the authorities in the Dordogne, bringing the total in the département to 35.

The new offices include Montpon-Ménestérol and Thiviers, with the existing France Services offices being available in towns and villages such as Mnnpazier, Lalinde, Le Bugue, Nontron and Brantôme.