Cross-Border Move: Key Steps

Are you a cross-border worker and planning to move, or considering doing so, but unsure who to contact or which steps to take?

When you are about to move, several organizations must be informed. Here is a clear overview of the administrations and contacts to reach out to in order to secure your situation and anticipate the consequences of this change.

Attention: a change of residence can indeed affect your social protection, taxation, and, where applicable, the maintenance of your cross-border worker status. It is therefore essential to gather accurate information before finalizing your plans.

In terms of procedures, note that in France it is possible to declare your change of address online in a single operation with multiple organizations (CPAM, tax authorities, EDF, France Travail, CAF, etc.) via the official website: Log in | Service Public

Your employer

You must inform your employer of your change of address and country of residence. If you are a public servant, you will need to notify your administration.

Departure declaration with your municipality of residence

Some countries require individuals who are moving to declare their departure to their municipality of residence. This is notably the case in Luxembourg and Belgium, where this change must be reported no later than the day before departure. In Germany, anyone leaving their residence without immediately taking up a new one must deregister with the registration authority within two weeks of leaving. This procedure can be completed one week before departure.

In all cases, it is strongly recommended to contact the municipal administration of the country you are planning to leave to understand the applicable procedures.

Arrival declaration with the municipality

You must register at the municipality of your new residence within a specified period after your arrival: in Germany, registration must be completed no later than two weeks after moving in at the local registration office. In Belgium and Luxembourg, this period is reduced to eight days.

Registration in the population register is mandatory and requires that you have an actual residence in the municipality.

Contact the tax authorities

It is important to notify your change of tax residence to the tax authority of your former country as well as that of your new country, so that your situation is correctly taken into account for your future tax returns. Furthermore, this change could also affect which country has the right to tax your income.

Here are the contacts for the various tax authorities:

French tax authority: Contact and appointment | impots.gouv.fr
Luxembourg – Administration des contributions directes: Contact – Individuals — Administration des contributions directes – Luxembourg
Belgium – Federal Public Service Finance: Contact SPF Finances | Assistance for individuals
Germany – Finanzämter: BZSt – Find your local tax office

Health insurance funds

Social security institutions must also be informed of your change of address. Be sure to notify your health insurance fund before your move, and then confirm your new situation after you have settled in.

Family allowance funds

Depending on your family situation, it may also be necessary to contact the family allowance funds in the different countries to determine which institution will be responsible for paying benefits.