Guides on préfecture processes
Processing times, booking an appointment, required documents: our practical guides to prepare your administrative processes without surprises.
Articles
Foreign driving licences exchangeable in France: 2026 list
Eligible countries, conditions and the ANTS process for exchanging a foreign licence in France.
Read the article Residence permitFrench nationality declaration: who, how, timelines
Cases, conditions and steps for making a French nationality declaration.
Read the article Residence permitUnaccompanied minor turning 18: the residence permit steps
Possible permits, application timing and documents to prepare before turning 18.
Read the article Residence permitANEF, ANTS, France Titres: who handles what?
Who handles each process across ANEF, ANTS and France Titres.
Read the article Driving licenceDriving licence medical board: how long you really wait
An honest national overview of medical board waiting times.
Read the article NaturalisationFrench civics exam 2026: real price, who must take it, where
Price, eligibility, exemptions and registration for the 2026 civics exam.
Read the article NaturalisationFrench naturalisation 2026: a realistic timeline
A realistic timeline from filing to the naturalisation ceremony.
Read the article AppointmentsWhy préfecture slots disappear in seconds
How batch publication and demand make appointment slots disappear.
Read the article Residence permitRécépissé expired, file stuck on ANEF: what to do
What to do when a récépissé expires or an ANEF application gets stuck.
Read the article ProcessesSous-préfecture counter closed: what you can still do online
What remains available online when the sous-préfecture counter is closed.
Read the article Residence permitResidence permit appointment delays: what Perfecture observes by préfecture
Residence permit appointment delays observed over 90 days, with a transparent methodology.
Read the article Driving licenceDriving licence medical board: real waiting times and how to get an appointment sooner
Waiting times vary widely by department. Prepare the right documents and be ready when the next slot opens.
Read the article AppointmentsPréfecture appointment alerts: an honest comparison of the tools available in 2026
Pricing, coverage, notifications, and widgets: practical criteria for comparing four alert services in 2026.
Read the article AppointmentsNo appointment slot available at the préfecture: what to do?
Why slots disappear within seconds, and the concrete levers that actually help you land one anyway.
Read the article Driving licenceDriving licence medical board: processing times, appointments, and required documents
Who has to take the medical exam, how to get an appointment, and what documents to prepare beforehand.
Read the article Residence permitRenewing your residence permit: when to apply and what to do if it's delayed
The right timing to file your renewal application, and what to do if it's dragging on.
Read the article Residence permitRécépissé (residence permit receipt): validity, rights, and renewal
This temporary document grants real rights, here's which ones, and how to renew it in time.
Read the article ProcessesHow long the préfecture takes to respond after filing: what to expect
What happens between filing your application and receiving your permit, and when silence should worry you.
Read the article ProcessesVehicle registration and more: the processes that no longer go through the préfecture
Many processes people attribute to "the préfecture" are actually handled online, elsewhere. Here's the rundown.
Read the article AppointmentsReselling préfecture appointments: why it's illegal, risky, and the free alternative
A free public service resold for up to 800 € on private groups: why it's illegal, and how to get a slot without paying.
Read the article ProcessesPréfecture, sous-préfecture, one-stop desk: what's the difference and where to go?
Préfecture, sous-préfecture, one-stop desk: who handles what, and how to find the right one.
Read the article Identity documentsFrench national ID card: processing times and booking a town hall appointment
Town hall appointments, ANTS manufacturing, required documents: a realistic timeline to get or renew your French ID card.
Read the article Identity documentsFrench passport renewal: real processing times and booking a town hall appointment
Appointment times, ANTS manufacturing, revenue stamp and special cases: everything to know before renewing your passport.
Read the article Residence permitResidence permit refusal: administrative appeals, deadlines and how to contest
Recours gracieux, recours hiérarchique, court appeal and OQTF: the ways to contest a residence permit refusal and their deadlines.
Read the article Residence permitANEF: how to book an appointment and track your application
Create your account, book an appointment, track your application and unblock a stuck file: the complete ANEF guide.
Read the article Driving licenceDriving licence: préfecture processing times by situation (recovery, exchange, suspension)
Recovery after suspension, foreign licence exchange, loss or theft: the real processing times at the préfecture and ANTS by situation.
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