Get a Free Accommodation Certificate in Switzerland

The accommodation certificate is an official document issued by a host to a person staying with them free of charge. It is required for many administrative procedures in France: residence permit, visa, university enrollment, opening a bank account, CAF, etc.

Definition and Purpose

The Accommodation Certificate (or Certificate of Accommodation) is a written document in which a person (the host) certifies under oath that they are providing free lodging to another person at their residence. There is no mandatory official form for this, except in certain specific cases (short-stay visa).

Situations in which it is required

• Application for or renewal of a residence permit at the prefecture
• Application for a Schengen or long-stay visa
• Enrollment in a university or school
• Opening a bank account
• Application for social assistance (CAF, APL)

Method 1: Write it yourself on plain paper (free)

The simplest method. The host writes a handwritten or typed letter, signed and dated. No specific form is required for most procedures.

Required information

• Last name, first name, date and place of birth of the host
• Full home address
• Last name, first name, date and place of birth of the person being accommodated
• Duration of accommodation (specific dates)
• Handwritten signature of the host with date

Documents to attach

• Copy of the host’s ID (valid national ID card or passport)
• Proof of residence dated within the last 3 months: utility bill (electricity/gas), rent receipt, property tax notice

Method 2: Cerfa Form No. 10798 (for visas)

For short-stay visas (Schengen visa, tourist visa), the consulate may require Cerfa Form No. 10798*03. This document must be validated by the town hall of the host’s place of residence.

Validation procedure at the town hall

1. The host fills out the Cerfa 10798 form (available at city hall or on service-public.fr)
2. They go to their local city hall with the form, their ID, and proof of address
3. They pay a validation fee via a revenue stamp (€30 per certificate)
4. The town hall stamps and issues the validated accommodation certificate within a few days

Difference from the standard certificate

The accommodation certificate is specific to tourist visas. It places greater obligations on the host and includes information about their financial resources to ensure they can cover the visitor’s expenses if necessary.

Method 3: Digital certificate via France Connect

The service-public.fr portal offers downloadable templates and wizards to help you draft your administrative documents. The certificate can be completed online, printed, and signed. Some prefectures now accept digitized documents with an electronic signature.

Method 4: Certificate issued by the employer or institution

When housing is provided by a company (company housing) or a university (student residence), a letter on official letterhead is sufficient, including the SIRET number, the official stamp, and the signature of the authorized representative.

Method 5: Notarized certificate (exceptional cases)

Reserved for complex legal situations (inheritance, accommodation subject to a property agreement), the notarized version has greater legal weight but incurs fees (approximately €100 to €300).

Required documents depending on your situation

For a residence permit (prefecture)

• Accommodation certificate on plain paper, signed and dated
• Host’s ID (front and back copy)
• Proof of residence dated within the last 3 months
• If applicable: document proving family relationship (family record book, birth certificate)

For a visa application (consulate)

• Cerfa Form 10798 validated by the town hall (certificate of accommodation)
• Copy of the host’s passport
• Proof of sufficient financial resources for the host (tax notice, pay stubs)

For administrative registration (university, CAF)

• Simple statement on plain paper + proof of residence for the host

Validity and time limits

There is no legally mandated duration, but government agencies generally require a certificate issued within the last 3 months. For the Cerfa form, the duration indicated corresponds to the intended length of stay. It is advisable to renew the certificate for each new application to avoid rejection.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Missing signature and date: document is invalid without these elements.
2. Proof of residence that is too old: a recent document (less than 3 months old) is required.
3. Incomplete information: check each field (dates of birth, full address with ZIP code).
4. Confusing a certificate of accommodation with a certificate of hosting: different procedures and purposes.
5. Falsified certificate: constitutes the crime of forgery and use of forged documents, punishable by criminal prosecution.

Official sources and useful links

• Service-public.fr — Accommodation Certificate: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2026
• Service-public.fr — Cerfa 10798 Accommodation Certificate: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2182
• Your local town hall for validation of the accommodation certificate
• Your department’s prefecture for residence permits

Conclusion

Obtaining a free accommodation certificate in France is simple, provided you correctly identify the required document based on your situation. A simple written statement for most procedures, or the Cerfa 10798 form validated at city hall for visas: this guide provides everything you need to put together a valid and complete application.