Faced an issue like theft, fraud, online scams, or harassment in France? As an international student, knowing how to file a police complaint properly can protect your rights and bring peace of mind. This step-by-step guide helps you understand your options—whether in person, online, or by post—along with important deadlines and contact resources.
In France, reporting an offence is a right. Whether you're dealing with stolen items, discrimination, online fraud, or physical assault, filing a police report (plainte) ensures your case is legally documented and investigated.
🧭 Options to File a Police Complaint in France
✅ Option A: File a Police Complaint In-Person
Visit any police station (commissariat) or gendarmerie near you. You’re free to choose the location.
What to bring?
What you’ll receive:
Additional Info:
🗂️ You can also pre-file a complaint online via Pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr. This option is valid only if the offender is unknown and the offence relates to theft, fraud, or discrimination. You'll still need to visit the station later to sign the complaint.
France provides a secure platform called THESEE, accessible through FranceConnect.
You can report the following cybercrimes:
Important:
🔗 File online: service-public.fr/THESEE
Where to send?
Mail your written complaint to the public prosecutor (Procureur de la République) at the Judicial Court (Tribunal Judiciaire) either:
Include in your letter:
📝 Use templates from: Service-public.fr
Filing a complaint within the time limit (délai de prescription) is essential. The countdown usually begins on the day the offence occurred.
General Limitation Periods:
Exceptions:
📌 Tip: If unsure, still file. The prosecutor decides if your case is admissible.
📍 Find the Nearest Police Station
Use this government tool to locate the closest police station or gendarmerie based on your address or postal code:
🔗 Trouver mon commissariat
Not ready to file in person? Speak anonymously to a police officer in over 130 languages, including English, Hindi, and Tamil.
If you are unsure how to proceed:
📩 Contact a student welfare association
🧑⚖️ Request legal aid (aide juridictionnelle) if you can’t afford a lawyer
🔎 Use victimes.justice.fr for victim assistance
🛡️ Final Words: Take Action & Know Your Rights
France offers multiple, accessible ways to report crimes—even if you’re a non-French speaker or not a permanent resident. Don’t hesitate to file a complaint if your rights have been violated. As an international student, you're protected under French law just like any other resident.
At EDUXskills, we support international students with:
👉 Contact us today for 1:1 guidance! www.eduxskills.com
