Prefecture appointment wait-time comparator by department
How long does it take to get a prefecture appointment in France? The wait varies a lot from one department to another, especially for residence-permit (titre de séjour) applications. This comparator gives an indicative order of magnitude of the average wait per prefecture, with a colour code for the level of pressure. Filter, sort and spot the most congested prefectures.
Indicative estimates
The figures shown are indicative estimates meant as an order of magnitude for 2026. They change over time depending on the counters, the procedures and the period. They are not live data and do not replace checking your prefecture's own website.
| Dept | Prefecture | Indicative average wait ↓ | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93 | Bobigny | ~20 weeks | Very high |
| 75 | Paris | ~16 weeks | Very high |
| 94 | Créteil | ~15 weeks | Very high |
| 92 | Nanterre | ~14 weeks | Very high |
| 13 | Marseille | ~14 weeks | Very high |
| 95 | Cergy | ~13 weeks | High |
| 69 | Lyon | ~13 weeks | High |
| 06 | Nice | ~13 weeks | High |
| 91 | Évry-Courcouronnes | ~12 weeks | High |
| 77 | Melun | ~12 weeks | High |
| 31 | Toulouse | ~12 weeks | High |
| 78 | Versailles | ~11 weeks | High |
| 59 | Lille | ~11 weeks | High |
| 34 | Montpellier | ~11 weeks | High |
| 33 | Bordeaux | ~10 weeks | High |
| 67 | Strasbourg | ~10 weeks | High |
| 83 | Toulon | ~10 weeks | High |
| 44 | Nantes | ~9 weeks | Medium |
| 38 | Grenoble | ~9 weeks | Medium |
| 974 | Saint-Denis (La Réunion) | ~9 weeks | Medium |
| 35 | Rennes | ~8 weeks | Medium |
| 76 | Rouen | ~8 weeks | Medium |
| 57 | Metz | ~7 weeks | Medium |
| 54 | Nancy | ~7 weeks | Medium |
| 21 | Dijon | ~6 weeks | Medium |
| 49 | Angers | ~6 weeks | Medium |
| 45 | Orléans | ~6 weeks | Medium |
| 37 | Tours | ~6 weeks | Medium |
| 68 | Colmar | ~6 weeks | Medium |
| 14 | Caen | ~6 weeks | Medium |
| 51 | Châlons-en-Champagne | ~5 weeks | Low |
| 63 | Clermont-Ferrand | ~5 weeks | Low |
| 25 | Besançon | ~5 weeks | Low |
| 86 | Poitiers | ~4 weeks | Low |
| 87 | Limoges | ~4 weeks | Low |
| 29 | Quimper | ~4 weeks | Low |
36 prefecture(s) shown of 36.
Wait too long in your department?
Where waits are long, slots free up regularly after cancellations. Our service continuously monitors your prefecture's website and alerts you by email and SMS as soon as an appointment opens up, so you no longer have to refresh the page for weeks.
Set up an appointment alertFrequently asked questions
What is the average wait for a prefecture appointment?
The wait depends heavily on the department and the procedure. In the Paris region and large metropolitan areas, the wait for a residence-permit appointment can reach several months, while it often stays a few weeks in less populated departments. The figures in this comparator are indicative estimates.
Why do wait times vary so much between departments?
The volume of applications, the number of counters, prefecture staffing and the share of online procedures all affect the wait. Paris-region prefectures (Paris, Bobigny, Nanterre, Créteil) are among the most congested, often with waits above three months.
Are these wait times official live data?
No. This comparator shows indicative estimates to give an order of magnitude. Real waits change constantly. To know exact availability you have to check your prefecture's booking module, which our monitoring service does for you automatically.
How do I get an appointment when no slot is available?
Even when the calendar shows full, slots free up after cancellations, often at unpredictable times. Our service monitors the prefecture continuously and notifies you by email and SMS as soon as a slot appears, greatly increasing your chances of securing an appointment quickly.
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