[RandomLensman]

Compared to the UK where you need to have some utility bills or bank statements as proof of an address, having an ID card with an address is a lot easier in practice.

But, yes, different societies have different approaches there and they are kind of designed around it.

[mytailorisrich]

> Compared to the UK where you need to have some utility bills or bank statements as proof of an address, having an ID card with an address is a lot easier in practice.

Well, no.

You already have bills in your name, so there is nothing to do.

On the other hand, regarding ID cards (in France): First there is no obligation to keep the address on it up-to-date (so why is there even an address on it?). Second, if you do want the address to be up-to-date then you need to follow the administrative procedure to get a new ID card, which involves providing... a proof of address in the form of an utility bill!

[RandomLensman]

So France is different from Germany where you can get the address updated and you are supposed to do that. And proof of address is not a utility bill there, but either a form from your landlord or land register.

[mytailorisrich]

Same conclusion: You still have bills, tax bills, etc, so there is still no need for anything else if you wanted to keep things as simple as necessary.

> And proof of address is not a utility bill there, but either a form from your landlord or land register.

Because you've decided to do that, not because there is a practical requirement, which is my point.

[RandomLensman]

Not really, as you still need to show a passport that you and the bills go together (which is still conjecture, to be honest, if the name is common). Why have two things?

Edit: because the decision was to have a strong ID system, so when people show an ID with an address the confidence is high in that being correct.