Moroccan visa delay leaves Arles doctor’s belongings at risk of being removed
While waiting in Morocco for a visa to return to France, a doctor recruited by Arles hospital learned that his accommodation was to be cleared out. He urgently appealed to the Marseille administrative court to protect his personal belongings and obtain more time.
Employed as a resident doctor at Arles Hospital from May 3 to November 1, 2026, the physician was provided with a mobile home free of charge on the hospital’s residents’ premises. He had left the hospital in June, leaving his belongings in the accommodation. After several exchanges with management, he was informed that the premises would be vacated from October 19 to make room for other doctors.
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The physician was then in Morocco, waiting for a visa to return to France. He said he could be there on November 2 to collect his personal belongings himself and return the mobile home. In response to the hospital’s decision, he applied to the Marseille administrative court on October 19 and 20.
In his emergency application, the doctor asked for any intervention in his accommodation to be suspended through November 2 inclusive. He also requested guarantees that his belongings would be kept safe. He wanted to take part in the hearing by videoconference from Morocco, but the judge rejected the request.
Hospital ordered to wait before clearing the accommodation
In its ruling of October 21, 2026, the judge hearing the urgent application noted that the hospital had planned to remove the doctor’s belongings itself. The hospital had not begun any legal eviction proceedings and had provided no evidence of imminent danger requiring immediate action.
The judge found that the operation would constitute a manifestly unlawful infringement of the physician’s property rights. Arles Hospital, which had filed no defence brief, was also absent from the hearing.
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The court ultimately ordered the hospital to wait until November 2 inclusive. This gave the doctor the time he had requested to return from Morocco and clear out the mobile home himself. From November 3, the hospital is authorized to remove any belongings left behind if the physician has not fulfilled his commitment. The items must then be placed in a secure location and returned to the doctor or a person he has authorized, upon signature and on request.
