For foreigners, relocating or retiring in France has been a cherished aspiration for an extended period; nevertheless, if you are not a citizen of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), which now encompasses British citizens following Brexit, obtaining permanent residency in France can be time-consuming.
The factors that determine your eligibility to become a resident in France are many, and achieving permanent residency through obtaining the Carte de Résident is a multi-step process with significant documentation requirements.
Here are the practical steps you need to take in order to obtain legal permanent residency in France.
How To Become a Permanent Resident in France
Be aware that obtaining permanent residency in France is a lengthy process, requiring at least three years and a substantial amount of paperwork regardless of your circumstances.
The steps remain largely constant, but the duration of time required, associated expenses and criteria for qualification differ depending on individual factors such as being a retiree or working under a skilled visa scheme, or being married to someone holding French citizenship.
The Main Steps to French Residency
#1 Long-Stay Visa Equivalent to a Residence Permit: There are various pathways to residency that rely on your individual circumstances, but obtaining a long-stay visa is the initial step for all. Irrespective of whether you plan to work or study in France, retire there, or unite with a French/EU spouse/family member, securing a one-year long-stay visa will set you on track towards becoming resident in France.
To apply for a residence permit in France, you need a Long-Stay Visa Equivalent to a Residence Permit (Visa de Long Séjour Valant Titre de Séjour or VLS-TS). Different types of visas are available, and the type you request determines your carte de séjour. If your situation changes, you can request an alternative Carte de Séjour. Permanent residency allows you to reside and work in France without limitations after five consecutive years of residence.
Validating your VLS-TS in France
In order to validate your VLS-TS long-stay visa in France, you must do so within three months of arriving. This can be completed online at this site by entering details from your visa as well as personal information, indicating when and where you arrived along with a French address. Additionally, there is a required state tax payment of €200 that needs to be made during the process.
OFII Medical
The OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) will contact you to schedule a mandatory medical examination if your intention is to apply for a resident card (carte de séjour) at the conclusion of your long-stay visa.
The details pertaining to the medical examination (as specified in the official guidelines) include:
A medical evaluation includes a comprehensive clinical inspection, lung X-ray assessment, vaccination confirmation and blood glucose analysis for individuals at danger of diabetes. Further assessments may be suggested by the practitioner along with guidance on health tips and information about France’s healthcare structure.
Upon completion of all required medical evaluations, a certificate confirming that you satisfy the necessary health criteria for your residency in France will be granted to you. This document must subsequently be furnished at the local prefecture office as part of your application process for renewing your residence permit.
#2 Temporary Residence Card: For nearly all situations, such as for the partners and relatives of French citizens, your initial Carte de Séjour will be valid only for a year. Within two to four months before it expires, you must seek renewal.
Advice: A Carte de séjour and a Titre de séjour have identical meanings. The term ‘titre’ refers to the authorization, while ‘carte’ pertains to the card that confirms it. Nonetheless, you cannot possess one without obtaining the other; hence, it is practical to consider them as equivalent terms.
Applying for your first Carte de Séjour
To obtain your initial or temporary residence card (Carte de Séjour), you must apply online here at least two months prior to the expiration of your long-term visa. Use the same account that you created when validating your long-stay visa, and note that the entire application process takes place within France – there’s no need for a return trip to your home country.
In order to obtain your initial Carte de Séjour, you must attend an interview at your local prefecture and submit various documents (some of which were previously submitted for your original long-term visa but need to be re-submitted) while paying a fee of €225. During the session, biometric data will also be collected from you.
#3 Multi-year Residence Card: The next Carte de Séjour that you apply for will likely be a multi-year “pluriannuelle” card, generally lasting up to four years. However, there may be exceptions in certain cases; for example, students may only receive a Card de Séjour issued for the duration of their academic program.
To renew your Carte de Séjour for multiple years, follow the same process as your initial application, starting online four to two months before your current one-year permit expires. Submit necessary paperwork and receive a ‘récépissé’ as proof of renewal. If your situation hasn’t changed, renewing should be easier. If changes have occurred, expect additional paperwork and prepare diligently.
#4 Permanent Residence Card: To attain permanent residency, the last stride is obtaining a ‘Carte de résident permanent’ that can be applied for within three months after your ‘Carte de séjour pluriannuelle’ expiration.
To apply for a Carte de Résident, one must have resided in France for at least five years, with a three-year requirement for spouses or family members. The card is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
Applying for French Nationality
In case you have been residing in France for five years, instead of seeking a 10-year residency card, an alternate choice is to pursue French Nationality and therefore acquire citizenship.
After a continuous stay of five years in France, you are permitted to do this at any moment.
Although not obligatory to attain permanent residency, seeking French citizenship can offer several advantages. Obtaining it will grant you EU status with the freedom of movement around all member countries for work and residence without constraints. Unlike gaining permanent residency, being a French national won’t result in losing your nationality if residing abroad long-term. Furthermore, having French citizenship extends benefits like owning a passport from France or becoming eligible to apply for jobs exclusively open to EU citizens along with voting rights as well
How Much Does It Cost to Become Resident in France?
The estimated costs for visas and residency cards for French residence are rough and do not include additional expenses like health insurance or financial requirements. Translation fees for official documents into French are also considered. Some fees may be waived or reduced, but this information is for reference purposes only.
Long-stay visa application: The cost of €99 for the visa application may require an extra processing fee, which is presently £26 in the UK and $38.20 in the US. Additionally, there might be courier charges if you prefer to have your visa delivered to you, with a current rate of £16 applied in the UK.
Long-stay visa validation: A payment of €200 must be made within three months after your arrival in France.
Carte de Séjour temporaire: The payment of €225, which includes a tax amounting to €200 and a stamp duty worth €25, is required upon application for the Carte de Séjour at the end of your first year.
Carte de Séjour pluriannuelle: You will be required to pay €225 when applying for your Carte de Séjour, which includes a tax of €200 and stamp duty fee of €25. This payment must be made at the end of the second year.
Carte de Séjour permanent: When you apply for your Carte de Séjour after the end of your 6th year in France, and assuming that you have received a 4-year Carte de Séjour pluriannuelle, there is a payment of €225 which includes €200 tax and €25 stamp duty.
IMPORTANT:
It is important to understand that this article serves as a reference tool. The French government website, located here, contains all official details regarding visas and carte de séjours and should always be consulted for current fees/requirements. Nonetheless, our explanations aim to clarify the essential aspects of the process.
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