Residency in France for EU and non-EU Citizens - Carte de Séjour French Residence Permit

The right of a person to live and work in France depends on their citizenship as follows:

1. Non-European Union Citizens: A Carte de Séjour, also known as a Titre de Séjour, is a residence permit required by French law for any non-European Union citizen staying in France for a period longer than three months. 
   
2. European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) Citizens: All EU citizens from the original accession countries, and EEA citizens and their family members have the right to live and work in France and do not require a work or residence permit.
   
   Note: The non-EU/EEA spouse and dependent family members of an EU citizen in France are entitled to the same rights as an EU citizen to live in France, however within two months of arrival in the country they must apply for a residence permit (Carte de Séjour) and will not be entitled to all rights afforded EU/EEA citizens in France. "Family members" are parents, and children under 21 years of both the EU citizen or their non-EU spouse. 
3. New EU Accession countries: Citizens of the new EU member states may live in France but there are limitations on the sectors in which they may be employed. These rulings apply for seven years from the point of the new member country's accession to the EU. This relates to citizens of Bulgaria and Rumania. From 1 July 2008 many restrictions were removed for citizens of Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Limitations may also apply to non-EU citizens who hold residency permits from new accession states. Seek advice of the French Embassy in the new member state.
   For full details: Click here (in French)

EU Member-State Citizens Moving to France

Any EU or EEA citizen moving to France must carry a valid passport or Identity Document (ID). After three months they are required to declare themselves as resident, this is not the same as applying for a work or residence permit, which is not required for EU and EEA citizens from original accession countries.

Registration of EU citizens moving to France

The following rules affecting the registration (enregistrement des citoyens européens) of newly arrived EU citizens in France is being introduced; it is already in effect in some départements. You are urged to consult the Mairie in your place of residence to find out if this is required.

If registration is required: 

• Report to the Mairie of the commune of residence (take proof of ID and address) within three months of arrival in France
• The visit is recorded and a "receipt" (attestation d'enregistrement) is issued immediately
• Making application for a residence permit (titre/carte de séjour) is allowed but is optional

The receipt issued by the Mairie serves as record of residence; a failure to register, means they will be deemed to have resided in France for less than three months.

Note: Registration is to become obligatory and when it does, foreigners not registering with their Town Hall (Mairie) may be fined.

EU-national family members

Family members are children under 21 years and parents. EU children and parents of EU citizens who are settling in France must also have valid ID, or children must appear on a parent's passport. Each family member will also need to be registered with the Mairie within three months of arrival. 

EU-national's family members who are not EU-nationals

The non-EU spouse, children under 21 and parents of an EU citizen in France are entitled to live and work in the country but require a residence permit (Carte de Séjour). Application must be made at the Préfecture, within two months of entry in to France. A receipt (récépissé) is issued on application and a residency permit with the right to work (CE membre de famille, toutes activités professionnelles) is sent within six months of application. The permit is valid for up to five years; it must be renewed at least two months before the expiry date. It is issued at no cost.  

Documents required (originals and at least 2 copies) for the application are:

• Documents allowing entry into France (passport and visa)
• Document proving the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates)
• Proof of address (utility bill, deeds, rent receipt or a declaration by a legally resident family member that they are providing accommodation)
• Proof of EU family member's employment, proof of own employment or proof of financial resources and health insurance

Also:

• Details of parents, and mother's maiden name will be requested; have the information at the ready
• The EU family member's passport (and photocopies) may be required
• Translations of birth and marriage certificates not in French may be required
• Two stamped, self-addressed envelopes are sometimes, but not always, required

Permanent residence:

Non-EU family members receive the right to permanent residence on the same criteria as their EU family if they have resided together in France for over five years (for further details see EU-Citizens: Right to Permanent Residence, below). Application for the permanent residency card is obligatory, and must be made two months before the Carte de Séjour expires. The new permit, CE séjour permanent, toutes activités professionnelles is valid for ten years and must be renewed before expiry. 

Non-EU citizens who have been granted a right to residence based on their marriage to an EU citizen retain that right in the event of divorce or death of their EU spouse. 

• Further information: Click here (in French)

EU Citizens: Definitions of Residence

Foreigners in France are either actif - working, or inactif - not working. Slightly different rules apply to each set and are defined as follows:

1. Actif: Anyone who is receiving an income in France from employment or self-employment.
   For details from the French Government: Click here (in French)

2. Inactif: Anyone who is not engaged in economic activity; is not employed or self-employed in France. They are classed as inactif regardless of whether they receive income from inside or outside France (from a pension, investments or other source). This category includes students, retirees and citizens of the New EU Accession countries for whom there are work restrictions.  
   For details from the French Government: Click here (in French)

1) Actif: rights of residence 

EU citizens have the same rights to work and employment protection as a French citizen. In order to exercise these rights, an actif EU citizen needs to be able to show proof of employment. 

This requires: proof of self-employment, or a job contract or letter from an employer declaring employment. There is a six-month unemployment grace-period following the ending of a work contract or after unemployment resulting from an accident at work.

Actif: Application for residence permit (carte de séjour), optional 

Employed or self-employed EU citizens living in France for a period of less than five years may apply for an "EC all occupations" (CE toutes activités professionnelles) residence permit. This may be valid up to five years and is issued for the duration of a job contract or anticipated period of self-employment.

Where each department accepts applications differs; it may be at the Préfecture, the sous-préfecture, the local Mairie or the police station of the place of residence. Contact the departmental Préfecture or the local Mairie for information on where to apply.

Documents required for the application are:

• Valid ID or passport 
• Job contract or a letter from the employer declaring employment, or
• If self employed, proof of registration in a trade from the Chambre de Métiers, or proof of registration in a profession from the Chambre de Commerce, or proof of registration as a Profession Libérale from URSSAF

Required for family members' application: 

• Valid ID or passport 
• Document proving family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
• Document proving financial resources (employment contract, job contract of family member, or proof of funds and health insurance)

There is no charge for the application and issue of the residence card. 

2) Inactif/Not working (retired, student, other)

EU-citizens moving to France with no income from employment (such as retired people and students) have the right to live in France, but need to show they have the financial resources to be self-supporting and not depend on the French state. 

This requires: proof of pension for the retired, or proof of sufficient financial resources to support themselves and dependent family members without requiring French social assistance or health insurance. Students must be enrolled in an educational institution or vocational training and have proof from a French bank of sufficient monthly revenue to support themselves and dependent family members.

• For guidelines on amounts from the French Government information Click here (in French)

Inactif: Application for residence permit (carte de séjour), optional 

Foreigners in France for a period of less than five years who aren't receiving income from employment, may apply for a CE Non-Actif residence permit. 

Where each department accepts applications differs; it may be at the Préfecture, the sous-préfecture, the local Mairie or the police station of the place of residence. Contact the departmental Préfecture or the local Mairie for information on where to apply.

Documents required for the application are:

• Valid ID or passport 
• Proof of medical insurance
• Proof of sufficient financial resources for the applicant and their dependent family members in France

Required for family members' application: 

• Valid ID or passport 
• Document proving family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
• Document proving financial resources (employment contract or proof of funds and health insurance)

Inactif: Student application for residence permit, optional 

A student resident in France for a period less than five years may apply for an CE étudiant residence permit which is valid for a maximum of one year and can be renewed. 

Where each department accepts applications differs; it may be at the Préfecture, the sous-préfecture, the local Mairie or the police station of the place of residence. Contact the departmental Préfecture or the local Mairie for information on where to apply.

Documents required for the application are:

• Valid ID or passport 
• Proof of enrolment in an educational institution
• Proof of medical insurance
• Declaration by the student (or their guardian) stating that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves (and possible dependent family) in France. Note that a students parents are not included as "family"

There is no charge for the residency card application or card renewal.

EU-Citizens: Right to Permanent Residence (séjour permanent)

Any EU citizen who has been resident in France for five or more continuous years has the right to permanent residence and a residence permit and does not need to provide proof of income or employment. This also applies to citizens of the New EU accession countries.

A person may be required to prove the continuity of their residence in France over the five years; this can be proven by any means and is not altered by absences of up to six months per year or an absence of up to a year for reasons of illness, study or a professional posting elsewhere. 

The right to permanent residence is lost after a person has not lived in France for more than two consecutive years.

The permanent residence permit "EC permanent stay all occupations" (CE séjour permanent, toutes activités professionnelles) is valid for twenty years and fully renewable. Acquiring this card is optional.

 Non-EU Citizens Moving to France

Changes to the types and duration of temporary residence permits introduced on 1 June 2009 are being introduced. The situation is in a state of change; please seek advice of the home country French Embassy before departing for France. 

There are many variables for non-EU citizens applying for residency in France. These depend on the purpose for stay (employment, study, retirement), duration of planned stay and many other factors. Details on application requirements are available from the  French Embassy in the home country. 

Non-EU individuals and families intending to move to France must apply for a long stay visa (visa long séjour) prior to leaving their home country. The long-stay visa (visa long séjour) is issued for a stay exceeding three months in France and it is mandatory to have this visa in order to apply for the first temporary residence card or residence card. 

• Comprehensive information on visas and the application process is available in English from France Diplomatie: Click here 

Application for a visa

Any non-EU/EEA national planning to be in France longer than three months must apply for a long stay visa valid for a holiday (visa long séjour visiteur), employment (salarié), study (étudiant), or private and family life (vie privée et familiale) if moving in with an EU family member. A non-EU national may only apply for temporary residency or a residence permit in France if they have already been granted a long stay visa. 

Visas can only be applied for at the French Embassy of the non-EU national's home country before departure.

Résidents de longue durée - CE: The rules are slightly different for non-EU nationals who have been long-term residents of another EU country (Résidents de longue durée - CE). A third-country national who has resided legally in an EU country for a minimum of five years, need not apply for a visa long séjour and may make their residency application at the Préfecture within three month's of their arrival in France. 

Temporary residency (Carte de séjour temporaire) valid 1 year

French Embassies and local departments of OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration, formerly ANAEM (Agence Nationale d'Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations) are taking on some of the processing of applications for temporary residency of up to one year. The temporary residency is kept in the passport (a separate residency card is not issued) and required additional certificates issued by the OFII office. Details from the French Embassy.

Newly arrived foreigners may be requested to be tested on their French language skills (written and spoken). If it's not found to be satisfactory, lessons are required.

Application for residence permit (Carte de Séjour)

Once in France, foreigners over 18 years of age who hold a valid visa may apply for residency. Application should be made within two months of arrival in the country at the Service des étrangers section of the local Préfecture, Sous-Préfecture (or the Préfecture de Police if in Paris). The application should be made in person.

The application requires: proof of identity, family situation, address and other factors that correspond with the reason for staying (work, study, retirement/other). 

• To see a sample of the Demande de Titre de Séjour application form: Click here (PDF in French)

Note: In some départements, the Prefect may decide that applications for residence permits are submitted to the police or the town hall in the place of residence, and that certain categories of applications may be sent by post. Locally relevant information is available from the Préfecture.

Documents required for the application include:

It is recommended to take the documents, in original form, with two photocopies of each item.

• Valid passport 
• Valid long stay visa (which is in the passport)
• Proof of family situation (birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of dependent children)
• Proof of permanent address in France (EDF electricity bill or the house deed of sale (acte de vente) for a house bought in France or a signed lease agreement for the French address)
• Recent medical certificate issued by OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration, formerly ANAEM (Agence Nationale d'Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations)
• Three recent identity photographs (there are photo booths in most shopping centres and Préfectures) 

There is a fee payable for the application; the price depends on the type of permit being applied for.

Additional documents specific to an application:

Requirements vary depending on the particular situation of the applicant. Initial advice can be sought from the French Embassy in the home country. Information will also be available from the Préfecture or OFII. Documents required will include:

• Worker: job contract issued by the employer
• Visitor: ID and a declaration (attestation) signed by a host person/family member; proof of financial resources or pension provision; proof of health insurance 

Note:

• Details of parents, and mother's maiden name will be requested; have the information at the ready
• Translations of birth and marriage certificates not in French may be required
• Two stamped, self-addressed envelopes are sometimes, but not always, required
• Any certificates not in French should be translated by an official, court-certified translator (contact information available from Préfectures, Consulates and police stations)

Once an application has been made, the applicant will be given a temporary receipt (récépissé). This is valid for three months and can be renewable. It permits stay in France while the application is being processed. Notification is be sent by post; if successful, take the notification and the récépissé to the governmental office specified (the local Police Municipale, Mairie or Préfecture) in exchange for the plastic laminated Carte de Séjour. 

The period of validity will depend on various factors concerning employment and study arrangements or family status.

Renewal of the Carte de Séjour

Similar documents are generally required for a renewal as for the original application. In addition, proof of health insurance or registration with the French social security system (a Carte Vitale or an attestation) may be required. The documents proving family status are not needed, but proof of funds/income is: either salary receipts from the prior three months or the previous year's tax declaration. Bank statements from the prior three months may also be requested.

The 10-year residence card is not automatically renewed; renewal will depend on the "degree of integration" into French culture and society made by the card holder. 

• Full details of the law and links to the decree are available on the Government website: Click here  (in French)

Changing the address on a Carte de Séjour

Go to the Prefecture taking:

• Copy of the passport
• The Carte de Séjour and a copy of the Carte de Séjour
• Proof of address (justificatives): EDF or GDF bill, rental contract or rent receipt in the name of the Carte de Séjour holder
• Three ID photographs

A sticker showing the new address is place on the card is issued. A new Carte de Séjour is not issued, the original is kept until it expires.

Paris only: 

Go to the Commissariat overseeing the new address. Take:

• Passport
• Proof of address (justificatives): EDF or GDF bill, rental contract or rent receipt in the name of the Carte de Séjour holder

A declaration of change of address is issued; a new Carte de Séjour is not issued, the original is be kept until it expires.

French Embassy Websites

Australian Citizens

• French Embassy in Australia
• Details and application forms for visa information: Click here

Canadian Citizens

• French Embassy in Canada 

New Zealand Citizens

• French Embassy in New Zealand

South African Citizens

• French Embassy in South Africa 

US Citizens 

• French Embassy in the United States
• Details specific to moving to or visiting France: Click here

Further Information

• Service Public Government Service website
• ANAEM (Agence Nationale d'Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations)
  At: 44 rue Bargue, 75732 Paris
  Tel: 01 53 69 53 01
  Fax: 01 53 69 53 23
  Website
• France Diplomatie
• Préfecture de Police, Paris 
  Tel: 01 53 71 51 68
  Website