This page has been automatically translated. Please refer to the page in French if needed.
Long stay of a European in France
Verified 01 avril 2022 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
As a citizen of a European Economic Area or if you are Swiss, you have the possibility to settle in France after 3 months. A residence card is not required, but may be useful. You can then acquire a permanent right of residence after the first 5 years of a regular and uninterrupted stay in France.
What applies to you ?
Depending on your personal situation, the steps to take may vary.
The residence of a European Economic Area citizen or a Swiss citizen beyond the 3-month period is not entirely free. A refusal of stay may be granted.
Entry into France
To enter France, you must meet the following 2 obligations:
- Have a valid identity document or passport
- Not posing a threat to public order
Conditions of residence
In order to have the right to stay as a worker, you must be able to justify the exercise of a professional activity in France.
However, even if you are no longer active, you may still have the right to stay in certain situations, including:
- Temporary incapacity in case of illness or accident
- Involuntary unemployment
FYI : you may engage in any activity as an employed or self-employed person (except certain public jobs and, subject to certain conditions, certain regulated professions).
Application for residence card
You don't have to have a residence permit.
However, you have the right to request EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen residence card - All professional activities.
Right of permanent residence
After 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, you get a right to permanent residence.
You can prove your right to stay in the previous 5 years by any means (employment contract, unemployment certificate, registration in the trade and business register, etc.).
You no longer need to justify the conditions of your stay (worker status or not).
You may stay permanently in France, provided that you do not pose a serious threat to public order.
You can request a EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen's residence card - Permanent stay - All professional activities, but it is not mandatory.
You lose your right to permanent residence if you are away from France for more than 2 consecutive years.
Some absences are allowed:
- Temporary absence not exceeding 6 months per year
- Absences for performance of military duties
- Absence of up to 12 consecutive months for important reasons such as severe illness, education or professional secondment to the foreigner
Please note : in certain situations, you can obtain a right to permanent residence before the 5-year period. This is the case, under certain conditions, if you are a frontier worker or if you stop working as a result of permanent incapacity to work or to collect your pension.
The stay of a European beyond the 3 month period is not completely free. A refusal of stay may be granted.
Entry into France
To enter the UK you must meet the following 2 obligations:
- Have a valid identity document or passport
- Not posing a threat to public order
Conditions of residence
You must meet the following 3 conditions:
- Be enrolled in an establishment to attend, as a principal, studies or vocational training
- Holding sickness and maternity insurance
- Ensure that you have sufficient resources for yourself and, possibly, for your family members, to avoid becoming a burden on the French welfare system
Your educational institution may be public or private. It must operate in accordance with regulatory requirements (including registration with the rectorate).
Application for residence card
You don't have to have a residence permit.
However, you have the right to request EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen's residence card - Student.
Right of permanent residence
After 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, you can obtain a right to permanent residence.
You must prove your right to stay in the previous 5 years by any means (e.g. university registrations, bank statements, previous tax notices).
You no longer need to justify the conditions of your stay (studies, resources).
You may stay permanently in France, provided that you do not pose a serious threat to public order.
You can request a EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen's residence card - Permanent stay - All professional activities, it is optional.
You can prove the continuity of your stay over the 5 years by any means (for example, regarding your resources: bank statements, miscellaneous administrative documents and tax notices).
You lose your right to permanent residence if you are away from France for more than 2 consecutive years.
Some absences are allowed:
- Temporary absence not exceeding 6 months per year
- Absences for performance of military duties
- Absence of up to 12 consecutive months for important reasons such as pregnancy, serious illness or education
The residence of a European Economic Area citizen or a Swiss citizen beyond the 3-month period is not entirely free. A refusal of stay may be granted.
Entry into France
To enter France, you must meet the following 2 obligations:
- Have a valid identity document or passport
- Not posing a threat to public order
Conditions of residence
As an inactive or retired person, you must meet the following 2 conditions:
- Have maternity health insurance
- Have sufficient resources not to become a burden in the French welfare system
Your right of residence over these 5 years can be proved by any means (e.g. regarding your resources: bank statements, miscellaneous administrative documents and tax notices).
Up to age 65
You must have sufficient resources. The amount depends on your personal situation.
Administration cannot require that your resources exceed the following amounts:
Terms | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|
If you live alone | No children | €575.52 |
With 1 child | €985.38 | |
With 2 children | €1,231.72 | |
With 3 children | €1,478 | |
With 4 children | €1,724 | |
If you live as a couple | No children | €863.28 |
With 1 child | €1,035.93 | |
With 2 children | €1,208.58 | |
With 3 children | €1,438.80 | |
With 4 children | €1,611.45 | |
From age 65
You must have sufficient resources.
The sufficiency of your resources is studied taking into account your personal situation. In all cases, the administration cannot require that your resources exceed the following amounts per month:
Terms | Amounts | |
|---|---|---|
If you live alone | 916.78 | |
If you live as a couple | 1,423.31 | |
Application for residence card
You do not have to have a residence permit, as the application is optional.
However, you have the right to request EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen's residence card - Not active.
Right of permanent residence
After 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, you can request a right to permanent residence.
You can prove your right to stay over the previous 5 years by any means (bank statements).
You no longer need to justify the conditions of your stay (resources).
You can stay permanently in France, provided you do not pose a serious threat to public order.
You can request a EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen's residence card - Permanent stay - All professional activities, it is not mandatory.
You can prove the continuity of your stay over the 5 years by any means (for example, regarding your resources: bank statements, miscellaneous administrative documents and tax notices ...).
You lose your right to permanent residence if you are away from France for more than 2 consecutive years.
Some absences are allowed:
- Temporary absence not exceeding 6 months per year
- Absences for performance of military duties
- Absence of up to 12 consecutive months for important reason such as serious illness