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Long stay of a European in France
Verified 01 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
As a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area or if you are Swiss, you have the possibility to settle in France beyond 3 months. The residence card giving out your rights is not mandatory, but can 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 ?
The stay of a citizen of the European Economic Area or of a Swiss beyond the period of 3 months is not completely free. A refusal of residence may be granted.
Entry to France
To enter France, you must meet the following 2 obligations:
- Have a valid identity document or passport
- Do not pose a threat to public order
Conditions of residence
In order to have a right of residence as a worker, you must be able to justify the exercise of a professional activity in France.
However, even if you are no longer in business, you can retain your 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 posts and, subject to conditions, certain regulated professions).
Application for a residence card
You do not have to have a residence permit.
However, you have the right to request a EU/EEA/Switzerland Citizen residence card - All professional activities.
Right of permanent residence
After 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, you obtain a right to permanent residence.
You can prove your right to stay over the previous 5 years by any means (employment contract, unemployment certificate, registration in the commercial and business register, etc.).
You then no longer need to justify the conditions of your stay (worker status or not).
You can stay permanently in France, provided you do not pose a serious threat to public order.
You can ask for a residence card Citizen EU/EEA/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activitiesBut it's not mandatory.
You lose your right to permanent residence if you leave France for more than 2 consecutive years.
Some absences are allowed:
- Temporary absences not exceeding 6 months per year
- Absence for the performance of military duties
- Absence of a maximum of 12 consecutive months for an important reason such as serious illness, study or professional posting abroad for example
Please note
in some situations, you can obtain a right of 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 because of a permanent incapacity for work or to collect your pension.
The stay of a European beyond the 3-month period is not completely free. A refusal of residence may be granted.
Entry to France
To enter France you must meet the following 2 obligations:
- Have a valid identity document or passport
- Do not pose a threat to public order
Conditions of residence
You must meet the following 3 conditions:
- Be enrolled in an institution for the purpose of studying or receiving vocational training
- Have sickness and maternity insurance
- Ensure that you have sufficient resources for yourself and, possibly, your family members, not to become a burden on the French welfare system
Your educational institution can be public or private. It must operate in accordance with the regulatory conditions (including accreditation or registration with the rectorate).
Application for a residence card
You do not have to have a residence permit.
However, you have the right to request a EU/EEA/Switzerland Citizen 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 over the previous 5 years by any means (e.g. university registrations, bank statements, previous tax notices).
You then no longer need to justify the conditions of your stay (studies, resources).
You can stay permanently in France, provided you do not pose a serious threat to public order.
You can ask for a residence card Citizen EU/EEA/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities, it is optional.
You can prove the continuity of your stay over the 5 years by any means (for example, concerning your resources: bank statements, various administrative documents and tax notices).
You lose your right to permanent residence if you leave France for more than 2 consecutive years.
Some absences are allowed:
- Temporary absences not exceeding 6 months per year
- Absence for the performance of military duties
- Absence of up to 12 consecutive months for an important reason such as pregnancy, serious illness or studies
The stay of a citizen of the European Economic Area or of a Swiss beyond the period of 3 months is not completely free. A refusal of residence may be granted.
Entry to France
To enter France, you must meet the following 2 obligations:
- Have a valid identity document or passport
- Do not pose a threat to public order
Conditions of residence
As an inactive or retired person, you must meet the following 2 conditions:
- Have sickness and maternity insurance
- Have sufficient resources not to become a burden on the French social assistance system
Your right to stay over these 5 years can be proven by any means (for example regarding your resources: bank statements, various administrative documents and tax notices).
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Up to 65 years
You must have sufficient resources. The amount depends on your personal situation.
The administration cannot require your resources to exceed the following amounts:
Conditions | Monthly amount | |
|---|---|---|
If you live alone | Childless | €598.54 |
With 1 child | €1,024.80 | |
With 2 children | €1,281.00 | |
With 3 children | €1,537 | |
With 4 children | €1,793 | |
If you live as a couple | Childless | €897.82 |
With 1 child | €1,077.38 | |
With 2 children | €1,256.94 | |
With 3 children | €1,496.36 | |
With 4 children | €1,675.92 | |
From 65 years
You must have sufficient resources.
The sufficiency of your resources is considered taking into account your personal situation. In any case, the administration cannot require your resources to exceed the following amounts per month:
Conditions | Amounts | |
|---|---|---|
If you live alone | €961.08 | |
If you live as a couple | €1,492.08 | |
Application for a residence card
You do not have to have a residence permit, as the application is optional.
However, you have the right to request a EU/EEA/Switzerland Citizen residence card - Non-active.
Right of permanent residence
After 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, you can apply for a right to permanent residence.
You can prove your right to stay over the previous 5 years by any means (bank statements).
You then 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 ask for a residence card Citizen EU/EEA/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activitiesNo, it's not mandatory.
You can prove the continuity of your stay over the 5 years by any means (for example, concerning your resources: bank statements, various administrative documents and tax notices ...).
You lose your right to permanent residence if you leave France for more than 2 consecutive years.
Some absences are allowed:
- Temporary absences not exceeding 6 months per year
- Absence for the performance of military duties
- Absence of up to 12 consecutive months for an important reason such as serious illness
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service
For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Cost: free service
The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.
The service is available at the following times:
- Monday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Thursday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Friday: 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m
- Code of entry and residence of foreigners and right of asylum: Article L233-1 to L233-6Right to residence and work during the first 5 years
- Code of entry and residence of foreigners and right of asylum: Articles L234-1 to L234-3Right of permanent residence after 5 years
- Code of entry and residence of foreigners and right of asylum: Articles R233-7 to R233-10Maintenance of the right of residence
- Circular of 10 September 2010 on the right of residence of European and Swiss citizens and their family members (PDF - 1.3 MB)