Stay in France of the family of a European citizen
Verified 08 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
If you are a citizen of a European country, you may be accompanied or joined in France by a member of your immediate family (spouse, children, ascendants), irrespective of their nationality. Other people with whom you are related may also be allowed to live with you in France and under certain conditions (cohabiting partner, dependent, etc.). But in this case, it is not an automatic right. We present you with the information you need to know.
If you are an EU citizenEEE: titleContent or Switzerland, you must have a right to stay in France as a worker, inactive or student to bring your family.
These may be your spouse, your children under 21 or dependent and those of your spouse, your ascendants direct dependants and those of your spouse.
Warning
If you're a student, you can't bring your ascendants to France.
The formalities concerning the stay in France of your family members vary according to their nationality (European or not).
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European or Swiss family
The first 5 years
Conditions
Your family members must have a valid identity document or passport.
They must not represent a threat to public order.
Adult members of your family, who have lived in France with you for less than 5 years, can request a residence card of a family member of a Union/EEA/Swiss citizen-All professional activities. But it's not an obligation.
This residence permit is valid for the same period as yours. If you have not applied for a residence permit, it has the length of stay to which you are entitled, up to a maximum of 5 years.
Card Request
The process is done on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
After 5 years in France
Conditions
Your family, who has resided legally and continuously in France for the 5 years previous with you, get a right of permanent residence.
Once acquired, this right allows him to remain definitely in France if your family members do not represent serious threat to public order.
Your family can prove the continuity of its stay over the 5 years in France by any means (e.g. rent or expense receipts, invoices).
Some absences are permitted, including the following:
- 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
In case of removal measure, the continuity of the stay is interrupted.
Adult members of your family can apply for a permanent residence card (mention Citizen EU/EEA/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities or Directive 2004/38/EC - Permanent residence - All professional activities according to their nationality). This card is not not required. It is valid for 10 years and is renewable.
A person who obtains the right of permanent residence loses that right if he is absent from French territory more than 2 consecutive years.
FYI
If you are a worker, your family may in certain situations obtain a right of permanent residence before the 5 years mentioned above. Accident at work For example, if you die as a result of
Card Request
The process is done on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Family of another nationality
The first 5 years
Conditions
Major members of your family (or over 16 if they wish to work) must have a residence permit.
They have to ask within 3 months of their entry into France.
Within a maximum period of 6 months, a residence card family member of a Union citizen shall be issued unless they represent a threat to public order.
This card has the same validity as your residence permit. If you have not applied for a residence permit, it has the length of stay to which you are entitled, up to a maximum of 5 years.
Your family's right of residence ends with yours. However, in certain situations and under certain conditions, your family can continue to live without you in France (in case of divorce or death or if you leave France, etc.).
If the card needs to be renewed, you have to apply between 4 and 2 months before its end date.
Card Request
The process is done on the Internet!
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
After 5 years in France
Conditions
Your family, who has resided legally and continuously in France for the previous 5 years with you, gets a right of permanent residence.
Once acquired, this right allows him to remain definitely in France, unless it represents serious threat to public order.
Your family can prove the continuity of its stay over the 5 years in France by any means (e.g. rent or expense receipts, invoices).
Some absences are permitted, including the following:
- 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
In case of removal measure, the continuity of the stay is interrupted.
The major members of your family are required to request a residence card Directive 2004/38/EC - Permanent residence - All professional activities. They must do so between 4 and 2 months before the end of their 5 years of uninterrupted stay.
A person who obtains the right of permanent residence loses that right if he is absent from French territory more than 2 consecutive years.
FYI
If you are a worker, your family may in certain situations obtain a right of permanent residence before the 5 years mentioned above. Accident at work For example, if you die as a result of
Card Request
The process is done on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Conditions
The partner of a Civil partnerships: titleContent (or the foreigners equivalent) may apply for a residence card of family member of a Union/EEA/Swiss citizen-All professional activities.
The minimum period of common life required (in France and/or in another country) is1 year.
Card Request
The formalities concerning the stay in France of your Civil partnership partner vary according to its nationality (European or not).
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European partner
For European or Swiss, the card request is optional.
The person must provide the following documents:
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication of domicile by any means
- E-photo
- Proof of the right of residence of the host European (as worker, inactive or student)
- Proof of family relationship: birth certificate and convention of Civil partnerships: titleContent + certificate of non-dissolution of the Civil partnerships (or extract of birth certificate and foreigner partnership certificate + certificate of non-dissolution of the foreigner partnership)
- Supporting documents establishing the 1-year common life: bank statements, tax documents, insurance certificate, joint loan certificate, etc.
The process is done on the Internet!
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Foreigner partner of another country
Only the adult (or over 16 if he or she wishes to work) of non-European nationality has the obligation to apply for a residence card. She must do it within 3 months of his entry into France.
The person must provide the following documents:
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication of domicile by any means
- E-Photo
- Proof of the right of residence of the host European (as worker, inactive or student)
- Proof of family relationship: birth certificate and convention of Civil partnerships: titleContent + certificate of non-dissolution of the Civil partnerships (or extract of birth certificate and foreigner partnership certificate + certificate of non-dissolution of the foreigner partnership)
- Supporting documents establishing the 1-year common life: bank statements, tax documents, insurance certificate, joint loan certificate, etc.
The process is done on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Conditions
The spouse, with whom the European has a relationship attested by a certificate and proof of common life, can apply for a residence card of family member of a Union/EEA/Swiss citizen-All professional activities.
The minimum period of common life required (in France and/or in another country) is 5 years (with exceptions).
Card Request
The formalities concerning your partner's stay in France vary according to his nationality (European or not).
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European cohabiting partner
For European or Swiss, the card request is optional.
The person must provide the following documents:
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication of domicile by any means
- E-photo
- Proof of the right of residence of the host European (as worker, inactive or student)
- Proof of family relationship: birth certificate, foreigner partnership certificate, certificate of non-dissolution of the foreigner partnership, cohabitation certificate (documents corresponding to the situation at the time of application)
- Supporting documents establishing the 1-year common life: bank statements, tax documents, insurance certificate, joint loan certificate, etc.
The process is done on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Foreigner cohabiting partner of another country
Only the adult (or over 16 if he or she wishes to work) of non-European nationality has the obligation to apply for a residence card. She must do it within 3 months of his entry into France.
The person must provide the following documents:
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication of domicile by any means
- E-photo
- Proof of the right of residence of the host European (as worker, inactive or student)
- Proof of family relationship: birth certificate, foreigner partnership certificate, certificate of non-dissolution of the foreigner partnership, cohabitation certificate (documents corresponding to the situation at the time of application)
- Supporting documents establishing the 1-year common life: bank statements, tax documents, insurance certificate, joint loan certificate, etc.
The process is done on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Conditions
The person who has serious health problems requiring the urgent and personal support of the European citizen may obtain a right of residence in France. This right is obtained after examination of his situation.
Card Request
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European
For European or Swiss, the card request is optional.
The person must provide the following documents:
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication of domicile by any means
- E-photo
- Proof of the right of residence of the host European (as worker, inactive or student)
- Medical certificates that establish the seriousness of the family member's condition for which you are making the request
- Any document relating to the assistance provided by the EU/EEA/Switzerland national: accommodation or other documents relating to everyday life and care performed by the EU/EEA/Switzerland national, etc.
The process is done on the Internet.
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Other situation
Only the adult (or over 16 if he or she wishes to work) of non-European nationality has the obligation to request a residence card. She must do it within 3 months of his entry into France.
The person must provide the following documents:
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication of domicile by any means
- E-photo
- Proof of the right of residence of the host European (as worker, inactive or student)
- Medical certificates that establish the seriousness of the family member's condition for which you are making the request
- Any document relating to the assistance provided by the EU/EEA/Switzerland national: accommodation or other related to everyday life and care performed by the EU/EEA/Switzerland national etc.
The process is done on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Conditions
A person who is a member of the household of the European citizen in the country of origin may apply to reside in France.
This person must be related, for example, to a brother, sister, uncle or aunt,
Its financial and social situation, its need for material support and its care by the European citizen are examined.
In the event of a favorable opinion from the administration, a residence card of family member of a Union/EEA/Swiss citizen-All professional activities may be issued.
Card Request
The person must provide the following documents:
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication of domicile by any means
- E-photo
- Proof of the right of residence of the host European (as worker, inactive or student)
- Proof of family link: birth certificate, documents corresponding to the situation at the time of application)
The process is done on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
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:
- Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
Personal and family ties
Right of permanent residence after 5 years of residence