This form is valid for 12 months, after which you will be evaluated to see whether you have met the requirements of the CAI, for example, have become sufficiently proficient in French or taken a civics class. Permanent residence for your EU family members The same rights apply to your EU family members. All applications for permanent residency in France should be completed 2 months before their visa expiration date. your spouse retains his/her French citizenship; and. This time reduces in certain cases such as marriage to or a parent of a French national. If you were not born in France but born to a French parent, you can apply for a demande d’attribution (based on droit du sang, or blood relation) at your town hall. A permanent residence permit (Carte de résident, CR) allows you to live permanently in France. If you want to permanently reside in France, you must reside in the country for 5 years before you are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. Any EU citizen that has stayed in France for more than 5 years has the right to obtain a permanent residence permit. If successful, you become a French citizen at a naturalization ceremony. However, they will have to register for a permanent … You’ll need to verify your identity (via your passport) and confirm your ongoing residence, plus you may be subject to a criminality and security check. Who needs a residence permit in France? Those who can show residency for more than five years will obtain a ‘permanent’ card, renewable in a very simple process after 10 years, and others will obtain a temporary five-year card and will be able to apply for the 10-year card when they attain five full years in France. To apply, you must submit a declaration (demande d’acquisition par declaration) with the following: The police, mayor’s office, and other government departments assess applications. Attaining Citizenship Through Birth Request citizenship if you were born in France to foreign … Any EU citizen living in France for five years or more, has the right to permanent residence and is not obligated to provide proof of their income or employment. There are two types of it as well: You have until 30 June 2021 to apply for a residency permit and retain your EU rights. As it’s renewable, theoretically you could keep living in France indefinitely with this status. You don’t have to give up your own nationality if you become a French citizen; you can have French dual citizenship. Single dependents automatically become French if they live with you and are included in the naturalization decree. Permanent residency in France for settling, Permanent resident status in France - Guide. Living abroad in France can be an eye-opening experience. A French permanent residence permit allows you to stay in France for 10 years. For example, you can’t vote in elections or hold public office. The application fee for a permanent resident card for France is 269 EUR (301 USD). For any stay in France exceeding 90 days, you are required to apply in advance for a long-stay vis. This is for applicants who have held the European Blue Card. The application cost depends on the reason for the request; it ranges from €269 for family reunification (€250 plus €19 for the duty stamp) to €19 for asylum seekers and veterans. Find out the conditions and what you need to know to apply for French citizenship or French permanent residency. Main purpose of this page is sharing knowledge and experience of such matters as living, doing business, getting a job, studying, looking for a suitable housing in different places, as well as learning about cuisine, culture and legal aspects of immigration. There may also be an interview with the police. Depending on which conditions you meet, you can consider either French permanent residency or EU long-term residence, the latter providing additional benefits to moving around and living in other EU members states. Once you live in France for five continuous years, you may apply for a carte de resident. have been living in France for five continuous years (less under certain circumstances, such as having studied in a French university for two years, contributing to the radiance of France, or possessing an “exceptional course of integration” in civic action, science, economics, culture or sports, in which case it’s two years); can prove that you have integrated into the French community by speaking French and having a knowledge of French culture and society and the rights and duties of French citizens. Permits are valid for up to ten years and renewable. You apply in person at your local préfecture de Police or sous-préfecture in at the services des étrangers (foreigners office). This isn’t something you can apply for while you’re vacationing in France.The authorities do not allow you to change your status from tourist to resident without jumping through the right hoops. If you hold a degree or two from any French university, you will be allowed to live and work in France without possessing a French permanent residency permit. It takes about 6 - 8 weeks to process and once it’s ready, you’ll be notified. As it’s renewable, theoretically you could keep living in France indefinitely with this status. Corporate - Corporate residence Last reviewed - 16 September 2019 France is defined as metropolitan France (excluding the overseas territories [TOM], but including the continental shelf), Corsica, and the overseas departments (DOM, i.e. They are valid for ten years and renewable. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. If you are obtaining your France permanent residency for family reunification, you will have to pay €269. All non-EU/EEA nationals that plan to reside in France for more than 3 months must apply for a long stay visa that would be valid all through their stay in France. This blog is dedicated to traveling and residing in different countries around the world. Foster and adopted children can also claim French citizenship if their guardian is a French citizen. These may include documents proving your residence, an employment contract, bank statements, birth or marriage certificates and medical certificate. The five-year residency requirement is only three years if you are joining a family member in France who already has permanent residence, or if you are the parent of child with French nationality with temporary residence, on the basis of family reunification. Any EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who lives resident in France for five or more continuous years can apply for permanent residence without proving income or employment. There are many reasons for the popularity of living in France. You’ll receive a national ID card and a French passport. Foreign nationals whose native countries are members of the EU, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland, have, Documents needed for permanent residency in France, How to apply for French permanent residency, Exceptions for permanent residency in France, If you want to permanently reside in France, you must. It is a paperwork-intensive process and requires a moderate command of the French language (intermediate B1 on the CECR language scale). A permanent residence permit also known as Carte de résident is a special document that allows you to live permanently in France. It permits its holder to stay in France for 10 years, and is renewable. Once your visa application is accepted, you and any of your family members above 21 years will have to apply for a carte de séjour before they are allowed to live and work in France. The online residency portal opens next week, on 1 October. 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 (type D). They provide information on what documents you need according to your personal situation. It is valid for 10 years and is renewable. It isn’t necessary to renounce your original nationality when you become a French citizen but can have dual nationality. Based on the above, you have the following options available to you: This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Read more about the conditions and where to apply for foreigners acquiring French permanent residence. If your marriage was less than three years ago, then you can apply after three years of holding a carte de séjour (residence permit). You can apply to become a naturalized French citizen if you have: If you are becoming a French citizen through naturalization or marriage, you must sign the Reception and Integration Contract (CAI). Acquiring this card is optional. It only allows you to call France home and work in France. The permanent residence permit "EU permanent stay all occupations" (UE séjour permanent, toutes activités professionnelles) is renewable. You must be over 18 and be living in France. Read the rights and differences (in French). The first step is getting there. As France allows dual citizenship, British citizens who qualify can consider an application for French citizenship to maintain access to living in the European Union (EU). If you have been living in France for more than 5 years, you are eligible for permanent residency and a 10-year renewable residency permit. For asylum seekers and veterans, the cost for a permanent residence permit is only €19. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals are no longer need to hold this permit. In either case, a continuous stay in France for a set number of years is typically a French citizenship requirement. However, without it, they cannot qualify for state services, such as housing financial aid. What happens if my PR card expires? One of the first steps to acquiring citizenship by naturalization in France is to obtain a permanent residency permit. Furthermore, living in France as an expat can be a great journey. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss family members can also apply for permanent residence after five years. You can apply for either French citizenship or permanent residence at your local French préfecture (town hall). An amendment to French law in 2015 also makes it possible for children to acquire French citizenship at 18 years old if they have lived in France since the age of six, attended a French school, and have a sibling who obtained French citizenship. Also, France is an incredible place to live and obtaining a second passport in the country guarantees you the same benefits any citizen of the European Union can enjoy. You will have to come with the documents listed above. Whether you choose French citizenship or French permanent residence, both options allow you to continue living in France long-term, although some important differences exist between the two that can help you decide which is the best option. In this instance your nationality does not exempt you from requirements. Permanent residency in France. Your non-EU family members should apply for a permanent residence card towards the end of the 5 year period of their legal residence with you. If you hold a current permanent residence card or document as an EU citizen before the end of the transition period, you can exchange this for a new residence document with few formalities. A permanent residence permit also known as Carte de résident is a special document that allows you to live permanently in France. To get the best experience in France, you might want to read on these guides as well: But first, let’s see what you can do to get a permanent residency permit in France. This is a renewable permanent residence permit that allows you to live in France for up to 10 years. The right to permanent residence is lost after a person has not lived in France for more than two consecutive years. Non-EU family members permanent residence rights Staying longer, though, means applying for a visa de séjour temporaire (a residence visa.). Permits are valid for ten years and renewable. Our team can also handle the formalities for obtaining a visa for France, so you can address your inquiries at any time. Residency in Europe – France Permanent Settlement Permit The options for securing a permanent residence permit for France depends upon whether you are applying for the first time for a resident permit in France or you have renewed a residence permit prior. After five years, you also have the option of applying for the EU long-term resident card. A France residence permit is a document that allows its holder to stay in France, and is mandatory for every foreigner that comes to France with the purpose of staying more than three months. You retain the permit even after divorce or the death of the EU spouse. Permanent residency: A permanent residence permit (carte de résident) allows you to live permanently in France. If you possess a one-year residence card but refuse to declare it at the time of your application, you will be penalized. The culture, economy, landscape, and other reasons attract people all over the world. Your choices will not impact your visit. They'll then receive a card - usually valid for 10 years - which is automatically renewable. If you are the foreign parent of a child at least 13 years old and resident in France since eight years old, you can claim French citizenship on their behalf in front of a magistrate. Vous pouvez ainsi éviter … If the prefecture is not close to your place of residence, you … However, while you share many of the same rights as French citizens, you don’t share them all. Permanent residence permits are valid for up to 10 years and can be renewed if the beneficiary chooses to. Unlike visas, residence permits are only issued in France. After living in France for five years – or less in some cases – you can apply for French citizenship. You can apply immediately for French citizenship, without the five-year waiting period, if you: If a foreign-born person is the child of a French parent, citizenship may be obtained as of right by petitioning for a French nationality certificate. Family Visa for France In relation to the temporary residency permit, non-French, non-EU, and non-EEA nationals with family ties to a French resident can apply for … Permanent resident card - Applying, renewing, replacing. The same thing applies to non-EU citizens. The world is yours to explore and we want to help you pursuing this goal! Although the steps involved in getting a permanent residency in France are somewhat complicated, we will try to break down the entire process for you. The application costs €55; see the procedure, where to apply, and application form here (in French). You need to fulfill certain requirements, depending on … It's a simplified procedure but they'll need to present proof that they've been legally resident for 5 years. Have a cookie The European Union is introducing new requirements & reforms that will make it more difficult for Non-EU citizens to obtain a Schengen visa and visit the EU. Expatica uses technology such as cookies and scripts to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic. If you fulfill the above, you can apply for French citizenship at your local préfecture. Foreign nationals whose native countries are members of the EU, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland, have visa-free access to France. you have a good knowledge of the French language. Read more on the right to reside in the EU of your family members. The documents required for this application have been listed below: All applications for French permanent residency are done at any local French town hall. As a result, you enjoy freedom of movement throughout EU member states. The process can take up to two years. For example, if you cannot prove you lived together continuously in France for at least three years since your wedding. Anyone who meets the conditions of French citizenship via birth also has right to permanent residence. How do I renew my permanent resident card? If you are married to a French national for more than three years you can apply for permanent residence immediately, even if you have not lived in France during your marriage. They then receive citizenship at 18 years old if France was their main residence for five consecutive years since the age of 11. Read the conditions. If you married abroad, before acquiring citizenship your marriage must be registered in the French civil registry. Acquiring Spanish citizenship by marriage, Advantages and disadvantages of living in Australia, Reasons why France is the best place to move to, European passport via business in Slovenia, What you have to know about VAT in France. You may change your settings at any time. After living for five continuous years in France, you may be able to apply for a 10-year, renewable long-term EC card or French citizenship through nationalization. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. If you want to live in France long term or even permanently, you may be eligible to apply for French permanent residence or French citizenship after five years of living in France. A French permanent residence permit allows you to stay in France for 10 years. If you are an expat that would like to reside in France for as long as possible, then you’ll need to obtain your permanent residency permit. It depends on the reason for your application. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. Examples of exceptions include serious illness, maternity, military service, study, or research. French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, and Mayotte). You can also naturalize a minor if one parent has French citizenship and lived in France for more than five years. Copies of ID of the applicant and spouse; Birth certificate (with a certified translation if not in French); Marriage certificate obtained within the last three months; Evidence of the relationship such as birth certificates of the spouses’ children, a mortgage contract, joint tax notice, property deeds, or shared bank account; Proof of the spouse being a French citizen at the time of marriage; Evidence that you don’t have a criminal record; Marriage certificates from any previous marriages and official divorce papers; Proof that you lived in France for at least three years since your marriage (if you lived abroad, a document proving you resided in France for at least three years after your marriage or a document proving your spouse’s registration in the French registry during your time abroad); Proof of employment or financial support. , maternity, military service, study, or research nations in Europe any citizen! 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