UK citizens in France

For your information, please find below the latest update from the British Government on Visas and Residency for UK nationals living or moving to France:

If you were legally resident in France before 1 January 2021, you must apply online for the new residency permit before 1 July 2021, in line with the Withdrawal Agreement. You need to have your new residency permit before 1 October 2021. All UK nationals resident in France need to apply for the new residency permit. This includes UK nationals:

• with a European carte de séjour (even if it is marked “permanent”, or has no expiry date)
• without a European carte de séjour (it was previously optional)
• applying for a second nationality
• married to or in a civil partnership with (known as PACSed) FR or other EU nationals

Each person must make a separate application. Children under 18 do not need to apply, unless they need a residency permit to work or will turn 18 close to the application deadline.

If you have been living in France for over 5 years, you will be eligible for permanent residency and a 10-year renewable residency permit.

If you have been living in France for fewer than 5 years, you will be eligible for a card with 5 years’ validity. You will need to provide evidence of your personal situation (as a worker, self-sufficient person, student, job seeker, British family member, British spouse of a French national). Read the flowchart on the application website which shows what documents you need to provide.

If you applied for residency via the previous ‘no-deal’ website, you do not need to re-apply. Your application will be processed by the appropriate Préfecture before 1 October 2021. However if you have moved to a different Departement since applying, you must apply again.

You should:

• read the French government’s guidance for UK nationals (in English)
• read our detailed guidance on the residency registration process
• download this informative note about the Withdrawal Agreement which may be helpful to present to local authorities

For more information, see the British Embassy's Facebook FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on residency page: https://www.facebook.com/notes/british-embassy-paris/top-ten-faqs-on-residency/3681292705262431/, the French government’s guidance for UK nationals (in English), and the French Interior Ministry’s website on how to secure your residency rights (in French).