Can a European married or entered into a civil partnership to a Frenchman in France?
Verified 12 June 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
If you are a citizen of a European country or EEE or Switzerland and are married or entered into a civil partnership to a Frenchman, you have the possibility to live legally in France. You can get a residence card. However, this card is not mandatory. After 5 years of residence in France, you can apply to acquire a right to permanent residence. We present you the information to know. They differ depending on whether you are married or entered into a civil partnership.
In case of marriage
You can reside in France with your identity card or passport valid.
Unlike other European citizens, and because of your marriage, you no need to justify additional conditions, such as proof of sufficient resources, an employment contract or further education.
You can have a professional activity in France. However, you will not be able to occupy certain public jobs. If you wish to practice a regulated profession, you must check the conditions of exercise.
You do not have to apply for a residence card: it is optional. However, if you request it, the prefecture must examine your file.
This way you can get a map UE - all professional activities valid for 5 years. However, you must not represent a threat to public order.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication concerning your home (provided by any means)
- Full copy of the marriage certificate
- Valid national identity card of your spouse (or certificate of french nationality less than 6 months old)
- Declaration of honor signed by you and your spouse attesting to your life together
- Any documents to establish the community of life (lease agreement, water or electricity discharge, bank identity statement, tax documents...))
- 1 recent identity photograph (e-photo).
Find contact information for authorized photographers and authorized booths
Cost
Issuance and renewal of the residence card UE - all professional activities are free of charge.
Approach
The request is made on the internet:
When you submit your application for a residence permit on the internet, you will immediately receive a dematerialized certificate of deposit.
After 5 years of legal and continuous residence with your French spouse, you can obtain a right to permanent residence.
You can stay permanently in France. However, you must not represent a serious threat to public order.
You can then request a residence card UE - permanent residence - all professional activities.
Possession of this card is not mandatory.
This card is valid for 10 years and is renewable if necessary.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication concerning your home (provided by any means)
- Full copy of the marriage certificate
- Valid national identity card of your spouse (or certificate of french nationality less than 6 months old)
- Declaration of honor signed by you and your spouse attesting to your life together
- Any documents to establish the community of life (lease agreement, water or electricity discharge, bank identity statement, tax documents...))
- Supporting documents for the following 5 previous years:
- Stay in France (receipts of rent or charges, invoices, etc.)
- Continuity of life together with your French spouse (documents from administrations, tax documents or private organizations, bank identity statement)
- 1 recent identity photograph (e-photo)
Find contact information for authorized photographers and authorized booths
Cost
Issuance and renewal of the residence card UE - all professional activities are free of charge.
Approach
The request is made on the internet:
When you submit your application for a residence permit on the internet, you will immediately receive a dematerialized certificate of deposit.
In case of Civil partnerships
You can reside in France with your identity card or passport valid.
Unlike other European citizens, and because of your Civil partnerships: titleContent , you have no need to justify additional conditions, such as proof of sufficient resources, an employment contract or further education).
You can have a professional activity in France. However, you will not be able to occupy certain public jobs. If you wish to practice a regulated profession, you must check the conditions of exercise.
You do not have to hold a residence card. However, if you request it, the prefecture must examine your file.
You can then request a card UE - all professional activities. However, you must not represent a threat to public order.
You must prove at least 1 year of living together (in France and/or abroad) with your French partner.
Your card has a validity period of 1 year minimum (renewable) and 5 years maximum.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication concerning your domicile: provided by any means
- Valid national identity card of your Civil partnership partner (or certificate of french nationality less than 6 months old)
- Proof of your length of common life over a minimum of 1 year with your partner (loan, common housing, joint account, etc.) for the 1re delivery and if necessary, for renewals, of the continuity of your life together
- 1 recent identity photograph (e-photo).
Find contact information for authorized photographers and authorized booths
Cost
Issuance and renewal of the residence card UE - all professional activities are free of charge.
Approach
The request is made on the internet:
When you submit your application for a residence permit on the internet, you will immediately receive a dematerialized certificate of deposit.
After 5 years of legal and continuous residence in France with your partner Civil partnerships: titleContent french, you can get a right to permanent residence.
You can stay permanently in France. However, you must not represent a serious threat to public order.
You must be able to prove the continuity of your residence and your right to stay in a personal capacity over the previous 5 years.
You can request a residence card UE - permanent residence - all professional activities.
Possession of this card is also optional.
This card is valid for 10 years and is renewable.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication concerning your domicile: provided by any means
- Valid national identity card of your partner (or certificate of french nationality less than 6 months old)
- Supporting documents over the previous 5 years of the following elements:
- Stay in France (receipts of rent or charges, invoices, etc.),
- Living together with your French partner (common invoices, joint housing loan certificate, joint account, etc.) except for periods covered by a residence permit (you will always be asked for the supporting documents relating to the last year)
- 1 recent identity photograph (e-photo).
Find contact information for authorized photographers and authorized booths
Cost
Issuance and renewal of the residence card UE - all professional activities are free of charge.
Approach
The request is made on the internet:
When you submit your application for a residence permit on the internet, you will immediately receive a dematerialized certificate of deposit.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Administrative information by telephone - Allô Service Public
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Please note: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their progress.
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- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
- Service free
The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.