Residence card of a European student
Verified 06 November 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
If you are a citizen European and come to study in France, you do not need a residence card to live in France. However, you can request one. The regulations vary depending on your time in France.
The first 5 years
Step-by-step approach
You are concerned if you fill all of the following conditions :
- To be European
- Be enrolled in a private or public institution to study in France
- Have health insurance
- Have sufficient resources for you and your accompanying family members.
You must make your request on the internet :
When you submit your application for a residence permit on the internet, you will immediately receive a dematerialized certificate of deposit.
This certificate is not a provisional residence document. It does not justify the regularity of your stay.
- Valid identity document or passport
- Proof of enrollment in an educational institution for the main purpose of study or vocational training
- Certificate of coverage by health insurance and, possibly, maternity (for the 1re year of stay, the european health insurance card or the european form for continuity of care in the country of origin may be accepted)
- Statement (or equivalent) that you have sufficient resources for you and your family members, if they accompany you
- e-photo : enter the e-photo code (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board). If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
Issuance of the residence card UE citizen/EEE/Switzerland is free of charge.
The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.
In most prefectures, you need to make an appointment.
Learn more about the website of the prefecture.
The validity period of the card is equivalent to the remaining period for obtaining the diploma prepared by the student. It cannot exceed 5 years.
Application for the residence card
You must submit your application on the Internet at the earliest 4 months and at the latest 2 months before the end of validity of your residence card.
When you submit your application for a residence permit on the internet, you will immediately receive a dematerialized certificate of deposit.
This certificate is not a provisional residence document. It does not justify the regularity of your stay.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Proof of enrollment in an educational institution for the main purpose of study or vocational training
- Certificate of coverage by health insurance and, possibly, maternity (for the 1re year of stay, the european health insurance card or the european form for continuity of care in the country of origin may be accepted)
- A statement (or equivalent) that you have sufficient resources for you and your family members, if they accompany you.
- e-photo : enter the e-photo code (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board). If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
Cost of the residence card
Renewal of the residence card UE citizen/EEE/Switzerland is free.
Delivery of the residence card
The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.
In most prefectures, you need to make an appointment. Learn more about the website of the prefecture.
Period of validity of the residence card
The validity period of the card is equivalent to the remaining period for obtaining the diploma prepared by the student. It cannot exceed 5 years.
After
After 5 years of legal and continuous stay in France, you can apply for a residence card UE/EEE/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities.
This card allows you to certify that you have the right to live in France permanently and to exercise any professional activity.
It facilitates your administrative procedures: the administration will no longer have to ask you to prove that you have sufficient resources and health insurance.
Step-by-step approach
You are concerned if you fill all of the following conditions :
- To be European
- Have pursued studies in France for 5 continuous years
- Continue to live in France (whether or not you are a student).
Warning
If you do not prove that you have been in France for the entire 5 years, you will not be able to obtain the residence card UE/EEE/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities. You will then have a Residence Card Citizen UE/ EEE/ Switzerland-Student.
You must make the request on the internet :
When you submit your application for a residence permit on the internet, you will immediately receive a dematerialized certificate of deposit.
This certificate is not a provisional residence document. It does not justify the regularity of your stay.
- Valid identity document or passport
- Proofs of the continuity of your stay for 5 years in France: 1 document per semester (receipts of rent or charges, invoices, etc.)
- Proof of your right to stay in France for the previous 5 years (proof of continuing studies, health insurance, the reality of the resources possessed during the previous 5 years: bank balance certificates, etc.).
- e-photo : enter the e-photo code (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board). If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
Issuance of the card UE/EEE/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities is free of charge.
The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.
In most prefectures, you need to make an appointment. Learn more about the website of the prefecture.
If your right to stay is permanent, the card is only valid 10 years. It must therefore be renewed before the end of its validity.
Application for the residence card
You must submit your application on the Internet at the earliest 4 months and at the latest 2 months before the end of validity of your residence card.
When you submit your application for a residence permit on the internet, you will immediately receive a dematerialized certificate of deposit.
This certificate is not a provisional residence document. It does not justify the regularity of your stay.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Proofs of the continuity of your stay for 5 years in France: 1 document per semester (receipts of rent or charges, invoices, etc.)
- Proof of your right to stay in France for the previous 5 years (proof of continuing studies, health insurance, the reality of the resources possessed during the previous 5 years: bank balance certificates, etc.).
- e-photo : enter the e-photo code (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board). If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
Cost of the residence card
Renewal of the card UE/EEE/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities is free.
Delivery of the residence card
The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.
In most prefectures, you need to make an appointment. Learn more about the website of the prefecture.
Period of validity of the residence card
The card is valid 10 years. It is renewable.
Right to permanent residence
Residence permit mention " UE citizen/EEE/Switzerland - All professional activities "
Residence card mention " UE citizen/EEE/Switzerland - Permanent stay - All professional activities "