Long-term stay of a European in France

Entry into France

To enter France, you must comply with the following 2 obligations:

• Have a valid identity document or passport
• Do not represent a threat to public order.

Conditions of stay

To have a right to stay as a worker, you must be able to justify the exercise of a professional activity in France.

However, even if you no longer work, you may still have the right to stay in certain situations, including:

• Temporary incapacity in case of illness or accident
• Involuntary unemployment.

Request for residence card

You do not have to have a residence permit.

However, you have the right to request a Residence card EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen - All professional activities.

Right to permanent residence

After 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, you get a right to permanent residence.

You can prove your right to stay for the previous 5 years by any means (employment contract, unemployment certificate, registration in the trade and businesses register, etc.).

You then no longer need to justify the conditions of your stay (worker status or not).

You can stay permanently in France, provided you do not represent a serious threat to public order.

You can request a residence card EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen - Permanent residence - All professional activitiesBut it's not mandatory.

You lose your right to permanent residence if you are absent from France for more than 2 consecutive years.

Some absences are allowed:

• Temporary absences not exceeding 6 months per year
• Absences for the performance of military obligations
• Absence of up to 12 consecutive months for a major reason such as a serious illness, studies or a professional secondment abroad for example.

Entry into France

To enter France you must comply with the following 2 obligations:

• Have a valid identity document or passport
• Do not represent a threat to public order.

Conditions of stay

You must meet the following 3 conditions:

• Be enrolled in an institution to pursue, as a principal, education or vocational training
• Have health and maternity insurance
• Ensure that you have sufficient resources for yourself and, possibly, for your family members, so as not to become a burden on the French social assistance system.

Your educational institution can be public or private. It must operate in accordance with regulatory conditions (including approval or registration with the rectorate).

Request for residence card

You do not have to have a residence permit.

However, you have the right to request a european student residence card.

Right to permanent residence

After 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, you can obtain a right to permanent residence.

You must prove your right to stay for the previous 5 years by any means (for example, university enrollment, bank statements, previous tax notices).

You then no longer need to justify the conditions of your stay (studies, resources).

You can stay permanently in France, provided you do not represent a serious threat to public order.

You can request a residence card EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen - Permanent residence - All professional activities, it is optional.

You can prove the continuity of your stay over the 5 years by any means (for example, regarding your resources: bank statements, various administrative documents and tax notices).

You lose your right to permanent residence if you are absent from France for more than 2 consecutive years.

Some absences are allowed:

• Temporary absences not exceeding 6 months per year
• Absences for the performance of military obligations
• Absence of up to 12 consecutive months for an important reason such as pregnancy, serious illness or studies.

Entry into France

To enter France, you must comply with the following 2 obligations:

• Have a valid identity document or passport
• Do not represent a threat to public order.

Conditions of stay

As an inactive or retired person, you must meet the following 2 conditions:

• Have health and maternity insurance
• Have sufficient resources not to become a burden in the French social assistance system.

Your right to stay over these 5 years can be proved by any means (for example regarding your resources: bank statements, various administrative documents and tax notices).

You must have sufficient resources. The amount depends on your personal situation.

The administration cannot require your resources to exceed the following amounts:

Request for residence card

You do not have to have a residence permit, as the application is optional.

However, you have the right to request a EU/EEA/Switzerland Citizen Residence Card - Not active.

Right to permanent residence

After 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, you can apply for a right to permanent residence.

You can prove your right to stay for the previous 5 years by any means (bank statements).

You then no longer need to justify the conditions of your stay (resources).

You can stay permanently in France, provided that you do not present a serious threat to public order.

You can request a residence card EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen - Permanent residence - All professional activitiesNo, it's not mandatory.

You can prove the continuity of your stay over the 5 years by any means (for example, regarding your resources: bank statements, various administrative documents and tax notices ...).

You lose your right to permanent residence if you are absent from France for more than 2 consecutive years.

Some absences are allowed:

• Temporary absences not exceeding 6 months per year
• Absences for the performance of military obligations
• Absence of up to 12 consecutive months for an important reason such as a serious illness.