What does a British or family member have to do to live in France?
Verified 13 February 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Withdrawal Agreement, which entered into force on 1er February 2020, lays down specific provisions for the right of residence of UK citizens. The rules differ depending on your situation.
You retain your acquired rights as a European citizen.
This also applies to your family members.
In the application of the withdrawal agreement, you had to apply for a specific residence permit "withdrawal agreement of the United Kingdom from the EUbefore 4 October 2021.
However, you can still apply for a residence permit"withdrawal agreement of the United Kingdom from the EU". You must have a legitimate reason justifying the late submission of your application (health reasons, cases of force majeure, difficulties to return to France due to the pandemic, professional reasons for example).
If you arrived before 31 December 2020 when you were a minor, you will need to apply for a residence permit"withdrawal agreement of the United Kingdom from the EUwithin one year of your 18the birthday.
You must make your request on the website of your prefecture or sub-prefecture (if you are in Paris, on the website of the police prefecture).
You want to join a UK family member who is a beneficiary of the withdrawal agreement.
You are affected if you are:
- The family bond existed before the 1er january 2021 and you are in one of the following situations: direct descendant under 21 years of age (or dependent on the british national you are joining) or dependent direct ascendant or spouse or partner in a duly certified long-term relationship or dependent ascendant or descendant of her spouse
- You are a child born after the 1er January 2021 of a UK beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement or have been legally adopted after 1er january 2021
FYI
the family link must always exist at the time of application for a residence permit.
How to apply for the residence card?
You must submit your application for a residence card to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home (inquire on the prefecture's website).
This request must be made within 3 months your entry into France or, for people who have just reached their majority, in the year following their 18thè birthday.
What documents are to be provided?
You must provide the following:
- Valid passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Residence permit if you have one (even if it has expired)
- 3 photos.
If the request is made on the internet: enter the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the approved cabin on the photo board).
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
- Proof of your family relationship, registered partnership or cohabitation relationship duly certified with a UK national who is a beneficiary of the withdrawal agreement (links prior to 1er January 2021, unless you are the child of a UK national under the Withdrawal Agreement or of their spouse)
- Proof of current residence in France
- Residence permit of the British national who is the beneficiary of the withdrawal agreement with whom you have a family connection
- Proof that you have been taken over by the UK national who is the beneficiary of the withdrawal agreement with which you are linked, only if you are:
- Child over 21 years of age of a UK national who is a beneficiary of the withdrawal agreement or that of his/her spouse
- Father or mother of a British national who is a beneficiary of the withdrawal agreement or of his spouse
- If you arrived in France during your minority: proof establishing the date of your installation in France
How is the residence card issued?
The card is given to you by the prefecture or sub-prefecture of your residence (depending on the place where your application is filed).
What is the cost of the residence card?
The residence card is free.
What is the period of validity of the residence card?
The validity of the card is 5 years.
It is 10 years in case of stay in France for more than 5 years.
You are not covered by the United Kingdom’s withdrawal agreement from the European Union.
You must hold a residence permit not deriving from these provisions.
At the end of its validity, you will have to request its renewal in the prefecture.
You must complete the procedure on the website of your prefecture or sub-prefecture.
You must request a long-stay visa at the French consular services in the United Kingdom.
This visa will allow you to obtain a residence permit in the prefecture.
You must request a long-stay visa at the French consular services in the United Kingdom.
This visa will allow you to obtain a residence permit in the prefecture.
The length of your stay in France for at least 5 years allows you to apply for a residence card bearing the words “Permanent residence - Article 50 TEU/Article 18(1) Agreement on withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU”. This card is valid for 10 years.
How to apply for the residence card?
You must submit your application for a residence card to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home (inquire on the prefecture's website).
This request must be made within 2 months before the expiry of your 5-year residence permit.
What documents are to be provided?
You must provide the following:
- Valid passport
- Proof of domicile
- 3 identity photos
- Residence permit ending in validity
- In case of a change in your situation (divorce, marriage, widowhood): proof of this change.
How is the residence card issued?
The card is given to you by the prefecture or sub-prefecture of your residence (depending on the place where your application is filed).
What is the cost of the residence card?
The residence card is free.
What is the period of validity of the residence card?
The residence card is valid for 10 years.
Prime Minister