Permanent Residence in France

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: July 2, 2025

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You can request to become a permanent resident in France if you have lived in the country for five years legally, or you hold two consecutive resident cards.

If you’ve been living in France for at least five consecutive years and are wondering about next steps, there are two main options for long-term stay: the French permanent resident card and the EU long-term residence card. Both are 10-year renewable permits that allow you to live and work in France without having to reapply every few years. But they follow quite different rules and suit different situations.

Should expats pursue the French permanent residence vs citizenship?

Like in Portugal and other European nations, permanent residence in France is different from citizenship (citizenship, in turn, is interchangeable with having the nationality or having a passport). You don’t become a French national with this card, but you do get a more stable status if you plan to live long-term in the country.

So, five years for the French permanent residence. This is the same time it takes you to request French citizenship. It’s yours to understand if you prefer one or the other (for tax reasons, for example), although expats who want to be able to work in Munich, Brussels or Madrid alike might want to seek citizenship instead.

What is a French permanent resident card?

The French permanent resident card, also called Carte de résident permanent, is offered to non-EU foreigners who have already held two consecutive resident cards or are over 60 and already hold a resident card. It grants the right to live and work in France long-term and doesn’t require you to prove income, housing, or integration at each renewal.

This card is called “permanent” because your rights are more stable—not because the card itself never expires. It’s still valid for 10 years and must be renewed, but with far less paperwork than other residence permits.

You can also switch to this card when your EU long-term residence card comes up for renewal, if you’ve been in France long enough and want to stay under the French national system rather than the EU-wide framework.

What is the EU long-term residence card?

The EU long-term residence card (carte de résident de longue durée-UE) is another 10-year renewable permit. You can apply for it if you’ve lived in France legally and continuously for at least 5 years under a qualifying residence status. This card also gives you the right to live and work in other EU countries, though conditions vary from country to country.

This path can be particularly suitable for expats and freelancers who have moved to France and shifted to a self-employed or business status. In fact, many people follow a path from a student visa to aself-employed residence card in order to build up the time needed for permanent residency.

Note that if you leave France for more than 6 consecutive years, your EU long-term residence card becomes invalid.

What are the benefits of a French permanent resident card?

Both the French permanent resident card and the EU long-term residence card allow you to live and work in France with fewer bureaucratic steps. You won’t need to reapply every year or two, and you’ll have a more stable legal status if you plan to stay long term.

The French permanent resident card is the simpler of the two when it comes to renewals. Once you have it, you no longer need to prove income, housing, or ongoing integration. This can make a big difference if you’ve already built your life in France and don’t want to keep gathering paperwork for every renewal.

The EU long-term residence card also gives you a 10-year renewable status in France, but with some added conditions. You’ll need to show proof of income, health insurance, and French language skills (A2 or higher) at each renewal. The main advantage of this card is mobility — it gives you the right to live and work in certain other EU countries, though each country sets its own rules.

For both cards, being a long-term resident in France can help with everyday things like renting an apartment, getting a mortgage, or applying for a loan. It indicates that you’re legally settled and stable. That said, it does not make you a French citizen, so you’ll still need to apply separately if you want to get a French passport.

When can you apply for a French permanent resident card?

The timing depends on which card you’re aiming for:

• EU long-term residence card: You can apply once you’ve lived in France for 5 uninterrupted years under a qualifying residence permit. The five-year clock usually does not include time spent on a student visa or APS. Years on a qualifying permit like the European Blue Card or the Talent Passport do count.
• French permanent resident card: You can apply once you’ve held two 10-year resident cards in a row, or if you’re over 60 and already hold a 10-year resident card. You can also switch to this card when your EU long-term residence card comes up for renewal.

For both options, your application must be submitted online between 4 and 2 months before your current card expires. If you apply late, you may have to pay a regularisation fee.

What documents are required to apply for a French permanent resident card?

The documents are largely the same for both cards, with some small differences depending on your path. In general, you’ll need:

• Full copy of your birth certificate with recent annotations
• Valid passport (pages showing civil status, visas, and entry stamps)
• Proof of address less than 6 months old
• Digital passport photo with signature (an e-photo code)
• Proof of French language proficiency (A2 or higher on the CEFR scale). If you’re over 65, this is not required
• Signed commitment to respect the principles of the French Republic
• Proof of legal and uninterrupted residence in France for the required time
• Proof of income (for the EU long-term card)
• Proof of health insurance (for the EU long-term card)

If you’ve been away from France for more than 3 consecutive years (or 6 years in the case of the EU long-term card), your card may no longer be valid or you may not qualify.

All documents must be submitted via the official online platform (ANEF). No paper files are accepted.

What are the French permanent residence permit fees?

The fees are different depending on your situation. The main fee is around €225. However, if you submit the application late (outside the 2–4 month window before your card expires), you’ll have to pay an additional €180 fee for regularisation via a tax stamp.

It might be useful to note that fees are non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.

Can your family members get permanent residency?

Yes. If your spouse, dependent parents, or children under 18 have been living in France with you and have valid residence permits, they may also apply for permanent residency once they meet the time and integration requirements. Like you, they’ll need to apply online and submit their own documentation.

If your family joined you through family reunification, they may be eligible for permanent residency after five uninterrupted years in France under a qualifying permit. Spouses of French citizens can apply after three years of legal marriage and residence in France. Parents of French children may also qualify if they contribute to the child's support and education and hold custody or visitation rights.

In all cases, family members are not granted permanent residence automatically. They must meet the same general conditions: proof of language proficiency (unless exempt due to age), long-term legal stay, and integration into French life.

What if your application is rejected?

If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal. First, you can file an informal appeal to the prefecture that issued the decision. If that doesn’t work, you can take the matter to the administrative court within two months of the rejection.

Keep in mind that most rejections happen due to missing documentation or not meeting the language or residency requirements, so make sure everything is correct and up to date before submitting your application.

Get help from an immigration expert

Both cards simplify life in France, but the application process still involves paperwork and deadlines. If you’re not sure whether you qualify or how to prove your income or time spent in France, it might help to talk to an immigration adviser or someone who has already gone through the process.

For expats, the EU long-term residence card is often a more straightforward route—especially if you’ve already built up five years in France on a work-related permit. For others with more time in the country, the French permanent resident card can offer more stability. Either way, you’ll still need to meet all the eligibility criteria before you get there.

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