Generally, permanent residency in France is for foreign nationals who have lived in France for at least five years. Furthermore, some peculiar conditions affect eligibility status and application procedures. For instance, spouses and children of French citizens can apply for a permanent residence card in merely three years. This PR status comes with a lot of additional benefits, and as such, many expats apply to obtain it. Moreover, the selection process is impartial. Your application will get approved as long as you are eligible and follow the stipulated guidelines to get accepted. If you need help in moving to France, read our post about France Immigration and Visa types. Join us as we gather essential information on France's permanent residency and learn how to secure it.Â
The French Permanent Residence Card
You must apply for a long-stay visa if you want to live and work in France. This visa allows you to work for over a year in the country but only within a particular field. Many other restrictions apply as well. Moreover, after living in the country for three to five years with no criminal record, you can move forward to apply for a permanent residence card. With this, you get even more access to amenities and more freedom to travel out of the country.
This permanent residence card is a common alternative to French citizenship for foreign nationals looking to settle in France. It allows immigrants to stay in France indefinitely and access most public services. Moreover, residents from other European Union (EU) countries or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) do not need to apply for a residence card to enjoy these benefits. Also, if they choose to apply, the process is usually easier and faster for them.
Alternatively, immigrants from other countries that are not under any trade/border agreement with France must apply for a permanent residence card to settle in France. Only Algerians are exempt from this. The permanent resident card is not available for Algerians; instead they will get a 10-year residence certificate (certificat de résidence de 10 ans – personne de nationalité algérienne).
Difference Between Citizenship and Permanent Residence in France
Citizenship and permanent residency in France are similar in terms of requirements, application process, and benefits. Regarding requirements, for instance, the same three to five years mandatory stay applies to both programs. Also, applicants must have integrated into French society to qualify. However, citizens can access more social benefits and run for political positions, while permanent residents cannot. Another significant addition for citizens is that they get French passports and can travel out of the country for as long as they want.
On the other hand, permanent residency has certain peculiar benefits over citizenship. Aside from the freedom to live, work, and study indefinitely in France, there are few concrete reasons for foreign nationals to pick this over citizenship. Additionally, it brings expats a step closer to citizenship. Now, let’s look at other benefits that are peculiar to permanent residents.
The Benefits of French Permanent Residency
There are lots of reasons to settle in France. The most notable advantage of permanent residence over citizenship is that you get most of the citizenship benefits without giving up your other citizenship. This is particularly for nationals from countries that do not support dual citizenship. As a plus, you get complete access to the best tourist attractions in Paris. Other benefits that come with permanent residency in France are as follows:
1. They can study any course at any level of education they choose. They also have access to the social amenities in public schools.
2. As a permanent resident, you can take up employment and work in any field as long as you are qualified for the role.
3. PR card holders can set up private businesses in France and employ others to work for them. This must be done within guidelines set up by the responsible labor bodies.
4. They get access to welfare benefits and the French public healthcare system.
5. Permanent residents can buy properties and take out mortgages in France.
6. With a permanent residence card, you can travel in and out of the country whenever you want. However, you cannot stay out of the country for most of every year to qualify for French citizenship.
7. You can quickly get citizenship if you have to represent France in international competitions.
Types of Permanent Residence Cards in France
In France, all visas, residence cards, and other immigration-related inquiries go through the Ministry of the Interior (Ministère de l’Intérieur). This body issues three types of permanent residence cards to foreigners, depending on their country of origin and eligibility. These permanent resident cards are not to be confused with temporary resident cards.
The major difference between them is their duration of stay renewal procedures. Temporary permits are valid for between one and four years, while permanent permits last for ten years. The latter are also typically easier to renew.
The three types of permanent residence cards in France are described as follows:
A. Ten-year Resident Card for Foreigners – carte de résident de 10 ans d’un étranger
This kind of PR card has all the benefits associated with permanent residency in France and is valid for ten years. EU/EFTA and non-EU/EFTA nationals are eligible for this card. You must apply to renew it after every decade to keep staying legally in the country.
B. Long-term EU Resident Card Рcarte de r̩sident de longue dur̩e-UE
This permit is specifically for non-EU/EFTA nationals. The long-term EU resident card allows them to live in France for ten years and visit most other EU/EFTA countries without a visa. It also requires renewal after every decade.
C. Permanent Resident Card Рcarte de r̩sident permanent
Both EU/EFTA and non-EU/EFTA nationals can get unconditional and permanent residence in France as long as they have no criminal records and adhere to the eligibility guidelines. You can only get this card after you’ve already had a 10-year resident card or long-term EU card. The permits are usually valid for ten years, but you can renew these indefinitely. That means you can remain in France as long as you renew your card.
How to Get Permanent Residency in France
The eligibility factors for permanent residency in France directly control the application procedure and requirements. Therefore, the documents you are required to submit with your application depend on your eligibility status and country of origin. Let’s identify the eligibility factors and requirements together.
A. Non-EU/EFTA Nationals
More documents are demanded from non-EU/EFTA nationals. Even Algerians have to go through a similar process for their 10-year residence certificate instead. To qualify for a permanent residence card as a non-EU/EFTA national, you must be at least one of the following:
1. You must have lived in France for at least five years. Or three years on a family visa.
2. You must be the spouse of a French citizen for at least three years. Or one year if you are a Tunisian national.
3. The parent of a French citizen who has lived in the country for at least three years.
4. The child of a French national (the maximum age for this is 21 years).
5. A dependent parent (in-law) of a French citizen who has lived in the country for up to three years.
6. A young person who is eligible for French citizenship by birth but doesn’t want to have the French nationality
Some applicants can get special consideration for permanent residency. In some cases, permanent resident cards can even be granted with the initial visa application. You must be one of the following to be considered:
1. A refugee or one who has been granted humanitarian protection in France.
2. The holder of a French disability pension due to a work-related accident or illness.
3. The victim of domestic violence, human trafficking, or sexual exploitation.
4. A veteran of the French army or have served in the Foreign Legion for at least three years.
5. A retired person in France.
B. EU/EFTA Nationals
EU Nationals get the long-term EU resident card (carte de résident de longue durée-UE). However, if you move outside of France for six consecutive years, your existing long-term EU card will no longer be valid. To get an EU resident card, you must have lived in France for five consecutive years. These five years must have been uninterrupted, although some absences are allowed (a maximum absence of six straight months and a total absence of 10 months).
If you have an EU Blue Card, you must prove that you’ve lived – uninterrupted – in an EU country for five years, including two years in France. Periods of absence past those five years you’ve lived in the EU are allowed. If you are a refugee or a beneficiary of subsidiary protection, you also should have lived in France for a period of five years. This is counted from the date that you submitted your asylum application.
C. British/UK Citizens
After leaving the EU, UK citizens have become non-EU/EFTA nationals and will need to keep to a different set of rules. You can remain in the country if you are a UK national living in France and have signed the Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP). It grants you the same rights as EU/EFTA citizens. However, if you haven’t signed a WARP, you’ll need to apply for a resident card like all other non-EU/EFTA nationals.
How to Apply for the French Permanent Residence Cards
Applications can be submitted through your local préfecture or the police préfecture in Paris. You must apply at least two months before your current visa or residence permit expires. Every applicant is required to submit certain documents. Also, the immigration authorities may demand extra documents to back your application. All documents should be supplied in French or English. Documents in other languages need to be translated into French using a certified translation service.
Additionally, some applicants don’t have to meet the language or integration requirements, such as children of French nationals or army veterans. Refugees, victims of violence or human trafficking, and people with a disability pension are also exempt from the majority of requirements.
Required Documents
The following are the typical documents applicants must include when submitting their applications.
1. A valid travel passport or photo ID. Photocopies of pages from previous passports should also be added.
2. Three passport-size photos.
3. Proof of address (for instance, a recent bank statement, tenancy agreement, or utility bill with your address on it)
4. Your existing visa or residence permit.
5. Proof that you meet any required residence period (photocopies of your previous passports may cover this).
6. Evidence that you meet the criteria for your application (a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or refugee status, depending on your eligibility factor).
7. Proof of French citizenship for anyone connected with your application.
8. Language proficiency certificate. This is proof that you meet French language requirements (at least A2 level). This doesn’t apply if you are 65 or over.
9. Medical certificate from the French Office for Immigration and Integration (L’office Français de l’immigration et de l’intégration, OFII).
10. Proof of integration into French society (for instance, a signed Republican Integration Contract).
Application Cost
Generally, you only have to pay the application fee of €225 when applying, and it must be paid with tax stamps. This fee is discounted for holders of a French disability pension (€75), refugees, and army veterans (€25). Furthermore, victims of domestic violence, trafficking, or pimping are not required to pay any fee. The application is free for them. However, service costs (like translation costs) are compulsory but affordable for everyone where applicable.
Permanent Residence Card Renewal
When your permanent residence card is set to expire, you can renew it at your local préfecture or the police préfecture in Paris. In all cases, the renewal is €225. Depending on your country of origin, you can also decide to switch to a permanent resident card.
How to Handle a Rejected Application
If you want to appeal a rejected application or you haven’t heard back within four months of submitting your application, you can ask for an administrative review from either your local préfecture or the Ministry of the Interior. Decisions on permanent residence applications normally take around two to three months. You need to file this request within two months of the decision or six months if you haven’t received a response.
If you are unhappy with the outcome, you can escalate your appeal to the Administrative Justice (justice administrative) within two months of receiving your decision. Asking for a review and appealing to the courts are both free. However, you might need to pay legal fees if you employ a lawyer (avocat) to represent you.
Conclusion
The process for obtaining permanent residency in France involves living in the country for at least five years with no criminal record. Furthermore, spouses and children of French citizens can apply for permanent residency in just three years. The permanent residence card offers numerous benefits and allows immigrants to stay in France indefinitely and access most public services. Residents from other EU countries or EFTA countries do not need to apply for a residence card. However, immigrants from other countries must apply for a permanent residence card, with the exception of Algerians, who receive a 10-year residence certificate instead.
