Our 5 Most-Asked Questions About French Visas & Residency

A long-stay visa is the first step to permanent residency in France, but there are many different long-stay visas available, and they all have different eligibility criteria. We’ll talk you through the most popular types, including the temporary long-stay visa for second-home owners, work visas, and the visitor long-stay visa. Most importantly, we’ll go over the eligibility requirements, such as health insurance and sufficient income.

To get you started, check out our articles on French Long-Stay Visas: Categories, Eligibility, & Application Process and French Long-Stay Visas: Which Health Insurance Do You Need?

If your spouse is an EU citizen, you have the right to join them in France, but there are some differences depending on whether your spouse is a French citizen or a citizen of another EU country. Read our articles French Residency: Can I Join My EU Spouse or Family Member in France? and Reader Question of the Month: Can I Travel to France With My EU Spouse? for the basics.

Since Brexit, moving to France has become much more difficult for UK residents, but it is definitely still possible! You will, however, need to apply for the relevant long-stay visa and follow the same procedure as all other non-EU citizens—we’ll talk you through the process in our webinar. One thing that is important to remember is that while France’s doors remain open for UK citizens, there is no “special treatment” for Brits, so you’ll need to make sure you get your paperwork in order and fulfil all the eligibility criteria. Our article Retiring to France from the UK After Brexit: Residency, Healthcare & Pensions is a good place to start for UK retirees or refer to Q4 below.

There are several different steps you’ll need to take to become legally resident in France, and almost all of them start with applying for a long-stay visa. We’ll take you through the basic steps, how long it takes, what a Carte de Séjour or Titre de Séjour is, and whether or not you are a suitable candidate. Reading our articles The Road to Permanent Residency in France: A Step by Step Overview and Becoming a French Resident: How to Apply for a Carte de Séjour is a good first step.

Another one of our most frequently asked questions concerns the famous “90 out of 180-day rule” which applies to all non-EU/EEA citizens visiting France and/or other Schengen Area countries. Our article Confused About the EU’s 90/180 Day Rule? Here’s How it Works covers how it works, but we’ll be taking you through the common mistakes that people make and a top tip for calculating how many days you have left.

Our Moving to France: Visas and Residency webinar will be held on Thursday, 13th October 4:00pm UK Time (GMT+1) and I’ll be putting all your most frequently asked questions regarding French visas and residency to our expert advisor from French Connections HCB. Sign up for the free webinar here.