Have you been living in France for some time and would like to obtain a permanent residence card without any complications ? Learn everything you need to know about the permanent residence card in France in less than 5 minutes!
Who can apply?
Obtaining a permanent resident card is possible in various cases. Indeed, you are eligible if:
- You have a 10-year residence card.
- You have an EU long-term resident card that will soon expire.
In other specific cases, the permanent residence card is automatically offered:
- You have been granted a residence card twice in a row.
- You are over 60 years old.
- If you are a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you are not obliged to make this request, although it is recommended to have access to all the benefits of the latter.
- If you are retired and wish to reside in France, you can obtain a retired resident card.
Where and when to apply?
If you are eligible for this card, you must then apply for a card. You must apply at your prefecture or sub-prefecture within two months of the expiry date of your current residence permit. Note that some prefectures offer the possibility of making your appointment online several months in advance. Therefore, do not book your appointment at the last minute in order to avoid missing the expiry date of your current residence permit.
You should also be aware that if you apply after the deadline, you will have to pay a regularisation visa fee of 180 euros, which will be added to the price of the permanent residence card.
What does the residence card entitle you to?
Thanks to the resident card in France, you will be able to reside and work in France for an indefinite period. Indeed, the latter will allow you to carry out a professional activity as well as access to various indispensable daily utilities such as the opening of a bank account, or the subscription to an insurance.
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Documents to provide
In order to obtain this card, once the appointment has been made, you will have to compile your file. Here is what to include in your file:
- Identity document.
- Valid residence permit (and birth certificate in some cases).
- 3 passport photos.
- Proof of address less than 3 months old.
- Proof of payment of stamp duty .
Subsequently, depending on your personal situation and on your prefecture’s requirements, you will have to complete your file with other elements. Here are some of the documents you will have to add depending on your situation:
- Married and from a country where polygamy is legal: you must provide a declaration of non-polygamy.
- Holder of a resident card: you will have to present a certificate on your honour declaring that you have not lived outside France for more than 3 years in a row over the last 10 years.
- Holder of an EU long-term resident card: you will have to present a statement on your honour declaring that :
- You have not lived outside the European Union for more than 3 consecutive years or more than 6 years outside France.
- You have obtained a long-term resident card in another EU country.
- No contract of republican integration: you will have to provide a diploma or certification of French language as well as a declaration on honour of respect of the main republican values.
How much does this residence permit cost?
This type of permit costs €225 (€200 of taxes and €25 of stamp duty), which should be paid by fiscal stamps. Note that if you have a resident card because you are holder of a work accident or occupational disease pension, you will only have to pay €75 (€50 of taxes and €25 of stamp duty).
Duration of validity
This card is valid for 10 years. Take note that if you live outside of France for more than 2 years in a row, you can lose your card.
The permanent residence permit for France is renewable without condition. Indeed, depending on your prefecture, you can do all the steps online to get an appointment, three months before your residence permit comes to an end.
If you need more information, do not hesitate to visit the website of the prefecture nearest you so that they can answer all your questions. Don’t waste any more time and make your request!
