Can you settle elsewhere in Europe with a French residence permit?

Verified 06 September 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Yes, if you have a credit card long-term resident - EU, you can settle in another European country, subject to conditions. You do not need an entry visa in 2nd Member State, but you do not need a residence card : you must request a new card in 2nd Member State.

Please note that the rules are specific if you are an employee posted to provide cross-border services or if you are cross-border service provider.

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General case

Your status as long-term resident authorizes you, under certain conditions, to reside in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

But if you want to work there, your host country can make it a condition of your employment. authorisation depending on the labor market situation.

In addition, some countries have quotas, which limit the number of residence permits issued to foreigners.

You must apply for a residence permit in your new European country of residence, at the latest 3 months after your entry.

You can also request it, under certain conditions, before your departure from France. Ask the competent authorities in your new country.

Your host country may ask you to prove that you have 

  • stable, regular and sufficient resources to live without social assistance,
  • and health insurance.

Your host country may also require you to complete integration conditions. You may have to take language courses.

Your family living with you in France can accompany you or join you, under conditions, in your new European host country.

If your family lives abroad, you will need to apply for family reunification from your host country.

When you stay in another European country, you will retain your long-term resident status in France until you have acquired that status in your country of establishment.

After 5 years of legal and uninterrupted stay in this, and under other conditions, particularly of resources, you can indeed apply for a residence permit long-term resident - EU. You will then lose your status in France. Your French residence card will therefore be expired and you will have to return it.

Employee posted in the framework of the provision of cross-border services

You cannot settle in another Member State with your residence card.

You must apply for a long-stay visa to settle in that other Member State. Inquire at the consulate or embassy of the country concerned in France.

Cross-border service provider

You cannot settle in another Member State with your residence card.

You must apply for a long-stay visa to settle in that other Member State. Inquire at the consulate or embassy of the country concerned in France.