Can a Frenchman be expelled from a European country or Switzerland?

Verified 06 December 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

In principle, you can stay in a country of the European Union (EU) or in Switzerland without a residence permit for up to 6 months.

After 6 months, if you do not meet certain conditions (for example, inability to prove a contract of employment or registration in an approved establishment), you may be subject to a decision for temporary removal or permanent expulsion. The same is true if you are a threat to the security of the host country.

Temporary removal

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You are working and not respecting the rules of the host country

As a Frenchman, you can freely settle in another country of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland to work there. You do not need a residence or work permit.

However, you must meet certain conditions and formalities during the first 5 years of your stay. For example, to justify the exercise of an occupation (public or private) or self-employed activity in the host country.

If you no longer meet these conditions, your host country may ask you to leave.

The removal order must be with you notified state in writing the reasons given and indicate the remedies and time limits for appeal.

If you have any questions about your approach in an EU country, you can contact Europe Direct:

Who shall I contact

  • Europe Direct

    General information on the European Union (EU) and the bodies to be contacted.

    Replies in all official EU languages.

    By telephone

    00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 from any EU country.

    Open on working days from 9am to 6pm.

    Free call.

    By E-mail

    Access to contact form

After six months of searching, you didn't find a job

As a Frenchman, you can go to another country of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, to look for work.

However, your right of residence can be assessed if you have not found a job after the first 6 months.

Your host country may ask you to leave the territory if you cannot prove that you have a reasonable chance of finding a job.

The removal order must be with you notified state in writing the reasons given and indicate the remedies and time limits for appeal.

If you have any questions about your approach in an EU country, you can contact Europe Direct:

Who shall I contact

  • Europe Direct

    General information on the European Union (EU) and the bodies to be contacted.

    Replies in all official EU languages.

    By telephone

    00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 from any EU country.

    Open on working days from 9am to 6pm.

    Free call.

    By E-mail

    Access to contact form

You are a student and you do not meet the conditions of the host country

As a French student, you have the right to move to another country of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for your studies.

However, you must fulfill certain conditions and formalities during the first 5 years of your stay. For example, being registered at a registered establishment, having full health insurance.

If this is no longer the case, the host country may ask you to leave the territory.

The removal order must be with you notified state in writing the reasons given and indicate the remedies and time limits for appeal.

If you have any questions about your approach in an EU country, you can contact Europe Direct:

Who shall I contact

  • Europe Direct

    General information on the European Union (EU) and the bodies to be contacted.

    Replies in all official EU languages.

    By telephone

    00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 from any EU country.

    Open on working days from 9am to 6pm.

    Free call.

    By E-mail

    Access to contact form

Expulsion

You may be expelled by your host country if you pose a genuine, present and sufficiently grave threat to a fundamental interest of business. For example, for public order and public safety.

This is also the case for your family members residing with you in the host country.

Deportation can take place at any time during your stay.

However, after five years of residence, only serious or very serious facts can justify it. For example, in the case of a conviction for a terrorist act.

The decision to deport must be personal and based exclusively on your behavior. Your host country cannot rely solely on your previous criminal convictions.

Before making an expulsion decision, your host country must consider, among other things:

  • Duration of your stay in its territory
  • Your age
  • Your health condition
  • Your family and economic situation
  • Your social and cultural integration in business
  • Intensity of the links you have maintained with France

To prove that you are a danger, your host country may ask the French authorities for information about your criminal record.

It can also seize other European countries where you have resided.

The decision to deport must be made by you notified state in writing the reasons given and indicate the remedies and time limits for appeal.

The decision must specify the deadline for leaving the country.

This period shall be at least 1 month from the date of notification of the decision, unless there is a justified urgency. For example, in case of terrorist threat.

The decision may also provide for the definitive ban on returning to the country.

However, you can request the lifting of this ban after 3 years of execution of the expulsion decision.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Europe Direct

    General information on the European Union (EU) and the bodies to be contacted.

    Replies in all official EU languages.

    By telephone

    00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 from any EU country.

    Open on working days from 9am to 6pm.

    Free call.

    By E-mail

    Access to contact form