Can a European who is married or has passed to a Frenchman settle in France?
Verified 22 December 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
If you are a citizen of a European or EEA country or Switzerland and you are married or have been with a Frenchman, you have the possibility to live legally in France. You can obtain a residence card. However, this card is not mandatory. After 5 years of residence in France, you can apply to acquire a right to permanent residence. We present you with the information you need to know.
Marriage
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The first 5 years
You can reside in France with your identity card or passport valid.
Unlike other European citizens, and because of your marriage, you have no need to justify additional conditions, such as proof of sufficient resources, a contract of employment or the pursuit of studies.
You can have a professional activity in France. However, you will not be able to occupy certain public jobs. If you want to practice a regulated profession, you must check the operating conditions.
You do not have to apply for a residence card: it is optional. However, if you request it, the prefecture must investigate your case.
This way you can get a map EU - all professional activities valid for 5 years. However, you should not represent a threat to public order.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication concerning your domicile (provided by any means)
- Full copy of the marriage certificate
- Valid national identity card of your spouse (or certificate of French nationality of less than 6 months)
- Statement of Honor signed by you and your husband attesting to your life together
- All documents to establish the community of life (lease agreement, water or electricity discharge, bank identity card, tax documents...)
- 1 recent photo (e-photo)
Find the contact details of authorized photographers and approved cabins
Cost
Issuance of the residence card EU - all professional activities is free.
Renewal is also free of charge. However, if you do not show your expired card at the time of renewal, you will be charged a fee of €25. You'll have to settle it by ordinary tax stamps.
Getting the job done
The request is made on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
After 5 years in France
After 5 years of legal residence and continuing with your French spouse, you can obtain a right to permanent residence.
You can stay permanently in France. However, you should not represent a serious threat to public order.
You can then apply for a residence card EU - permanent residence - all professional activities.
Possession of this card is optional.
This card is valid for 10 years and can be renewed if necessary.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication concerning your domicile (provided by any means)
- Full copy of the marriage certificate
- Valid national identity card of your spouse (or certificate of French nationality of less than 6 months)
- Statement of Honor signed by you and your husband attesting to your life together
- All documents to establish the community of life (lease agreement, water or electricity discharge, bank identity card, tax documents...)
- Supporting documents for the previous 5 years:
- of your stay in France (rent or expense receipts, invoices, etc.)
- and the continuity of the common life with your French spouse (documents from administrations, tax documents or private organizations, bank identity statement)
- 1 recent photo (e-photo)
Find the contact details of authorized photographers and approved cabins
Cost
Issuance of the residence card EU - permanent residence - all professional activities is free.
Renewal is also free of charge. However, if you do not show your expired card at the time of renewal, you will be charged a fee of €25. You'll have to settle it by ordinary tax stamps.
Getting the job done
The request is made on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Civil partnerships
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The first 5 years
You can reside in France with your identity card or passport valid.
Unlike other European citizens, and because of your Civil partnership, you have no need to justify additional conditions, such as proof of sufficient resources, an employment contract or the pursuit of studies).
You can have a professional activity in France. However, you will not be able to occupy certain public jobs. If you want to practice a regulated profession, you must check the operating conditions.
You do not have to hold a residence card. However, if you request it, the prefecture must investigate your case.
You can then request a card EU - all professional activities. However, you should not represent a threat to public order.
You must have a minimum of 1 year of living together (in France and/or abroad) with your French partner.
Your card has a validity of 1 year minimum (renewable) and 5 years maximum.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication concerning your home: provided by any means
- Valid national identity card of your Civil partnership partner (or certificate of French nationality of less than 6 months)
- Proof of your seniority in a shared life over a minimum of 1 year with your partner (loan, common housing, joint account, etc.) for the 1re delivery and if necessary, for renewals, continuity of your life together
- 1 recent photo (e-photo)
Find the contact details of authorized photographers and approved cabins
Cost
Issuance of the residence card EU - all professional activities is free.
Renewal is also free of charge. However, if you do not show your expired card at the time of renewal, you will be charged a fee of €25. You'll have to settle it by ordinary tax stamps.
Getting the job done
The request is made on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
After 5 years in France
After 5 years of legal and continuous residence in France with your French Civil partnerships partner, you can obtain a right to permanent residence.
You can stay permanently in France. However, you should not represent a serious threat to public order.
You must be able to prove the continuity of your residence and your right to stay in a personal capacity over the previous 5 years.
You can ask for a residence card EU - permanent residence - all professional activities.
Possession of this card is also optional.
This card is valid for 10 years and is renewable.
Documents to be provided
- Valid identity document or passport
- Indication concerning your home: provided by any means
- Valid national identity card of your partner (or certificate of French nationality of less than 6 months)
- Supporting documents for the previous 5 years:
- your stay in France (rent or expense receipts, invoices, etc.),
- of your life together with your French partner (joint invoices, proof of borrowing of the common dwelling, joint account, etc.) except for periods covered by a residence permit (you will always be asked for proof relating to the last year)
- 1 recent photo (e-photo)
Find the contact details of authorized photographers and approved cabins
Cost
Issuance of the residence card EU - permanent residence - all professional activities is free.
Renewal is also free of charge. However, if you do not show your expired card at the time of renewal, you will be charged a fee of €25. You'll have to settle it by ordinary tax stamps.
Getting the job done
The request is made on the Internet:
When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service
For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.
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The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.