Residence card of a European student

Verified 26 October 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you are a citizen European and come to study in France, you do not need a residence card to live in France. However, you can ask for one.

The first 5 years

Step-by-step approach

You are concerned if you fill all of the following conditions :

  • You're European
  • You are enrolled in a private or public institution to study in France
  • You have health insurance
  • You have sufficient resources for yourself and your accompanying family members

  • Valid identity document or passport
  • 3 photos of identity
  • Proof of enrollment in an educational establishment for the main purpose of study or, in this context, vocational training
  • Certificate of assumption by an insurance of the costs of sickness and, possibly, maternity cover (for the 1re year of stay, the European Health Insurance Card or the European Continuity of Care Form in the country of origin may be accepted)
  • A statement (or other equivalent means) that ensures you have sufficient resources for yourself and your family members, if they are with you.

Issuance of the residence card EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen is free.

The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.

In most prefectures, you have to make an appointment.

Find out more on the website of the prefecture.

The period of validity of the card is equivalent to the period remaining to be used for obtaining the diploma prepared by the student. It can't go beyond 5 years.

The approach is the same as for the 1re request.

Card Request

You must submit the renewal request on the internet :

Apply online for a residence permit, a change of situation, a travel document, an application for ANEF naturalization

Documents to be provided

  • Valid identity document or passport
  • 3 photos of identity
  • Proof of enrollment in an educational establishment for the main purpose of study or, in this context, vocational training
  • Certificate of assumption by an insurance of the costs of sickness and, possibly, maternity cover (for the 1re year of stay, the European Health Insurance Card or the European Continuity of Care Form in the country of origin may be accepted)
  • A statement (or other equivalent means) that ensures you have sufficient resources for yourself and your family members, if they are with you.

Cost

Renewal of the residence card EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen is free.

Card Delivery

The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.

In most prefectures, you have to make an appointment.

Find out more on the website of the prefecture.

Period of validity

The period of validity of the card is equivalent to the period remaining to be used for obtaining the diploma prepared by the student. It can't go beyond 5 years.

After

After 5 years of legal and continuous residence in France, you can ask for a residence card Citizen EU/EEA/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities.

This card allows you to attest that you have the right to live in France permanently and to exercise any professional activity.

It makes your administrative procedures easier: the administration will no longer have to ask you to prove that you have sufficient resources and health insurance.

Step-by-step approach

You are concerned if you fill all of the following conditions :

  • You are European
  • You have been studying in France for 5 years
  • You continue to live in France (whether you are a student or not)

Warning  

If you do not justify having been in France for the whole of the 5 years, you will not be able to obtain the residence card Citizen EU/EEA/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities. You will then have a residence card CE - student - all ancillary activities.

  • Valid identity document or passport
  • 3 photos of identity
  • Proof of the continuity of your stay for 5 years in France: 1 document per semester (rent or expenses receipts, invoices, etc.)
  • Proof of the previous 5 years of your right to stay in France (proof of continuation of studies, sickness insurance, the reality of the resources possessed during the previous 5 years: bank balance certificates, etc.)

Issuance of the card Citizen EU/EEA/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities is free.

The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.

In most prefectures, you have to make an appointment.

Find out more on the website of the prefecture.

If your right of residence is permanent, the card is valid only 10 years. So it has to be renewed.

The approach is the same as for the 1re request.

Card Request

You must make the request on the internet :

Apply online for a residence permit, a change of situation, a travel document, an application for ANEF naturalization

Documents to be provided

  • Valid identity document or passport
  • 3 photos of identity
  • Proof of the continuity of your stay for 5 years in France: 1 document per semester (rent or expenses receipts, invoices, etc.)
  • Proof of the previous 5 years of your right to stay in France (proof of continuation of studies, sickness insurance, the reality of the resources possessed during the previous 5 years: bank balance certificates, etc.)

Cost

Renewal of the card Citizen EU/EEA/Switzerland - Permanent residence - All professional activities is free.

Card Delivery

The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.

In most prefectures, you have to make an appointment.

Find out more on the website of the prefecture.

Card validity period

The card is valid 10 years. It shall be renewable.