Residence card for retired foreigner or retired spouse
Verified 22 August 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
If you are a foreigner and retired, you can obtain a residence card mention pensioner, subject to conditions. Your spouse can obtain a residence card retired spouse if he or she has legally resident with you in France. We present you with the information you need to know. Attention: this page does not concern you if you are European or Algerian.
Application in France
The residence card mentions pensioner or retired spouse allows you to enter France at any time for stays of one maximum duration of 1 year. You don't have to apply for a visa.
She doesn't allow work in France.
It doesn't allow you to bring your family to France.
Once you have the residence card mention pensioner, if you wish to establish your habitual residence in France again, you have the right to request a resident card.
You are affected if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You're a foreigner
- You have resided in France with a resident card (resident card or long-term resident card - EU or former 3-year ordinary resident card or 10-year privileged card)
- You have established (or are establishing) your habitual residence abroad
- You receive a retirement pension from a basic French social security scheme
This residence card doesn't allow you to bring your family in France. However, your spouse can obtain a residence card retired spouse if he or she has legally resident with you in France. This card allows him to enter France at any time for stays of one maximum duration of 1 year without having to apply for a visa. But the menu does not change the country of residence.
You must file your application within 2 months of the expiry date of your resident card.
Warning
It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on your prefecture's website.
If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt awaiting the response of the prefecture.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
For the "retired" card
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
or consular attestation with photo
or photo ID
or consular card with photo
or certificate of nationality under 6 months with photo
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months old
- Proof of habitual residence outside France (rent receipt, electricity or gas receipt, etc.)
- Certificate of habitual residence outside France drawn up by the municipal authorities of the country of habitual residence
- 3 photos.
If the request is made on the internet: enter the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the approved cabin on the photo board).
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
- Declaration on the honor of no polygamy in France if you are married and are a national of a country that allows it
- Proof of your regular residence in France with a resident card
- Proof of payment of a retirement pension, direct or in reversion : last notice of payment from the pension fund (supplementary pensions of Arco type are excluded)
- Signed copy of a commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
For the card "spouse of retiree"
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
or consular attestation with photo
or photo ID
or consular card with photo
or certificate of nationality under 6 months with photo
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months old
- Proof of habitual residence outside France (rent receipt, electricity or gas receipt, etc.)
- Certificate of habitual residence outside France drawn up by the municipal authorities of the country of habitual residence
- 3 photos.
If the request is made on the internet: enter the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the approved cabin on the photo board).
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
- Declaration on the honor of no polygamy in France if you are married and are a national of a country that allows it
- Proof of your spouse's pensionable status: copy of his/her residence card marked "retired" or his/her certificate of residence "retired"
- Proof of legal residence in France with your spouse(s): copy of the old residence card (whatever its period of validity)
- Signed copy of a commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
You need to pay €25 (stamp duty) by tax stamps.
The stamps are requested at the time of agreement on your request or the delivery of your card. Ask your local prefecture.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Your request is accepted
If the prefect grants you the issue of the residence card, you will be summoned to go and collect it in the prefecture.
Your request is denied
The refusal decision the prefect may:
- or be written, by a reasoned letter to you notified,
- or result from a failure of the administration to respond after 4 months.
You can then train within 2 months from such refusal :
- One administrative appeal (ex gratia appeal before the prefect and/or hierarchical remedy to the Minister of the Interior)
- And/or a litigation before the administrative court. You don't have to have a lawyer.
The menu pensioner (or retired spouse) is valid 10 years.
It shall be renewable.
You must submit your card application within 2 months of the expiry date of your card pensioner.
Warning
It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on your prefecture's website.
Documents to be provided:
- Identity card and travel document
- Residence card pensioner (or retired spouse) expiring
- Honor certificate that each of your stays in France, with this residence card, has not exceeded 1 year
- 3 identity photos
- Signed copy of a commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Cost : you must pay €25 (stamp duty) by tax stamps.
If you submit your application after the deadline, except in cases of force majeure or presentation of a valid visa, you will have to pay, in addition to the cost of the card, a visa fee for regularization of the €180.
If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt awaiting the response of the prefecture.
The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.
Abroad
The residence card mentions pensioner or retired spouse allows you to enter France at any time for stays of one maximum duration of 1 year. You don't have to apply for a visa.
She doesn't allow work in France.
It doesn't allow you to bring your family to France.
FYI
Once you have the residence card mention pensioner, if you wish to establish your habitual residence in France again, you have the right to request a resident card.
You are affected if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You're a foreigner
- You have resided in France with a resident card (resident card or long-term resident card - EU or former 3-year ordinary resident card or 10-year privileged card)
- You have established (or are establishing) your habitual residence abroad
- You receive a retirement pension from a basic French social security scheme
This residence card does not allow you to bring your family to France. However, your spouse can obtain a residence card retired spouse if he or she has legally resident with you in France. This card allows him to enter France at any time for stays of one maximum duration of 1 year without having to apply for a visa. But the menu does not change the country of residence.
You must submit your card application to the French consular authorities in your country of residence.
The consulate will send your request to the prefecture of the place where you want to establish your temporary residence in France.
The residence card will then be sent to you via the consulate.
Who shall I contact
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
For the "retired" card
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
or consular attestation with photo
or photo ID
or consular card with photo
or certificate of nationality under 6 months with photo
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months old
- Proof of habitual residence outside France (rent receipt, electricity or gas receipt, etc.)
- Certificate of habitual residence outside France drawn up by the municipal authorities of the country of habitual residence
- 3 photos.
If the request is made on the internet: enter the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the approved cabin on the photo board).
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
- Declaration on the honor of no polygamy in France if you are married and are a national of a country that allows it
- Proof of your regular residence in France with a resident card
- Proof of payment of a retirement pension, direct or in reversion : last payment notice from the pension fund (supplementary pensions of the ARRCO type are excluded)
- Signed copy of a commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
For the card "spouse of retiree"
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
or consular attestation with photo
or photo ID
or consular card with photo
or certificate of nationality under 6 months with photo
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months old
- Proof of habitual residence outside France (rent receipt, electricity or gas receipt, etc.)
- Certificate of habitual residence outside France drawn up by the municipal authorities of the country of habitual residence
- 3 photos.
If the request is made on the internet: enter the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the approved cabin on the photo board).
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
- Declaration on the honor of no polygamy in France if you are married and are a national of a country that allows it
- Proof of your spouse's pensionable status: copy of his/her residence card marked "retired" or his/her certificate of residence "retired"
- Proof of legal residence in France with your spouse(s): copy of the old residence card (whatever its period of validity)
- Signed copy of a commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
You need to pay €25 (stamp duty) by tax stamps.
The stamps are requested at the time of agreement on your request or the delivery of your card.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Your request is accepted
If the prefect grants you the issue of the residence card, you can pick it up from the consular authorities.
Your request is denied
The refusal decision the prefect may:
- or be written, by a reasoned letter to you notified,
- or result from a failure of the administration to respond after 4 months.
You can then train within 2 months from such refusal :
- One administrative appeal (ex gratia appeal before the prefect and/or hierarchical remedy to the Minister of the Interior)
- And/or a litigation before the administrative court. You don't have to have a lawyer.
The residence card pensioner (or retired spouse) is valid 10 years.
It shall be renewable.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
If you are in France
You must submit your card application to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home (inquire on the prefecture's website) within 2 months before the expiry date of your card pensioner (or retired spouse).
While waiting for your case to be processed, you will receive a receipt.
If your prefecture or sub-prefecture has not replied to you within 4 months, your card request is refused.
If you submit your application after the deadline, except in cases of force majeure or presentation of a valid visa, you will have to pay, in addition to the cost of the card, a visa fee for regularization of the €180.
If you are abroad
You must submit your card application to the French consular authorities in your country of residence.
Who shall I contact
Documents to be provided:
- Identity card and travel document
- Residence card pensioner (or retired spouse) expiring
- Honor certificate that each of your stays in France, with this residence card, has not exceeded 1 year
- 3 identity photos
- Signed copy of a commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
You need to pay €25 (stamp duty) by tax stamps.
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.
- Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
- Service free
The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.
Issuance of the "pensioner" and "pensioner's spouse" residence cards
Taxes and stamp duty payable
Contract of commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Application for a "retired" and "retired spouse" residence card
Registration extract establishing pension rights (D254-4)
Implicit refusal in case of silence kept for more than 4 months on a residence permit application (Article R432-2)
Refusal and withdrawal of the residence card
Renewal of residence permit
List of documents to be supplied: point 55
FAQ
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