France is the kind of place that makes you fall in love—with the food, the culture, the cobbled streets, and possibly someone named Camille. But if you’re ready to make that love story long-term, it’s time to talk permanent residency.
This guide explains how to go from a temporary resident to a proud holder of the Carte de Résident, France’s golden ticket to long-term living. Oui, it takes some paperwork, patience, and maybe a few espresso-fuelled visits to the préfecture, but we’ll make it as smooth as a good camembert.
Table of Contents
What Is a Carte de Résident?
The Carte de Résident is a 10-year renewable residence permit that lets you live, work, and breathe baguette-filled air in France without worrying about annual renewals. It’s the French version of permanent residency (PR) and a major step before possible citizenship.
With a Carte de Résident, you get:
- The right to live and work in France for 10 years
- Fewer interactions with the immigration office (finally!)
- Access to most benefits enjoyed by French citizens.
- A path to apply for French nationality later on
It’s like a long-term relationship with France, minus the commitment issues.
How to Get Permanent Residency in France (Step-by-Step)
The road to permanent residency usually follows this order:
- Obtain a Long-Stay Visa (Visa de Long Séjour – VLS-TS)
- Transition to a Temporary Residence Permit (Carte de Séjour)
- Live in France legally for 5 continuous years
- Apply for the Carte de Résident
Let’s break that down.
Step 1: Get a Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS)
To start your life in France, you’ll need a Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour (VLS-TS)—a long-stay visa that doubles as a temporary residence permit.
This visa is usually valid for 12 months and is required if you plan to stay in France for more than 90 days. It applies to various categories:
- Work visa
- Student visa
- Family reunification
- Spouse of a French citizen
- Talent Passport (for highly skilled professionals)
Once in France, you must validate the visa online and often attend a medical exam and OFII appointment. (Yes, even French bureaucracy wants to say bonjour in person.)
Step 2: Get a Carte de Séjour
After your initial VLS-TS, you’ll likely transition to a Carte de Séjour (residence permit), valid from 1 to 4 years depending on your category.
This step is where you settle into French life—working, studying, paying taxes (bonjour, social contributions), and mastering the art of small talk at the boulangerie.
Important: Your time on a Carte de Séjour counts toward the 5-year residency requirement for permanent residency.
Also Read: How to Get Permanent Residency in the United States (Green Card Guide for 2025)
Step 3: Meet the 5-Year Residency Requirement
Here’s the key rule: You must have legally and continuously resided in France for 5 years to be eligible for permanent residency.
But—because France loves nuance—some categories are exempt from this 5-year rule and can apply earlier. These include:
- Spouse of a French citizen (after 3 years of marriage and living together in France)
- Parent of a French minor child
- Refugees and stateless persons
- Holders of a Talent Passport (often eligible after just 3 years)
For everyone else, the five-year clock starts from your first legal residence.
Step 4: Apply for the Carte de Résident
Once eligible, you can apply for the Carte de Résident at your local préfecture. (Pro tip: bring snacks—it could be a long wait.)
🔹 Documents You’ll Need:
- Valid passport
- Proof of 5 years of continuous residence (rental contracts, bills, tax returns)
- Previous residence permits (VLS-TS, Carte de Séjour)
- Proof of integration (language skills, participation in French life)
- Proof of stable income or employment
- Health insurance
- Birth certificate (translated and possibly apostilled)
- Passport-sized photos (France takes its ID photos very seriously)
Integration Requirement
To get permanent residency, France wants to know you’ve embraced the Republic (cue La Marseillaise playing softly in the background). This includes:
- Basic French proficiency (A2 level or higher)
- Knowledge of French values and laws (covered in the Republican Integration Contract)
- Participation in integration programs (you may be invited to take civic training sessions)
It’s less about being fluent and more about showing you’re committed to France beyond just the cheese.
How Much Does It Cost?
- Carte de Résident application fee: €225 (as of 2025)
- Additional costs: Translations, apostilles, and maybe therapy for dealing with French admin
The good news? It’s a 10-year permit, so it’s absolutely worth the hassle.
Processing Time
Processing can take anywhere from 1 to 3 months, depending on the workload at your préfecture. Make sure your documents are flawless—French officials don’t play when it comes to paperwork.
Benefits of French Permanent Residency
- Long-Term Security – No more yearly renewal stress
- Work Flexibility – Change jobs or employers freely
- Family Reunification – Easier path to bring family members
- Access to Benefits – Healthcare, education, unemployment support
- Citizenship Eligibility – You can apply for French nationality after PR (and sometimes skip PR entirely)
And let’s be honest: being a legal long-term resident in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries? Not too shabby.
Final Thoughts
Getting permanent residency in France may involve a few hurdles (and possibly the complete alphabet of forms), but it’s a milestone worth reaching. Whether you’re building a career in Lyon, retiring in Provence, or just really into crêpes, the Carte de Résident opens doors—figuratively and literally.
So, gather your paperwork, brush up on your French, and take the leap. The Eiffel Tower might not wave at you, but France will welcome you—eventually.
For more information, go to the official Website: https://www.welcometofrance.com/en/fiche/resident-card
