So, you’ve decided to move to France? Bon. We know there's more to starting your new life abroad than simply packing up, booking a flight, and brushing up on your French.
We've got you covered when it comes to the legal considerations you need to keep in mind when planning your move from the UK to France.
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France 90-day rule
Brexit changed many things about Brits looking to move abroad, and for those headed to France, the most notable of these is the France 90-day rule. This new rule means that stays are limited for expats and second homeowners in France after Brexit. The France 90-day rule allows 90 days of stay in France every 180 days. That means you can stay in France for roughly 6 months of the year, but not six months consecutively.
For more permanent stays, the new France 90-day rule is a definite obstacle. Notably, this rule does not apply to residents of Ireland, Romania, Cyprus, Croatia or Bulgaria, so if you have dual nationality from one of these countries, you should enter France on your non-British passport.
French residency requirements
For those moving to France from the UK in a more permanent way, then a French residence permit is no doubt the goal. You must hold a residency permit if you plan to stay in France for more than 90 days.
Temporary residence or carte de Sejour is possible for those who are moving to France for work, study, to stay with family or to retire. The carte de Sejour application will need to be made within eight weeks of your arrival in France. They can be renewed every year for up to five years.
After five years following your successful carte de Sejour application, you will be able to apply for a carte de resident or permanent residence. Note that if you leave France for more than two years during this required period of five, your French residency requirements ‘reset’ and you will have to stay another five years before you can apply. Check out our in-depth guide to how to get French citizenship for more information.
Buy property in France and get residency
Unlike other countries, you can’t buy property in France and get residency. While there are no restrictions on UK residents buying property in France, if you plan on living there full-time you’ll need to go through the same visa process as any other non-EU resident.
Schengen visa for France: UK requirements
As a British national, you will not be required to apply for a Schengen visa for France. If, however, you live in the UK as a resident but do not hold a British passport, you may need a French Schengen visa to gain entry to France. This applies to citizens from approximately 100 non-UK countries including:
Afghanistan
Botswana
China
Egypt
Haiti
India
Jamaica
Kenya
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Philippines
Russia
Somalia
Thailand
Uganda
Zimbabwe
Applications for a Schengen visa for France can be made at your local French consulate in the UK and you will be asked to provide several documents to ensure your stay is legitimate, including:
Passport
Your valid UK residence permit
Travel insurance
Proof of accommodation in France
Proof you can support yourself financially while in France
How to apply for a French visa from the UK
You may be wondering how to apply for a French visa from the UK. The first step is to book an appointment at the French Consulate General in London. You can either do this by visiting on Wednesday mornings and booking in person, known as a direct appointment, by phone or by filling out an online application form. The French Consulate General will help you lodge your visa application, which takes a minimum of 15 days to be processed.
How does Brexit affect France?
The UK is no longer part of the common travel area. As a result, citizens can no longer benefit from moving freely, visa-free when moving to France for work, study or tourism.
Is moving to France for work possible after Brexit?
Yes, but you will need a work visa, and this must be supported by evidence such as an offer of employment. The same goes for study visas, which require proof that you have been accepted by an educational institution.
Retiring to France from UK after Brexit
Retiring to France from the UK after Brexit is still relatively straightforward, but you will require a visa. For retirees, this will be a long term stay visa and you will need to provide proof that you can support yourself through your retirement years financially. The rules about accessing your UK pension in France also remain favourable, and you can transfer this to a recognised overseas pension scheme. Read more about retiring to France in our Retiring to France guide.
Is it possible to buy a property in France after Brexit?
Yes, buying property in France after Brexit is perfectly possible. If you plan to make it your sole property and live there permanently, though, you will have to follow the above steps to gain a visa. However, if you just want to buy a holiday home in France after Brexit you still can, and you can stay in that property up to 90 days every 180 days.
