The French administrative landscape is shifting once again. If you’re a foreign resident already settled in France or are planning to move here, understanding the latest French residency visa changes is essential. From Brexit card renewals to updated long-stay visa requirements, 2025 has brought clarity to some areas while introducing new considerations for others.
For Brits in France: The Brexit Card Renewal Wave
If you moved to France before January 1, 2021, you’re part of a unique cohort protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. You were issued the special Article 50 TUE carte de séjour, recognizable by those exact words on the front of your card and “Article 18(1) Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni de l’UE” on the back. This is often referred to as a WARP (Withdrawal Agreement Residency Permit) and it preserves rights that aren’t available to people who moved after Brexit.
Here’s what’s happening now: those five-year cards issued in late 2020 and early 2021 are approaching their expiration dates. The good news? Once you’ve completed five years of legal residency in France, you can upgrade to a 10-year permanent residency card.
The Renewal Process: What You Need to Know
The French government has confirmed the renewal procedures, though there’s an important caveat: unlike other residency cards, Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards cannot currently be renewed through the national ANEF (Administration Numérique des Étrangers en France) website. Instead, you’ll need to work directly with your local préfecture, and approaches vary considerably depending on where you live in France.
Legally, applications must be submitted within two months of your card’s expiry date, although experts recommend aiming for the sweet spot between three months and six weeks before expiration. Apply too early and risk rejection but wait too long and you might find yourself scrambling.
The document requirements are straightforward compared to other residency applications. Thanks to the Withdrawal Agreement’s protections, you won’t need to prove financial means or French language proficiency. You’ll need your original Article 50 TUE card and proof of continued residency in France. If your personal circumstances have changed (marriage, divorce, or widowhood), you’ll need to provide documentation of those changes. Some préfectures have, mistakenly, asked for renewers to sign a “republican values contract” (le Contrat d’Engagement Républicain, CER) which is not required under EU law. If requested, the official advice from multiple legal bodies and the EU Settlement Monitoring bodies is simply to push back, citing Withdrawal Agreement protections.
As promised, the renewal is completely free, and your new card will be valid for 10 years.
What If Your Card Expires During Processing?
French administration moves at its own pace, and préfectures vary wildly in processing times. If your current card expires before your new one arrives, don’t worry. You can prove your legal status in France with the récépissé (receipt) acknowledging your application, and in many cases this can be used, together with your passport, to return to France if your card has expired while your renewal is pending – although experiences vary, especially when flying.
Non-EU Citizens Moving to France: The Long-Stay Visa Route
For non-EU citizens, the path to French residency looks quite different. While many foreign citizens enjoy visa-free travel to France for up to 90 days, anyone planning to stay longer must navigate the long-stay visa system.
As we enter 2026, the long-stay visitor system continues broadly unchanged, but it now sits alongside new EU border technology like the Entry/Exit System (EES), which digitally records non-EU arrivals and departures..
The long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS) remains the primary pathway for UK and American citizens who want to live in France without seeking French employment. It’s particularly popular with retirees, remote workers with non-French income, and those with independent means who’ve fallen in love with French life.
Financial Requirements: What’s Expected
For 2026, applicants generally need to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves. While there’s no single official figure published, consulates typically expect income at or above the French minimum wage (SMIC), which is approximately €1,400 net per month for individuals. For couples, requirements are higher but not simply doubled. The exact amount assessed can vary by consulate and individual circumstances.
Acceptable sources of income include pensions, investment returns, savings, and rental income from properties. You’ll need to provide bank statements and official documentation proving these income streams are stable and ongoing. If you have dependent children, expect the financial requirements to scale upward accordingly.
Beyond financial stability, you must also secure health insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical costs and provide proof of accommodation in France, whether owned, rented, or through a long-term hosting arrangement.
The Application Journey
Prospective residents must apply for their visa within three months before their planned departure at the French consulate in their home country. The process begins online through the France-Visas portal, where you’ll create an account, complete the application form. Expect to pay a visa fee of around €99 at the application stage, plus a separate €225 tax when you validate your visa online after arrival in France, and a service charge of roughly €30–40 if your consulate uses an outsourced visa centre.).
After submitting your online application, you’ll schedule an in-person appointment at your local visa application centre or French consulate. During this appointment, your biometric data (photo and fingerprints) will be collected, and you’ll submit all required documents.
Processing typically takes about 15 days but can extend to 45 days for complex cases. It’s worth noting that in 2024, roughly 15.8% of French visa applications globally were denied (there are no aggregated figures for the long-stay visa specifically), usually due to incomplete applications or insufficient proof of financial stability. Preparation is everything.
A Note on Language Requirements
While there are no French language requirements for obtaining the initial long-stay visitor visa, this changes for those planning to stay long-term. Starting January 1, 2026, new language requirements take effect for most work and family-based multi-year cards (carte de séjour pluriannuelle). Visitor visa holders can continue renewing their one-year cards annually without language tests, but anyone wanting to transition to a multi-year or 10-year permanent residency card will need to demonstrate A2 level French (basic conversational) for multi-year cards or B1 level (intermediate) for the 10-year carte de résident. People over 65 are exempt from these language requirements for residency cards.
What Happens After Approval?
Once in France with your long-stay visa, you’re not quite finished. If you receive a VLS-TS ‘visiteur’ visa, it acts as your residence permit for the first year once you validate it online and pay the tax. If you want to stay longer, you then apply at your local préfecture for a carte de séjour before the visa’s expiry.
Looking Ahead: ETIAS and the Changing European Landscape
While not yet implemented, non-EU travellers should be aware of the upcoming ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). Originally planned for earlier introduction, ETIAS has been delayed and is now expected to launch in late 2026.
Once operational, ETIAS will require pre-travel authorization for short-term visits (under 90 days) to the Schengen Area, with applications costing €20 and valid for three years. Importantly, if you hold a French residency card (whether a Brexit Withdrawal Agreement card or a standard carte de séjour), you won’t need ETIAS.
The Proposed Healthcare Fee: What non-EU Visitors Visas Need to Know
In November 2025, French MPs voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new amendment to the 2026 social security budget that could significantly impact Americans living in France on long-stay visitor visas who currently do not contribute to the French health service. The amendment proposes a mandatory annual healthcare contribution for some non-EU nationals on visitor status before they can access France’s public healthcare system.
Who Would Be Affected?
The proposed fee would specifically apply to foreigners on the visitor (visiteur) visa or residency card, which is commonly used by retirees who aren’t working in France. It would not affect people on other residency statuses such as worker, family, or student visas. British residents with Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards would not be affected, nor would UK state pensioners with S1 health forms, as their healthcare is paid for by the UK government.
The Current System
Currently, non-EU residents entering France on a visitor visa must demonstrate private health coverage upon arrival. After three months of residency, they can register for France’s taxpayer-funded public healthcare system (PUMA), gaining the same coverage as French citizens. The amendment was proposed by MP François Gernigon, who specifically mentioned American retirees who access French healthcare without having paid into the system through work-based social contributions.
What Happens Next?
The amendment still needs to be examined by the Senate, and the overall 2026 social security budget needs approval from parliament. Given the fractured nature of French politics, there’s no guarantee the measure will become law in its current form. However, if it does pass, Americans planning to move to France on visitor visas should budget for this additional annual cost and maintain comprehensive private health insurance until officially affiliated with the French healthcare system.
The Bottom Line
For all applications to French authorities, the key to success lies in starting early and staying organized. The French administration rewards patience and thoroughness, so gather your documents carefully, understand your timeline, and don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance if needed.
France continues to welcome foreign residents, but the process requires proper preparation. With realistic expectations about bureaucratic timelines, your French residency goals remain achievable.