Residence - What Residence Permits are required?

A feature of recent changes in the law is that, for EU citizens, member states may no longer require residents to hold a permit to reside, because that right is now conferred by EU Treaty and not by the state.

Taking the place of the old Carte de Séjour (which confirmed the state’s grant of permission to reside), residents are now entitled to receive, on application, a new type of document, still called a ‘Carte de Séjour,’ but which confirms your residential status under the rights you already have.

There is no legal requirement for you to hold one of the new Cartes de Séjour, but there are many reasons why you should.

What ‘Cartes de Séjour’ are available?

There are several types of cartes des séjour available by law, which must be issued to individual residents if they are requested. These are issued free of charge.

Certificate of registration (Notes 5,6)

Strictly speaking, this is not a carte de séjour at all, but is merely a document in confirmation that you have complied with the requirement to register.

Under three months, your residence will be legal even if you have not registered. It you do stay more than three months, there is a legal requirement that you and your family members, including children, must register your presence at the Mairie where you reside before the expiry of that time. Failure to do so may result in penalties.

If, for example, you are a job seeker and your search continues beyond three months and you did not register, the official start date of period of residence will not be backdated to your actual arrival date.

The Mairie is only required to issue a certificate in confirmation of registration if it is asked for by the individual, but must do so if so requested.

Residents are recommended to ask for a Certificate of Registration. Although you are not required to have this, it can be a useful document to have in order to clearly establish the start date of your period of residence.
Cartes des Séjour

These can be applied for after the first three months and at any time up to five years from having taken up continuous and legal residence in France. The different types of carte are as follows:

Carte de séjour "CE- toutes activités professionnelles"

Employed or self-employed EU citizens living in France for a period of less than five years may apply for a “Carte de séjour - CE toutes activités professionnelles". This may be valid for up to five years and is issued for the duration of a job contract or anticipated period of self-employment.
Carte de séjour "CE - non actif" (Notes 5,6)

EU nationals in France resident for a period of less than five years who are not receiving income from employment may apply for a “Carte de séjour - CE Non-Actif". The period of validity of the permit depends on the security and durability of the resources presented. In all cases, it cannot exceed five years.
Carte de séjour "CE - étudiant"

Students who establish their usual residence in France for a period of less than five years can ask for a “Carte de séjour "CE - étudiant". This permit has a period of one year maximum validity, and is renewable.
Carte de séjour permanent "CE - toutes activités professionnelles"

After five years of continuous legal residence in France, all EU citizens become eligible for ‘Permanent Resident’ status, which entitles them to equal treatment with French citizens including access to both the state health and social security systems. Once granted, this right cannot be withdrawn, and no other qualifications for continuing residence are necessary (such as level of financial resources, private health insurance, worker’s status, etc.)

A Carte de séjour permanent can be requested. Possession of this card is incontrovertible evidence of the right to equal treatment with French nationals, and will provide ready confirmation of your status when exercising those rights. It is valid for twenty years and is fully renewable.

It is noted that in certain circumstances, workers and their family members may be eligible for permanent residence status in less than five years, for example in the event of incapacity through illness or accident.
Family members who are Union citizens themselves are covered by the same rules.