Guidance

Living in France

Information about moving to, living or retiring in France – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
10 June 2013
Last updated
20 November 2025 — See all updates

Getting help with living in France

Help from the French government

For any questions about moving to or living in France, you may be able to get help from:

For help in accessing your rights as a resident in France, contact your local:

The UK government and the British Embassy in Paris cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in France. 

Professional help in France

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in France, including:

  • lawyers
  • translators
  • notaries
  • funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for France to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit France. This includes the latest information on:

  • visas and entry requirements
  • laws and cultural differences
  • safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for France before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in France.

You can get a visa or residence permit to:

  • work
  • study
  • live with family in France
  • be an au pair
  • volunteer
  • get medical treatment

The French government’s visa wizard explains the different visas and visa requirements.

For more information, read guidance on:

Registering as a resident

Once you arrive, you need to apply for a residence permit or validate your long stay visa. Read the French government’s guidance on your arrival in France.

If you have any problems or questions:

Extending or replacing your visa or residence permit

Contact your local prefecture (in French) or the French consulate in London for information on how to:

  • extend your visa or residency permit
  • replace a lost, damaged or stolen visa or residency permit

You may be able to renew or replace your residence permit online.

You can also read the French government’s guidance on what to do if:

Permanent residency

You may be able apply for a multi-annual residency permit or a permanent residency permit once your residency permit expires.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read the French government’s guidance on residence cards and travel documents for foreign nationals in France.

Citizenship

France recognises dual citizenship with the UK. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a French citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for French citizenship:

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Paris cannot help with French visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

Residency if you moved to France before 1 January 2021

If you moved to France before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Residence documents if you moved to France before 1 January 2021

If you moved to France before 1 January 2021, make sure you have a Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP). In French, this is known as a ‘carte/titre de séjour ‹‹accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni de l’Union Européenne››’. This shows that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Children do not need a WARP, but must apply for one at the local prefecture (in French) when they turn 18. If your child needs a WARP for work, they can apply for one from the age of 16.

For more information, read the French government’s guidance and frequently asked questions on British citizens’ right of residence after Brexit.

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES), you’ll need a valid WARP or other French residency permit when entering or leaving France. If you have one, you will not have to register with the EES when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Without it, you may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen Area and denied entry to France or other Schengen countries.

Children under 18 will need a DCEM (‘Document de circulation pour étranger mineur’) to be exempt from registering with the EES. DCEMs are free as part of your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Special residence permits

You or your dependants may have a special residence permit or ‘titre de séjour special’. If this was issued by 31 December 2020, you can apply for a Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP).

To apply for a WARP, you must give up your special residence permit. There is no deadline to apply, but you cannot hold both permits at the same time.

If you do not have a residence permit

If you were living in France before 1 January 2021, but do not have a Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP), you must apply for one. You’ll need to submit evidence to prove that you met the residency criteria at the time.

You can no longer request a WARP online. Instead, submit your application to your local prefecture (in French). Read the French government’s guidance on the closure of the online residence permit request service for more information.

If your application is successful, you’ll get a WARP.

If your application is unsuccessful, you may be able to appeal. Consider getting legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in France.

For more information on how to apply, read the French government’s guidance on:

Renewing your residence permit if you moved to France before 1 January 2021

You’ll need to renew your initial Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) before it expires. Your local prefecture will process your renewal application free of charge.

For information on how to renew your WARP:

You also need to report any changes and request a new WARP on the French government portal if:

  • your personal details change – for example after a change to your address or marital status
  • your WARP is lost or stolen
  • you want to add your marital name (‘nom d’usage’) to your WARP, as well as your birth name (‘nom de famille/naissance’)

Bringing family members to France if you moved there before 1 January 2021

The French government’s guidance on what British people and their family members have to do to live in France explains:

  • which family members can join you in France
  • how and when they should apply for their residence document

Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • apply for a British passport from abroad
  • travel urgently without your British passport

Always carry your passport and residence document when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence document or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.

If you have dual citizenship of an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, you should enter and leave France using your EU or EFTA passport.

European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) there are new rules for entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.

British nationals do not need to register with the EES if they’re legally resident in France and have a valid 5-year, 10-year or permanent residence permit.

If you’re legally resident in France but do not have a residence permit, contact your local prefecture (in French) for information on how to get one.

For more information about the EES, read:

Resident children travelling in and out of France

Border officers may ask children under 18 to present a minor foreigner movement document when entering France. In French, this is called a DCEM or ‘Document de circulation pour étranger mineur’. The French authorities should issue this document for free for children under 18 who have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Children will also need this document to be exempt from registering with the European Entry/Exit System (EES).

Healthcare in France

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • plan your healthcare
  • take medicine abroad

To find out how to get medical treatment:

Working in France

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in France, you may need a work permit or work visa. Our guidance on travelling to France for work explains the different work permits and visas available to you. You can also read the French visa service’s guidance on work visas.

You do not need a work permit or visa if you have been living in France legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a:

If you live in France and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers.

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in France, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.

Driving in France

Read our guidance on moving, living and retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • drive abroad legally
  • take your UK vehicle abroad
  • get driving licence letters

The French government provide information on driving in France, including how to:

For more information read guidance on:

Driving in France using a foreign driving licence

You can drive in France for short stays or if you are a student using a driving licence issued in:

  • the UK
  • Gibraltar
  • Jersey
  • Guernsey
  • the Isle of Man

If you have one of these licences and it was issued before 1 January 2021, you can use it to drive in France until it expires.

You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in France.

Exchanging your foreign driving licence

You must exchange your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Ise of Man driving licence for a French licence if:

  • it was issued after 1 January 2021 – make the exchange within 12 months of your arrival in France
  • it was issued before 1 January 2021 and has expired, or will expire in the next 12 months

You can apply online through the National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS).

You’ll need to:

You should apply for the exchange before the 12 months is over. Applications may take time to process, and you’ll need your French licence to drive legally.

When your application is accepted you will get a secured deposit receipt (‘attestation de dépôt sécurisée’). You can use this document to drive in France until you get your new licence.

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for:

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in France, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance. 

The UK has a double taxation agreement with France so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the French tax authority (in French) for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in France. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in France.

Declaring your assets

You must declare any assets (in French) held outside France. This includes:

  • bank accounts
  • securities
  • insurance
  • annuities
  • property

This declaration is separate to the annual tax return.

National Insurance

Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • how to claim your UK State Pension
  • where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Your UK state pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and now live in the EU.

Claiming a French pension

Contact your local pensions office (CARSAT) (in French) to find out whether you can claim a French pension.

You can also read guidance on:

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit. 

You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Claiming French benefits

You may be entitled to some French benefits.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:

Buying and renting property in France

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad. 

Contact an English-speaking lawyer in France if you’re considering buying property or land in France.

You can also read the French government’s guidance on:

Voting in France

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • vote in UK elections from abroad
  • register as an overseas voter

French elections

You cannot vote in French elections unless you hold French citizenship.

You also cannot vote in European elections unless you hold citizenship of an EU country.

Studying in France

If you plan to study in France, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

You do not need a student visa if you have been living in France legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

For more information, read guidance on:

You can also contact:

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

  • getting permission to take your child abroad
  • claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
  • child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The European Commission provides information about the school system in France.

All children aged 3 to 16 must attend school or home school in France.

For more information, read the French government’s guidance on:

Childcare

The public service for early childhood (in French) is responsible for childcare services in France.

For more information, read guidance on:

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in France, register the birth with the French authorities.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
  • apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • what to do after someone dies abroad
  • how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in France, read guidance on:

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.

You can also read our guidance on completing a self declaration form for marriage or civil partnership (PACS) in France.

The French government provides information on:

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

The French government offers guidance on how to get a divorce or legal separation in France.

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in France.

Documents for British people in France

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers: 

  • legalising and certifying UK documents
  • marriage and civil partnership documents
  • affirmations and affidavits
  • witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in France, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to France, read guidance on:

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

If the NHS funds your healthcare in France through the S1 form, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team to cancel it.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the French authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.

Updates to this page

Published 10 June 2013
Last updated 20 November 2025 show all updates

  1. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

  2. Updated information regarding renewing your WARP under the 'Replacement cards and renewals' section.

  3. Update to EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Added - The EU plans to introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES). The exact date that EES will be introduced has not been confirmed.

  4. Information on exemption from EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) has been updated.

  5. Added information about the new EU Entry /Exit System (EES). The information about driving in France has also been updated.

  6. Updated Residency and Travel sections with new links for minors’ residency and travel documents. Additional information on dependent family members.

  7. Information link added to reflect changes in overseas voting law.

  8. Healthcare section updated on how to register for state-sponsored healthcare and health insurance in France. Driving section updated on driving a French-registered vehicle in the UK.

  9. Updated guidance with public information services that can assist with accessing residency rights, information for minors (covered by the Withdrawal Agreement) entering France. and information about driving a UK registered car as a resident.

  10. Working and Healthcare sections updated to highlight requirements for signing up to the French Healthcare System if you have a French employment contract.

  11. Important information in the 'Working in France', and 'National insurance' sections if you work in France, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK. 'Visas and Residency' and 'Passport and travel' sections also updated.

  12. Guidance reviewed and updated, including on national insurance and social security section, and information for disabled drivers.

  13. Visas and residency section updated: the UK Nationals Support Fund service in France has closed. If you need further information on how to secure your residency, contact one of the support organisations listed.

  14. Visas and residency section updated: you must apply online for your Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) by 4 October 2021 if you have not already done so. You must be in possession of your WARP by 1 January 2022.

  15. Visas and residency section updated: if you need support with your residency application, contact the relevant UK Nationals Support Fund organisation before 15 October 2021.

  16. Updated guidance on how to exchange a UK driving licence exchange for a French one.

  17. Re-added in a the bullet point on outreach meetings in the intro, since it was apparently accidentally deleted.

  18. Guidance reviewed for people who are moving or moved to France after 1 January 2021. Following the residency application deadline, it also includes sub-sections relevant to people living there since before 1 January 2021.

  19. Driving section updated: how to exchange a UK driving licence for a French one from 28 June onwards

  20. Driving section: update on driving licence arrangements

  21. Update to Visas and residency on registering and checking status of application; update to Driving in France about driving licences; update in Accommodation on importing personal belongings

  22. Additional support section updated with link to guidance on UK Nationals Support Fund, healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; working and studying section updated with link to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on recognition of professional qualifications and link to DIT guidance on working or providing services in France.

  23. Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines

  24. Updated as the transition period ends with new information on residency, pet travel and moving to France

  25. Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling.

  26. UK Nationals Support Fund section updated with expanded geographical coverage for France.

  27. Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.

  28. Visa and residency section updated with a new link to detailed guidance on how to apply for the new residency permit

  29. Visa and residency section updated on how to apply for the new residency permit. Also new details on the Church of England-Diocese in Europe, for people in Nouvelle Aquitaine who need support to secure their residency.

  30. Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021

  31. Visas and residency section updated to include the postponement of the residency application website, and information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.

  32. Updated information on education and university tuition fees in the working and studying section and new information on how to exchange a UK driving licence.

  33. New information on the online portal to register your residency which opens in July 2020.

  34. Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.

  35. Brexit update: changes in residency section on new online portal for residence permit applications; in travel section on the grace period; and on driving licences.

  36. Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement

  37. Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.

  38. EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections

  39. We have updated the "Residency and Visas" section of this guide, including our translation of the French government's website, as well as the "Driving in France" section.

  40. We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.

  41. We have announced new citizens outreach meetings in Poitiers (13/03), Paris (18/03) and Marseille (19/03).

  42. Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip

  43. EU Exit update: Revised the following sections of the Living in Guide: visas and residency, healthcare, money and tax, pensions and driving in France.

  44. EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare

  45. EU exit update - updated information on pensions and driving

  46. Attached new informative note on name change

  47. The French Ministry of Interior has recently launched a new website, brexit.gouv.fr. We have now translated three sections of their guidance into English on residency, UK driving licenses and elections.

  48. We have added a new unofficial translation of the "elections" section of the French authorities's new website, Brexit.gouv.fr.

  49. We have updated the section on "registration in France" to reflect the Ministry of Interior's latest advice and to provide you with a link to the recent website on Brexit published by the French authorities. We are also providing you with a non-official translation of their guidance.

  50. EU exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.

  51. Added a link to sign up for the Embassy's newsletter, Voisins Voices, and added a link to the future citizens outreach meetings page in France.

  52. New contact form added for questions about the carte de séjour application. Under Registration in France, section, added a link to useful information from the préfecture de Dordogne.

  53. Addition of the top 10 questions on Brexit from UK nationals in France under the "Brexit: what you need to know" section. This Q&A was created by the British Embassy in Paris to answer the top 10 questions of UK nationals living and working in France.

  54. Added in information about French registration

  55. Additional information on visas and requirements, including on applying for "carte de séjour."

  56. Updated June 2018

  57. Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.

  58. Added information re: French law requiring the carrying of ID at all times in France.

  59. Added: support and guidance for British nationals experiencing mental illness in France

  60. Added two new paragraphs re: Travel Advice and Lost Property.

  61. Information added on changes to EHIC rules and health cover for early retirees.

  62. Information added for Britons living in France on how to register to vote in the French municipal and European elections.

  63. Life certificates information for UK state pension updated

  64. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Contents

Related content