Brexit residency permits for UK nationals
All UK nationals resident in France prior 31.12.2020 must apply for an EU residence card after Brexit. This is obligatory whether or not you have a current residence permit. UK citizens will only be required to hold a residence permit as of 1 January 2022
Update 20, September, 2024
Update 20, September, 2024
Brexit residency permits for UK nationals
All UK nationals resident in France prior 31.12.2020 must apply for an EU residence card after Brexit. This is obligatory whether or not you have a current residence permit. UK citizens will only be required to hold a residence permit as of 1 January 2022
Update 20, September, 2024
Update 20, September, 2024
The withdrawal agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union provides for a transition period until 31 December 2020. During this period, UK nationals and members of their families already settled in France or wishing to move to France prior to 31 December 2020 will retain their rights as European citizens and will not be required to hold a residence permit.
Pursuant to this agreement, these UK nationals must apply for a new EU residence card after Brexit bearing the words "Withdrawal Agreement" before 1 July 2021.
UK nationals and members of their families who wish to settle in France and maintain EU residence after Brexit beginning after 31 December 2020 will have to request their residence permits as nationals of non-EU countries and must first obtain a long-stay visa D before going to the prefecture to submit an application for a residence permit.
http://invite.contacts-demarches.interieur.gouv.fr/BREXIT/Mise-a-jour-du-site-de-demande-de-titre-en-ligne-pour-les-ressortissants-britanniques-residant-en-France
If you are a UK citizen or the family member of a UK citizen and you have already applied for EU residency after Brexit via the no-deal Brexit website between October 2019 and January 2020, you do not need to make a new online application. Your application has already been taken into account and will be processed by the local prefecture before the obligation to hold a Brexit residence permit becomes enforceable.
Pursuant to this agreement, these UK nationals must apply for a new EU residence card after Brexit bearing the words "Withdrawal Agreement" before 1 July 2021.
UK nationals and members of their families who wish to settle in France and maintain EU residence after Brexit beginning after 31 December 2020 will have to request their residence permits as nationals of non-EU countries and must first obtain a long-stay visa D before going to the prefecture to submit an application for a residence permit.
http://invite.contacts-demarches.interieur.gouv.fr/BREXIT/Mise-a-jour-du-site-de-demande-de-titre-en-ligne-pour-les-ressortissants-britanniques-residant-en-France
If you are a UK citizen or the family member of a UK citizen and you have already applied for EU residency after Brexit via the no-deal Brexit website between October 2019 and January 2020, you do not need to make a new online application. Your application has already been taken into account and will be processed by the local prefecture before the obligation to hold a Brexit residence permit becomes enforceable.
- What are the criteria for UK nationals already residing in France who would like to apply for a Brexit residency?
- Will family members (third-country nationals) of a UK national have special status?
- Will Brexit expats be required to obtain a residence permit?
- What are the conditions for UK nationals to obtain a permanent residence permit for France?
- Will residence permits obtained prior to the date of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union still be valid after that date?
- Will UK nationals seeking employment be entitled to a residence permit?
- Will UK nationals be required to obtain a work permit in order to continue their professional activity in France?
- Is a UK national who has received a Brexit residency permit required to do anything if they move?
- Will residence permits issued in France allow mobility within other countries of the European Union?
- How can Brexit expats present in France acquire French nationality?
- Regarding the acquisition of French nationality by minor children
- Will minors who are nationals of countries outside the European Union be able to participate in school trips to the United Kingdom from France on the same basis as nationals of the European Union
What are the criteria for UK nationals already residing in France who would like to apply for a Brexit residency?
The criteria are the same as for nationals of the European Union seeking the right of residence in France. UK nationals will have to prove that they fall under ONE of the following situations:
UK nationals legally residing in France before the end of the transition period and who have been present on French territory for more than 5 years will have access to permanent residence and settled status permit for a period of 10 years.
UK nationals legally residing in France before the end of the transition period and who have been present on French territory for less than 5 years will obtain a residence permit card lasting 1 to 5 years, depending on their situation.
UK nationals arriving in France from 1 January 2021 who do not have a family tie with a UK national benefiting from the agreement will be issued a residence permit on a general basis the same as nationals of non-EU countries.
- Exercise a salaried or self-employed professional activity (or have previously exercised such an activity and be registered as a job seeker);
- Have sufficient resources for themselves and their family, as well as health insurance;
- Follow studies or vocational training, and have health insurance;
- Be a family member of a UK national living in France prior to 31 December 2020 and having a right of residence in France (spouse, partner, child, or family member supported by or part of the household of a UK national)
UK nationals legally residing in France before the end of the transition period and who have been present on French territory for more than 5 years will have access to permanent residence and settled status permit for a period of 10 years.
UK nationals legally residing in France before the end of the transition period and who have been present on French territory for less than 5 years will obtain a residence permit card lasting 1 to 5 years, depending on their situation.
UK nationals arriving in France from 1 January 2021 who do not have a family tie with a UK national benefiting from the agreement will be issued a residence permit on a general basis the same as nationals of non-EU countries.
Will family members (third-country nationals) of a UK national have special status?
Third-country nationals who are family members of a UK national who settled in France prior to 31 December 2020 will have access to a French family permit after Brexit residence permit based on the family relationship. Like UK nationals, they will also need to apply for a Brexit residency card online.
Will Brexit expats be required to obtain a residence permit?
During the transition period, UK nationals and their family members already settled in France or wishing to settle there prior to December 31, 2020 will retain their acquired rights as European citizens and will not be required to hold a Brexit residence permit.
At the end of the transition period and if no agreement on the future relationship comes into effect, all UK nationals staying in France will be required to apply for residency after Brexit.
UK nationals and members of their families present in France before 31 December 2020 must complete their online application prior to 30 September 2021. They will then be issued with a new residence permit designated "Agreement to withdraw the United Kingdom from the European Union".
UK nationals arriving in France after December 31, 2020 must apply for a residence permit on a general basis at the prefecture. UK nationals who are family members of UK citizens already settled in France before December 31, 2020 will benefit from a free visa and access to a residence permit once they arrive in France per the agreement.
Regardless of their date of arrival in France, all UK nationals must hold a residence permit as of 1 January 2021.
At the end of the transition period and if no agreement on the future relationship comes into effect, all UK nationals staying in France will be required to apply for residency after Brexit.
UK nationals and members of their families present in France before 31 December 2020 must complete their online application prior to 30 September 2021. They will then be issued with a new residence permit designated "Agreement to withdraw the United Kingdom from the European Union".
UK nationals arriving in France after December 31, 2020 must apply for a residence permit on a general basis at the prefecture. UK nationals who are family members of UK citizens already settled in France before December 31, 2020 will benefit from a free visa and access to a residence permit once they arrive in France per the agreement.
Regardless of their date of arrival in France, all UK nationals must hold a residence permit as of 1 January 2021.
What are the conditions for UK nationals to obtain a permanent residence permit for France?
UK nationals and members of their family settled in France before 31 December 2020 and who can prove that they have resided there regularly for 5 years, will be granted the right to EU permanent residence after Brexit in the form of a renewable, 10-year residence card.
Persons who already hold a permanent residence card issued in their former capacity as an EU citizen have the right to exchange this document for a Brexit EU permanent residence card bearing the words "Withdrawal Agreement".
The agreement also provides for specific circumstances granting permanent residency after Brexit under special situations (retirees, incapacity for work, etc.)
Brexit Residency permits issued under the withdrawal agreement will be issued free of charge.
Persons who already hold a permanent residence card issued in their former capacity as an EU citizen have the right to exchange this document for a Brexit EU permanent residence card bearing the words "Withdrawal Agreement".
The agreement also provides for specific circumstances granting permanent residency after Brexit under special situations (retirees, incapacity for work, etc.)
Brexit Residency permits issued under the withdrawal agreement will be issued free of charge.
Will residence permits obtained prior to the date of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union still be valid after that date?
Residence permits bearing the words "European Union citizen" obtained before the end of the transitional period will continue to be valid until 1 July 2021 but will lose their validity after that date.
UK nationals holding an EU residence permit must also apply online for a new one prior to 1 July 2021 in order to obtain an "Article 50" title.
From 1 July 2021, Brexit residency permits for UK nationals must be either a specific residence permit provided for in the withdrawal agreement (if they arrived in France before December 31, 2020) or a residence permit obtained on a general basis if they arrived in France on. Or after January 1, 2021.
UK nationals holding an EU residence permit must also apply online for a new one prior to 1 July 2021 in order to obtain an "Article 50" title.
From 1 July 2021, Brexit residency permits for UK nationals must be either a specific residence permit provided for in the withdrawal agreement (if they arrived in France before December 31, 2020) or a residence permit obtained on a general basis if they arrived in France on. Or after January 1, 2021.
Will UK nationals seeking employment be entitled to a residence permit?
UK nationals and their family members already settled in France on the date of withdrawal from the United Kingdom or moving to France before the end of the transition period who are seeking employment will be issued a residence permit. This permit will be valid for one-year stay and is not renewable, provided that they are able to prove that they are actually looking for a job and that they have a real chance of being hired within a reasonable time.
Will UK nationals be required to obtain a work permit in order to continue their professional activity in France?
UK nationals and their family members who started their professional activity in France prior to 31 December 2020 will not require a work permit.
Those who settle in France and start their professional activity on or after 1 January 2021 will be obligated to apply for a work permit. An exception exists for the family members of UK citizens already settled in France before 31 December 2020.
Those who settle in France and start their professional activity on or after 1 January 2021 will be obligated to apply for a work permit. An exception exists for the family members of UK citizens already settled in France before 31 December 2020.
Is a UK national who has received a Brexit residency permit required to do anything if they move?
UK nationals who received an EU residence permit before the end of the transition period will be required to report their change of address and exchange it.
Will residence permits issued in France allow mobility within other countries of the European Union?
Residence permits issued in France will allow travel to other members of the Schengen area for periods not exceeding 90 days within 180 days.
How can Brexit expats present in France acquire French nationality?
There is not a separate procedure for UK nationals to acquire French nationality.
Depending on their situation, they may follow the appropriate naturalization procedure (articles 21-15 et seq. Of the Civil Code) or apply for French nationality in their capacity as the spouse, descendent, or sibling of a French national (articles 21 -2, 21-13-1, 21-13-2 of the Civil Code).
Depending on their situation, they may follow the appropriate naturalization procedure (articles 21-15 et seq. Of the Civil Code) or apply for French nationality in their capacity as the spouse, descendent, or sibling of a French national (articles 21 -2, 21-13-1, 21-13-2 of the Civil Code).
How can Brexit expats present in France acquire French nationality?
There is not a separate procedure for UK nationals to acquire French nationality.
Depending on their situation, they may follow the appropriate naturalization procedure (articles 21-15 et seq. Of the Civil Code) or apply for French nationality in their capacity as the spouse, descendent, or sibling of a French national (articles 21 -2, 21-13-1, 21-13-2 of the Civil Code).
Depending on their situation, they may follow the appropriate naturalization procedure (articles 21-15 et seq. Of the Civil Code) or apply for French nationality in their capacity as the spouse, descendent, or sibling of a French national (articles 21 -2, 21-13-1, 21-13-2 of the Civil Code).
Regarding the acquisition of French nationality by minor children
The procedure followed for acquiring French citizenship for a minor will depend on where the child was born.
1: If they were born in France to UK parents, and subject to meeting the additional conditions required by law (five years residence on French soil from the age of eleven), they may acquire French nationality by declaration under Articles 21-7 (automatic acquisition by majority) or 21-11 of the Civil Code (early acquisition by declaration, at 13 years of age upon declaration by the parents in the event of residence since the age of 8, or at 16 in the event of of continuous residence since the age of 11).
2: If they were not born in France, they may acquire French nationality if one of the parents acquires French nationality (article 22-1 of the civil code).
In addition, if they are under the age of eighteen, it must be proven that the child has resided in France with their applicable parent during the five years preceding the filing of the application. Naturalization may then be granted to a minor child who has not acquired French nationality even though one of his parents has acquired French nationality. Meeting this requirement allows for an exception to article 21-22 of the Civil Code, which bars naturalization of any person under the age of eighteen.
1: If they were born in France to UK parents, and subject to meeting the additional conditions required by law (five years residence on French soil from the age of eleven), they may acquire French nationality by declaration under Articles 21-7 (automatic acquisition by majority) or 21-11 of the Civil Code (early acquisition by declaration, at 13 years of age upon declaration by the parents in the event of residence since the age of 8, or at 16 in the event of of continuous residence since the age of 11).
2: If they were not born in France, they may acquire French nationality if one of the parents acquires French nationality (article 22-1 of the civil code).
In addition, if they are under the age of eighteen, it must be proven that the child has resided in France with their applicable parent during the five years preceding the filing of the application. Naturalization may then be granted to a minor child who has not acquired French nationality even though one of his parents has acquired French nationality. Meeting this requirement allows for an exception to article 21-22 of the Civil Code, which bars naturalization of any person under the age of eighteen.
Will minors who are nationals of countries outside the European Union be able to participate in school trips to the United Kingdom from France on the same basis as nationals of the European Union?
Until 31 December 2020, travel conditions for school trips to the UK will remain unchanged.
Minors who are nationals of a State outside of the European Union or the Schengen area but normally residing in France and participating in a school trip to the United Kingdom, may continue to travel under cover of a collective travel document ("list of 'schoolchildren traveling as part of a school excursion within the European Union"), issued by the prefecture.
Foreign minors are not required to hold any other travel document, short-stay visa or travel document for foreign minors.
In addition to the collective travel document, foreign minors must be provided with parental authorization to leave the country.
At the end of the transition period, the conditions will depend on the ongoing negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and EU; details of which will be confirmed once the Brexit transition period ends.
Minors who are nationals of a State outside of the European Union or the Schengen area but normally residing in France and participating in a school trip to the United Kingdom, may continue to travel under cover of a collective travel document ("list of 'schoolchildren traveling as part of a school excursion within the European Union"), issued by the prefecture.
Foreign minors are not required to hold any other travel document, short-stay visa or travel document for foreign minors.
In addition to the collective travel document, foreign minors must be provided with parental authorization to leave the country.
At the end of the transition period, the conditions will depend on the ongoing negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and EU; details of which will be confirmed once the Brexit transition period ends.
ATTENTION!
Online applications for the Brexit residence permit for British citizens and their family members settled in France before the 31st of December, 2020, are not accepted anymore from the 4th of October, 2021.
In the necessary cases, additional documents can be submitted online via the mentioned website until the 31st of December, 2021.
In the necessary cases, additional documents can be submitted online via the mentioned website until the 31st of December, 2021.
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French Riviera - Côte d'Azur: 930, Route Des Dolines, 06560 Valbonne FR
Lyon: Gare des Brotteaux, 15, place Jules Ferry, 69006 Lyon FR
Switzerland: Seestrasse 79, 806 Bäch SZ
© 2004-2025 ZLOKAZOV AND COMPANY
Book Your Consultation
We meet with clients online and in our offices by appointment only.
The cost of the consultation is 150 euros TVA inclusive.
If you are interested in our consultation please:
The cost of the consultation is 150 euros TVA inclusive.
If you are interested in our consultation please:
- fill the questionnaire
- after receiving your request we'll send you an invoice to pay using your chosen method of payment
- we'll propose time slots for the consultation once payment is received.
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The materials provided on this website may not reflect the most current legal developments. The content and interpretation of laws discussed herein are subject to change. We disclaim all liability for actions taken or not taken based on the content of this website to the fullest extent permitted by law. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of the information on this website without seeking professional legal counsel.
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