Last Updated on February 23, 2023
UK nationals who have been legally living in France before December 31, 2020 when the UK withdraws from the EU may continue to live, study, and work in France through rights established through the Withdrawal Agreement. UK nationals who are residents of France by the end of the Brexit transition will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and their rights will be protected if they remain a resident. UK nationals should make sure they are registered as residents.
Entry and Residency Requirements
UK nationals who are residents of France before December 31, 2020 can stay in the country. However, they must apply online for a new residency permit before July 1, 2021 to remain in France under the Withdrawal Agreement. UK nationals who are living in France must have their new residency permits by October 1, 2021.
The requirements apply to all UK nationals who are living in France, including UK nationals with a European carte de sejour (including permanent cards and cards with no expiration date) and without a European carte de sejour. UK nationals must apply for a residence card through their local Prefecture.
UK nationals must apply for a new residency permit if they are:
- Applying for a second nationality
- Married to (or in a civil partnership) with an EU national
- Recently arriving in France
A separate application is required for all UK nationals, even if they are related. Proof of residency is not required for children under age 18, unless they will turn 18 by the application deadline or plan to work in France.
UK nationals who have been living in France for five years or more can request a residency permit and a 10-year renewable residency permit. Individuals who have been in the country for less than five years can get a residency permit with a maximum five-year validity. UK nationals will need to provide proof of their personal situation (self-sufficient, job seeker, British spouse of a French national, worker, British family member) when applying for residency. UK nationals who applied for residency through the previous ‘no-deal’ website do not need to reapply, unless they moved to a different department since the initial application.
Working in France
UK nationals who are residents of France on or before December 31, 2020 can retain their right to work in France, provided they remain residents.
To apply for a job, UK nationals may require the following documents:
- UK police certificate
- UK equivalent of a casier judiciare
- International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC)
Individuals who live in France and commute to work in another EU/EFTA country may need a permit proving that they are a frontier worker starting in January 2021. The Home Office will provide further details when guidance is available.
Passports
A valid passport is required to enter the country through December 2020. Starting on January 1, 2021, passports must have at least a six-month validity, except for individuals transiting France or who fall within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. Individuals must renew their passport prior to traveling if they have less than six months remaining on their passport. Additional months from passports that are more than 10 years old cannot be added to the validity period.
