EU Permanent Resident Card: Complete Guide to Obtain It

The EU long-term resident card is a 10-year residence permit, renewable, which offers great legal stability and facilitates mobility in the European Union.

This guide explains how to obtain it, its benefits and the required conditions.

🇪🇺 What is the EU long-term resident card?

The EU long-term resident card (formerly "permanent resident card") is a residence permit:

Valid for 10 years, automatically renewable
Allowing to live and work in France
Facilitating mobility to other EU countries

It differs from the standard resident card by the possibility to settle more easily in another EU member state.

✅ Conditions to obtain the EU resident card

1. Regular residence in France

You must prove regular and uninterrupted residence in France for at least 5 years.

Eligible permits:

Temporary residence card
Multi-year residence card
Validated VLS-TS
Resident card

Exclusions:

Periods under receipt only
Periods under student permit (except half the duration may be counted under conditions)

2. Republican integration

You must demonstrate your integration into French society:

French level: minimum A2 of CEFR (comprehension and expression)
Knowledge of Republic values: secularism, equality, human rights

Supporting documents:

French diploma
Language certificate (DELF, TCF, etc.)
Success in a test organized by OFII

3. Stable and sufficient resources

You must have regular resources equivalent to the minimum wage (approximately €1,801 net/month in 2025).

Accepted sources:

Salaries
Self-employment income
Pensions (retirement, disability)

Not counted:

Social benefits (RSA, AAH, etc.)
Spouse's resources (except special cases)

4. No threat to public order

You must not represent a threat to public order:

No serious criminal convictions
Behavior in accordance with laws

📋 Required documents

Application form for residence permit
Valid passport
Current residence permit
Proof of residence for the last 5 years: successive residence permits, proof of address, bills
Proof of resources:
- Last 3 pay slips
- Last 3 tax notices
- Employment contract or employer attestation
French language diploma (minimum A2 level) or French diploma
Recent identity photos meeting standards
Proof of address less than 6 months old
Birth certificate with certified translation

🏛️ Application procedure

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Make sure you meet all conditions (5 years residence, integration, resources).

Step 2: Make an appointment

Make an appointment at the prefecture or via the ANEF platform 2 to 4 months before the expiration of your current permit.

Step 3: Submit the application

Present yourself at the appointment with all your documents.

You will receive a receipt during processing.

Step 4: Processing

The prefecture examines your file (residence, integration, resources verifications).

Timeline: 2 to 6 months.

Step 5: Card issuance

If your application is accepted, you will receive your EU long-term resident card, valid for 10 years.

⏳ Processing times

Average timeline: 4 to 6 months
Some prefectures may take up to 12 months

💶 Card cost

Tax stamp: 225 € (first issuance and renewal)

🔑 Benefits of the EU resident card

In France

✅ Stability: valid for 10 years, automatically renewable
✅ Right to work: without restrictions (employed or self-employed)
✅ Access to social rights: health, benefits, unemployment
✅ Facilitated family reunification
✅ Legal security: difficult to withdraw (except serious threat to public order)

In the EU

✅ European mobility: possibility to settle in another EU member state to work or study (subject to conditions)
✅ Recognition of long-term resident status in the EU

⚠️ To settle in another EU country, you must apply for a residence permit in that country as an EU status holder.

🔄 Renewal of the EU resident card

The card is automatically renewable every 10 years, subject to:

Not representing a threat to public order
Still residing in France

Renewal is simplified: you do not have to prove your resources or integration again (except in case of doubt).

❌ Reasons for refusal

Insufficient residence (less than 5 years)
Prolonged absences from France (more than 6 consecutive months without justification)
Insufficient or irregular resources
Insufficient language level (below A2)
Threat to public order (criminal convictions)

Appeals

You can file:

Administrative appeal with the prefect
Judicial appeal with the administrative court (2 months)

🚨 Card withdrawal

The card can be withdrawn in serious cases:

Serious threat to public order
Fraud or false declarations during application
Absence from France for 3 consecutive years

🤝 VisaPref assists you

Obtaining the EU long-term resident card is a key moment in your integration path in France. A well-prepared file maximizes your chances.

At VisaPref, we assist you with:

Checking your eligibility
Building a complete file (residence proof, resources, integration)
Preparing for language and integration test
Following up on your prefecture application

👉 Contact us for personalized support.

❓ FAQ – EU resident card

1. What is the difference between resident card and EU resident card?

The EU resident card allows facilitated mobility to other EU countries, unlike the standard resident card.

2. Can I lose my card if I temporarily leave France?

Yes, if you leave France for more than 3 consecutive years, your card may be withdrawn.

3. Can my spouse obtain an EU resident card thanks to me?

Your spouse can apply for a residence permit in France, but must meet the conditions themselves (5 years residence, integration, resources) to obtain an EU resident card.

4. Can I travel freely in the EU with this card?

You can circulate freely up to 90 days per 180-day period. To settle in another EU country, you must apply for a residence permit in that country.

5. Can I obtain French nationality with an EU resident card?

Yes, after 5 years of regular residence (including at least 5 years with a valid permit), you can apply for naturalization (subject to integration conditions).