Subsidiary Protection in France: Complete Guide 2025

Subsidiary protection is a form of international protection granted to foreigners who do not meet the conditions for refugee status but who risk serious harm in their country of origin.

This guide explains the conditions, procedure and rights related to subsidiary protection.

🛡️ What is subsidiary protection?

Subsidiary protection is protection granted by OFPRA (French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons) to people who cannot return to their country because they risk:

The death penalty
Torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
A serious and individual threat due to indiscriminate violence (civil war, armed conflict)

🔑 Differences between refugee status and subsidiary protection

| Criteria | Refugee status | Subsidiary protection | |---------|------------------|------------------------| | Basis | Persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a social group or political opinions | Risk of death penalty, torture, indiscriminate violence | | Residence permit | 10-year resident card (renewable) | 4-year multi-year residence permit (renewable) | | Family reunification | Facilitated and free | Possible but more restrictive | | Travel to country of origin | Prohibited (risk of losing status) | Prohibited (risk of losing status) | | Access to French nationality | After 5 years (with possible reduction) | After 5 years of regular residence |

✅ Conditions for obtaining subsidiary protection

You must demonstrate that you personally risk in your country of origin:

1. Risk of death penalty

If you risk being sentenced to death in your country of origin.

2. Risk of torture or trafficking

If you risk torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, or human trafficking.

Examples:

Violence based on sexual orientation (countries criminalizing homosexuality)
Female genital mutilation
Forced marriages
Modern slavery

3. Serious threat due to indiscriminate violence

If you risk a serious threat due to indiscriminate violence in the context of an armed conflict (civil war, international conflict).

Examples:

War zones (Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, etc.)
Areas of ethnic or religious conflict

🏛️ Subsidiary protection application procedure

The subsidiary protection application is made automatically as part of the asylum application.

Step 1: File an asylum application

Upon your arrival in France:

Present yourself at the prefecture to register your asylum application
You will receive an asylum seeker certificate valid for several months
You will be referred to accommodation (CADA, emergency accommodation) if available

Step 2: Send the file to OFPRA

Within 21 days after registration at the prefecture, you must send your complete file to OFPRA:

Documents:

Asylum application form (detailed account of your situation)
Identity documents (passport, birth certificate)
Evidence of your fears (testimonies, press articles, medical certificates, photos, etc.)

Step 3: Interview at OFPRA

You will be summoned to an individual interview with a protection officer from OFPRA.

Objective: explain your background and the reasons why you cannot return to your country.

Duration: 1 to 2 hours.

Language: you can benefit from a free interpreter.

Step 4: OFPRA decision

OFPRA makes a decision:

Grant of refugee status (if you meet the criteria)
Grant of subsidiary protection (if you do not meet the criteria for refugee status but risk serious harm)
Rejection of the application

Timeframe: 6 months on average (sometimes longer depending on nationality).

Step 5: Appeal to CNDA (in case of rejection)

If your application is rejected, you can appeal to the National Court of Asylum (CNDA) within 1 month.

Judgment timeframe: 5 months to 2 years.

⏳ Processing times

Registration at prefecture: immediate
OFPRA decision: 6 months on average
CNDA appeal (if rejected): 5 months to 2 years

Total: between 6 months and 3 years depending on the case.

💶 Cost of the procedure

The asylum and subsidiary protection procedure is free:

No fees to file the application
Free lawyer for CNDA appeal (automatic legal aid)
Accommodation and financial allowance during the process (ADA)

🔑 Rights with subsidiary protection

If you obtain subsidiary protection, you benefit from:

1. Residence permit

You receive a multi-year residence permit "beneficiary of subsidiary protection" for 4 years, renewable.

2. Right to work

You can work freely (employee or self-employed) without additional authorization.

3. Access to social rights

Health coverage (PUMA, formerly CMU)
Family allowances (CAF)
RSA (under conditions)
Housing assistance

4. Family reunification

You can bring your spouse and minor children (subject to income and housing conditions).

5. Access to training and employment

Access to professional training
Recognition of foreign diplomas (under conditions)

6. Prohibition of expulsion

You cannot be sent back to your country of origin as long as your protection is in force.

🔄 Renewal of subsidiary protection

Subsidiary protection is renewable every 4 years, provided that:

The risks in your country of origin persist
You have not traveled to your country of origin

OFPRA re-examines your situation at each renewal.

❌ Loss of subsidiary protection

You can lose your protection if:

You return to your country of origin
The situation in your country has improved in a sustainable manner
You represent a serious threat to France (crime, terrorism)
You lied or provided false information during your application

🤝 VisaPref supports you

The subsidiary protection application is a sensitive procedure that requires a detailed account and solid evidence.

At VisaPref, we support you to:

Prepare your account and your OFPRA file
Gather evidence of your fears
Prepare you for the OFPRA interview
File a CNDA appeal in case of rejection
Refer you to specialized associations

👉 Contact us for personalized support.

❓ FAQ – Subsidiary protection

1. What is the difference between asylum and subsidiary protection?

Asylum (refugee status) is granted in case of persecution for specific reasons (race, religion, political opinions, etc.).

Subsidiary protection is granted in case of risk of serious harm (death penalty, torture, indiscriminate violence) without necessarily targeted persecution.

2. Can I work during the processing of my application?

Yes, after 6 months of processing without a decision, you can request a work permit at the prefecture.

3. Can I travel to my country of origin with subsidiary protection?

No, returning to your country of origin results in the automatic loss of your protection.

4. Can I obtain French nationality with subsidiary protection?

Yes, after 5 years of regular residence in France, you can apply for naturalization.

5. What happens if my application is rejected?

You can appeal to the CNDA within 1 month. In case of final rejection, you will receive an OQTF and must leave French territory.