How Long Can You Live in France Without Becoming a Resident?

15-10-2025

How Long Can UK Nationals Live in France Without Residency?

For UK citizens, moving to a country in the EU has become slightly more complicated.

Following Brexit, immigration rules have tightened across Europe, restricting our freedom to live and work in many countries. In neighbouring France, for example, you are now required to secure a visa for any stay longer than 90 days.

How Long Can You Live in France Without Becoming a Resident?

With that said, there are still several options open for Brits looking to move across the Channel. In fact, Brexit has proven to be only a minor setback that can be easily overcome with the right knowledge — and some clever paperwork.

Wondering how to get started? As a company that excels in removals to France from the UK, Gentlevan Removals can show you the way.

In this guide, we’ll answer some pressing queries you may have about your move — including: what are your visa options? When do you need to start applying? And crucially, how long can you live in France without becoming a resident? Let’s explore.

Planning Your Big Move? We Got You!

But first, a note: Securing any kind of long-term visa in France is a time-consuming process. In between collecting documents, booking appointments and waiting for official responses, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be left with much spare time to plan your move. Working with a company like Gentlevan Removals can ease this challenge.

With our packing, storage and transportation services, we ensure that your belongings are moved to your new home in France securely and quickly. Our team also provides assistance with documentation, including tricky customs procedures or transport regulations and significantly eases the logistics of the move.

All you need to do is pack a bag with essentials and passports and leave the heavy lifting to us. Go ahead and get a free quote for our removals to France from the UK.

Understanding French Residency Rules

Barring some exceptions, France has multiple regulations in place regarding who can enter the country and for how long. Until recently, UK citizens were a part of the exempt few and were allowed free movement across the EU. However, we are now considered third-country nationals and are bound by certain rules.

How long can you live in France without becoming a resident? The short answer is one year. But if you’re looking for a more comprehensive answer, consider all your short and long-term stay options:

Short Term Stay

British citizens can visit France without a visa for 90 days in any 180-day period. This is a great option for tourists, anyone looking to scout the best neighbourhoods or check out apartments before planning a more comprehensive move. But that’s it.

During these three months, you are not allowed to pursue any work-related activity in the Schengen area. Anyone who is found violating these terms or overstaying the 90-day period may have to pay a fine or depart the country immediately.

Long-Stay Visa

For stays longer than three months, you could also be granted a visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour (VLS - TS), or long stay visa equivalent to a residence permit.

This temporary visa offers fewer privileges than a residence permit, but more than visa-free entry. It is only granted for stays between 90 days and one year. It is also the only visa that allows you to spend a year in France without residency.

A VLS-TS is usually granted for:

Tourist, medical, or personal reasons
To carry out certain professional activity
To pursue education
To reunite with family

In each case, you will have to provide sufficient documentation to prove that you qualify. To learn more about the process, check out our long-stay French visa guide.

Residence Permit

Two months prior to the expiry of your VLS-TS, you need to secure an official residence permit. This is done by the local prefecture and could require a host of crucial documents depending on your specific application.

Residence permits are granted for all long-term work opportunities, ranging from European Blue Cards for highly-qualified professionals to temporary residence permits for entrepreneurs. Permits are also provided for family reunification or retirement.

10-Year Residence Card

Once a British national has lived in France with a valid permit for five consecutive years, they are eligible for a 10-year residence card. In case you are married to a French national, the timeline is reduced to three years.

To secure this, you need to provide various address and ID proofs, as well as:

Meet French language requirements (at least A2 level)
Provide proof of integration into French society
Receive a medical certificate from the immigration office

A 10-year residence card allows you to live and work in the country freely.

Permanent Residency

The equivalent of French citizenship, permanent residency is granted to UK citizens who have already received a 10-year residence card, or automatically if you turn 60 before your permit expires. This unconditional permit is also granted for a period of 10 years, but can be renewed indefinitely as long as you continue to meet the criteria.

Tips for Living in France Without Residency

While the idea of living in France without full residency may seem daunting, it is possible with the right preparation.

The first and most important step is securing the appropriate visa for your stay. Whether you're applying for a short-term or long-stay visa, the process typically involves submitting an application through official French government portals, followed by an in-person appointment at a French consulate or embassy in the UK.

Visa Regulations

How long can you live in France without residency? The answer depends entirely on the terms of your visa. While the long-stay visa allows you to go a maximum of one year without applying for a residence permit, there are several shorter-term options available as well. The VLS-TS is the only option that allows you to live up to a year without residency. Bear in mind, though, that the VLS-TS must be validated within three months of your arrival — a process that can be done online.

Health Insurance

All temporary visitors to France must have health insurance. Travel insurance is sufficient for visits up to six months, but the policy must have a minimum cover of €30.000, as well as be valid across the Schengen area. For a VLS-TS that lasts up to a year, however, you must have private insurance that covers all medical care and repatriation costs.

Financial Requirements

Without a residence permit, you may also have to submit proof of financial means. This could include any bank statements or income records that demonstrate you can support yourself for the duration of your stay. Since you aren’t allowed to work full-time without residency, this is a mandatory requirement for most kinds of temporary stay.

Practical Tips For Moving to France

Even if you’re moving to the country temporarily, there are some steps you can take to make the transition smoother. For example:

Make an effort to learn the language. This will go a long way in navigating bureaucracy and daily life.
Make an effort to integrate. The French are proud of their culture, history and country. Brushing up on the news or some history can take you a long way.
Without a residence card, you may have to show additional documentation for most official activities. Make sure you keep all IDs and proofs safe.
To make the integration process as seamless as possible, look out for regions with a high number of expats. Consider this guide on the best place to live in France for English speakers to assess your options.

Plan the Move in Detail

The best time to plan your temporary move to France is now. In between filling out forms, finding accommodation and drafting budgets, you’ll soon find that the process is a lot more time-consuming than you’d initially imagined.

To take some of the pressure off, work with a trusted removal company like Gentlevan Removals. We offer a comprehensive list of services for removals to France from the UK — from shipping your belongings to assisting with compliance documentation.

Let’s Make Your Move Hassle-Free

Make Your Move Hassle-Free With Gentlevan Removals

If you’re looking for removals to France from the UK, you’re in the right place.

Gentlevan Removals is the trusted moving partner of many Brits headed for the EU and other parts of the UK. We specialise in packing, moving and storing personal and household items, making your move easier and your logistics hassle-free.

The hallmarks of our service include thorough planning, effective and efficient logistic capabilities and personalised services. You can count on us to take care of every aspect of your move with utmost attention to detail and uncompromised care.

You can call us or email us for more information. You may also get an online quote or book your video survey appointment online. Let’s make your move a gentle journey for you. Gentlevan Removals will help you get there.