Retired / "Inactive" / Family member

THIS INFORMATION RELATES TO THE CARD TYPE ISSUED TO EU CITIZENS. WE DO NOT YET KNOW THE EXACT QUALIFICATIONS OR DETAILS OF THE CARD WHICH WILL BE ISSUED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT.

IT IS A GUIDE ONLY TO POSSIBLE CARD TYPES

RETIRED/INACTIVE

IN BRIEF

This is the inactive card for EU citizens

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F22117

This is the family member card for EU citizens

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F19315

Those in this category must prove they are not potential financial burden on the French social income programme

These are the guideline minimum incomes for “inactives” at September 2019

RSA for under 65 (single) - 559,74€ per month

RSA for under 65 (couple) - 839,62€ per month

See Government website on RSA for income with extra dependents

ASPA age 65 and older (single) - 868,20€ per month

ASPA age 65 or older (couple) - 1347,88€ per month

If you are trying to prove 5 legal years in the past these are historic RSA/RMI figures - click on site https://rsa-revenu-de-solidarite-active.fr/evolution-rsa.html

A new process will be put in place by the French Ministry of the Interior once we know whether the UK will leave the EU under a deal or with no deal.

APPLICATIONS

All registration and processing of applications for residence lies with the préfet of each department. Your application will be dealt with by the préfecture that covers your department. In Paris, it’s the Préfecture de Police. A handful of local sous-préfecture can handle them but France is becoming increasingly centralised and many sous-préfectures are losing responsibilities. The préfecture will usually let you know - online or email what documents they need. You can find your préfecture's website online by adding .gouv.fr to your department's name. For more information on your préfecture you can do a search on the main RIFT group Facebook page to get some local experiences (search box is usually on the left hand side for PCs and at top for phones - enter keywords - such as préfecture name).

The préfecture are all supposed to follow the list for British Citizens sent in May 2018 but each has their own “ways” and “foibles” and available resources. They all differ in how they deal with people - some have appointments, some you just turn up when they are open, some ask you to take a ticket and some handle your papers by post. Some have application forms - don’t fill in a TCN one! Don’t have a wasted trip!

A new online system for your initial application is expected to be launched in October 2019. We will release more details as soon as we have them. Expect the new system to require one Préfecture visit for your electronic fingerprinting. EU Citizens who live legally in France are entitled to a card by right.

Cartes de Séjour are for adults only. You can ask for a DCEM for your student children (under age 18). It’s a special card to facilitate travel and prove residence.

You do not need to speak French in order to qualify for a carte de séjour as an EU citizen, or post any exit from the EU, if already resident. Third Country Nationals do need to speak some French (or be ready to learn some fast). You will need to answer questions in French during your meeting at the préfecture, so those without basic French skills may want to take a friend to help out (or you could try to amuse the staff with some interesting translations from your mobile device).

Renewals - Your permanent Carte de Sejour and in case of no deal (and perhaps deal) your CdRLD will last for 10 years and is renewable. At renewal you need to provide - passport, a set of recent Id photos, proof of where you live and proof you’ve been living in France. Renewal is free in case of deal or no Brexit (small fee if you’ve lost your card) or probably 119€ in case of no deal. To renew a less than 5 years card it’s all the same dossier as your first application unless your status has changed. Renewals must be done within the 2 month period immediately before expiry.

Check that you are “exercising treaty rights” here

TYPES OF CARDS

Resident in France Less than 5 years
Resident in France More than 5 years

Resident less than 5 years - Carte de séjour UE:

This is your initial card for the first 5 years and will last for 1 year typically (you may get lucky though and be given more) and is renewable (apply to renew 2 months before expiry).

Check that you are “exercising treaty rights” - Under EU Citizens’ Rights tab at the top of page

What’s Going In my Dossier

“Paperasse” - a “popular” French word for - RED TAPE!

As a minimum, you’ll need -

your passport, proof of income, proof of medical cover, proof of résidence along with a “mugshot” (take the strip you get from the machine/photographer as numbers of pictures vary) - see here

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10619

You will need to include photocopies of every document in your dossier but don’t forget to take originals and don’t hand them over if they cannot be replaced. Original documents cannot easily be returned

More on Medical Cover

You need to prove you have medical cover - this is usually in the form of an attestation from you health care “caisse”. It’s basically the paper part of your Carte Vitale, proving your rights are still valid. They can usually be printed from your online account or from the machines in the foyer of your “caisse” - often CPAM. Comprehensive private medical cover can also be shown but you may need to explain this to your préfecture who may not be familiar with such documents. This does not mean that you need private health insurance - the French system is enough. You need to be covered to the same level as a French national and therefore a private mutuelle (top-up) is not required.

Other

You don't need to provide a letter of motivation for an application, however, if you prefer to write one that’s fine too.

Check to see if you really need any official translations of documents.

Evidence of your resources

Types of documentation other members have used to prove income:

P60

French and UK Bank statements

Pension proof

Avis d’impôts (resident more than 1 year)

Capital and investment income may be considered

Homeownership may reduce the minimum income requirement slightly (scroll down on this site to see how much they reduce by if someone is claiming basic medical top-up cover http://www.cmu.fr/fichier-utilisateur/fichiers/Plafonds_v-01-04-2019.pdf

The best way to prove income is an Avis d’Impôts if you have lived in France for more than a year

These are the guideline minimums for “inactives” at September 2019

RSA for under 65 (single) - 559,74€ per month

RSA for under 65 (couple) - 839,62€ per month

ASPA age 65 and older (single) - 868,20€ per month

ASPA age 65 or older (couple) - 1347,88€ per month

See Government website on RSA for income with extra dependents

If you are trying to prove 5 legal years in the past these are historic RSA/RMI figures - click on site https://rsa-revenu-de-solidarite-active.fr/evolution-rsa.html

How long will my card last?

A carte de séjour for an inactive/retired will usually last for 1 year (some préfectures are more generous). You can renew it after this and should apply 2 months before expiry date.

Renewal

Same evidence as first application until 5 years of résidence.

If you've now been resident for 5 years or more, you've acquired permanent resident rights and your application will be for a carte de séjour permanent

Resident More than 5 Years - EU Permanent card

After 5 years of legal résidence you can apply for a carte de séjour permanent. This means you can live in France without having to meet any further medical/income conditions.

If you haven't previously held an initial card you still need to prove that you've been legally resident for 5 years

The permanent card is free, lasts for 10 years and is renewable. It will remain valid unless you spend a continuous period of two years outside France (whilst an EU citizen).

Paperasse for my carte de séjour permanent?

It’s the same as the above for an initial card. If it’s your first card you need evidence for a 5 year period. For changing an initial card you have to prove legal résidence since the start of the last card. You must apply to renew your card during the 2 month period before its expiry. Renewal documents are passport, proof of continued résidence and photos.

Retired / "Inactive" / Family member

RIFT

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