Updated October 2026

The 10-year resident card gives you stability in France: you can live, work and plan your future for 10 years, and renew it. You can get it after 5 years of legal stay, or through your family ties or your protection status. Since 1 January 2026, new conditions apply. Here are the rules in force, explained simply.

Have you lived in France for several years? Take the free eligibility test

The main ways to get the 10-year card

• After 5 years of legal stay: the "long-term resident EU" card. Years with an employee or vie privée et familiale card count. Absences of up to 6 months in a row, and 10 months in total, are allowed.
• Spouse of a French citizen: after 3 years of marriage, with an effective life together. If you married abroad, the marriage must be transcribed in the French civil registry.
• Parent of a French child: after 3 years with a vie privée et familiale card.
• Family reunification: the spouse or child of a resident card holder, after 3 years of legal stay.
• Refugees: the resident card. Subsidiary protection and stateless people: after 4 years with a multi-year card.
• Other cases: children and dependent parents of French citizens, work-accident pensions, victims of violence or trafficking, veterans and Foreign Legion.

The conditions since 1 January 2026

• French level B1: proven by a TCF or TEF certificate less than 2 years old, or by an accepted French diploma. Diplomas from a foreign authority are not accepted.
• The civic exam: 40 questions in 45 minutes about France, its values and daily life. You need 32 correct answers (80%).
• The principles of the Republic: you sign a commitment to respect them.
• For the 5-year route: stable resources at least equal to the minimum wage (€1,867.02 gross per month, family benefits not included) and health insurance.
• Public order: no threat to public order.

How and when to apply

• When: online on ANEF, at the earliest 4 months and at the latest 2 months before your current permit ends. Some cases are filed at the prefecture.
• Cost: €350 for a first card in most cases. €250 for the long-term resident EU card if you already hold a valid permit. Free for refugees, stateless people and people with subsidiary protection.
• Late application: an extra €180 fee, except in case of force majeure.
• No answer after 4 months: it counts as a refusal, which you can challenge within 2 months.

After you get your card

• It is valid for 10 years and can be renewed
• You can work as an employee or be self-employed, without any other authorisation
• You do not need to take the civic exam again to renew it
• To renew the resident card, you must show that France is the centre of your life, with at least 6 months a year in France
• The resident card ends if you live outside France for more than 3 years in a row. The long-term resident EU card ends after 6 years in a row outside France
• The long-term resident EU card also makes it easier to settle in another EU country

How TSA helps you

• We check which route fits your situation, and the right date to apply
• We check your years of stay, your resources and your documents
• We help you prepare the B1 test with TSA Academy, and show you where to take the civic exam
• We prepare your online application with you, in your language
• In case of refusal, our partner lawyers take over before the court

Official sources: Service-public.fr, 10-year resident card (checked 1 July 2026), long-term resident EU card, French level required and the civic exam