Although EC regulations have reduced the amount of documentation required for long stay visitors to member countries there are still a number of requirements in force.

PASSPORT

A standard EU passport is valid for ten years. No visa is required for tourists staying in France for up to three months. A person who stays for longer than three months is classified as resident.

CARTE DE SÉJOUR

The visa de longue durée (long stay visa) no longer exists although it is still referred to, even by officials. It has been superseded by the ‘Carte de Séjour de ressortissant de VUnion Européeanne’ (EU resident permit). If you intend to become resident in France you have three months from entering the country to apply for your EU ‘Carte de Séjour’.

You will require:

• A valid passport and three further passport photographs.
• Proof that you have residential accommodation.
• Proof that you pay into the French Social Security scheme.
• Proof of means of support. In practice this means either a contract of employment, or evidence of self-employment (from the local Chamber of Commerce), or evidence of a state pension or other recognised pension.
• Birth and marriage certificates.

If you are staying for a ‘limited duration’, a resident permit will be issued for this period of time, after which you will be re-assessed. If you are planning to stay on a ‘permanent’ basis, a resident permit will be issued for five years. After five years your permit can normally be renewed for a further ten years (and so on). According to the guidelines (www.ambafrance-uk.org) this ‘right of residence’ granted by the permit can be extended to the permit holder’s spouse, dependant descendants (under 21), dependant ascendant and the spouse’s ascendants.

FRENCH CITIZENSHIP

Long-term residents sometimes choose to take French citizenship because foreigners may be subject to a heavier burden of personal taxation. It is also possible, even prudent, to take the view that if you are to benefit from the French health and welfare systems it is better to be working towards French citizenship. The rules are that you must:

• Have lived in France for at least five years. For the spouses of people who already hold French citizenship and their children, this regulation does not apply.
• Be more than 18 years of age.
• Have no criminal record.
• Prove that you can speak and write in French to a reasonable standard.