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British Citizens in France after Brexit
General
- UK government urges all British people in France to sign up for their email alerts on living in France. https://www.gov.uk/email-signup/?topic=/world/living-in-france
- There will be no change to the rights and status of UK nationals living in France while the UK remains in the EU.
- While the UK government continues to negotiate EU Exit, British Citizens in France are urged to:
- To be registered as resident in France
- To read UK nationals in the EU: essential information
- Attend one of the UK governments citizens outreach meetings
- Follow your local British Embassy on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for the Embassy’s newsletter Voisins Voices. Previous newsletter editions are available here
French Ministry of Interior Guidance: Residence
The French Ministry of the Interior have published a website to help UK nationals living and working in France (https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/Le-ministere-de-l-Interieur-se-prepare-au-Brexit).
Will it be necessary for UK nationals to obtain a residence permit? What will be the steps to take to obtain a residence permit?
In the event of the Withdrawal Agreement entering into force
UK nationals present in France before 31 December 2020 will have to apply for the new permit provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement. They will have until at least July 2021 to make the request, according to procedures and a calendar which will be specified in due course.
UK nationals who arrive in France after 1 January 2021 will have to apply for a permit under the standard system [“un titre de droit commun” –i.e. non EU/EEA].
In case of absence of a Withdrawal Agreement
It will be necessary to apply for a residence permit after 29 March 2019 according to procedures that will be specified in due course.
What are the official criteria for UK nationals already in France who would like to apply for a residence permit?
In the event of the Withdrawal Agreement entering into force
The official criteria will be the same as those currently in place for the recognition of a right of residence for an EU national. UK nationals will have to demonstrate that they fall into one of the following categories:
- Either are exercising a professional activity (or have undertaken such an activity and be registered as a jobseeker)
- Or have sufficient resources for oneself and one's family as well as health insurance
- Or are studying or undertaking vocational training and have health insurance
- Or be a family member of a UK national living in France before 1 January 2021 and holding a right of residence (spouse, child, ancestor [in French ‘ascendant’], partner [in French ‘partenaire’, ‘concubin’] or dependent family member or forming part of the household of a British national).
In case of absence of a Withdrawal Agreement
UK nationals will be asked to demonstrate that they have resided in France before 30 March 2019 under one of the conditions for right of residence:
- exercising a professional activity
- or having sufficient resources for oneself and one's family as well as health insurance
- or are studying or undertaking vocational training and have health insurance
- or be a family member of a UK national living in France before 30 March 2019 and holding the right to residence
and to continue to meet these conditions.
Will residence permits obtained before March 2019 still be valid after the March deadline?
In the event of a Withdrawal Agreement entering into force
EU residence permits obtained before March 2019 (possession of which is not obligatory) will continue to be valid during the transition period until 31 December 2020. However, beyond that period, they will have to be replaced by the new permits provided for in the [Withdrawal] Agreement. Applications for permits can be submitted according to a timetable which will be specified in due course and in any scenario you will have until at least July 2021 to do so.
In case of absence of a Withdrawal Agreement
Residence permits obtained before 30 March 2019 will have to be exchanged according to a schedule that will be specified in due course.
Is a UK national who has been issued a residence permit obliged to take steps to exchange it if he/she moves house?
In the event of a Withdrawal Agreement entering into force or without a Withdrawal Agreement
A UK national who has received a residence permit before 30 March 2019 will have to declare their change of address when applying for a new residence permit.
Will the residence permits issued in France allow mobility within the other countries of the European Union?
In the event of a Withdrawal Agreement entering into force
Residence permits issued in France will allow travel in the other states forming part of the Schengen area for periods not exceeding three months. They will only allow residence in France.
In case of absence of a Withdrawal Agreement
Residence permits issued in France will allow travel in the other states forming part of the Schengen area for periods not exceeding three months. They will only allow residence in France.
Will UK nationals have to obtain a work permit in order to continue their professional activity in France?
In the event of a Withdrawal Agreement entering into force
UK nationals who started their professional activity in France before 31 December 2020 will not need a work permit. Only those who have settled in France from 1 January 2021 will be subject to the requirement to apply for a work permit.
In case of absence of a Withdrawal Agreement
UK nationals having started their professional activity in France before 29 March 2019 will not need a work permit. However, they will be required to apply for a residence permit. This permit will allow them to establish their right in practice. UK nationals arriving in France after 29 March 2019 or starting their professional activity after 29 March 2019 will have to obtain a work permit.
What are the criteria for issuing EU/EEA/Swiss citizen residence permits (first 5 years) for self-employed workers?
In the event of a Withdrawal Agreement entering into force
A UK national exercising an independent professional activity before 31 December 2020 must prove by any means available the regular, real and lasting nature of his activity. The supporting documents to be provided are the same as those currently listed on the website www.service-public.gouv.fr for issuing a residence permit to EU citizens exercising a self-employed activity.
In case of absence of a Withdrawal Agreement
A UK national exercising an independent professional activity must prove by any means available the regular, real and lasting nature of his activity in order to obtain a residence permit corresponding to his situation, according to procedures to be specified later.
Will family members (third-country nationals) of a UK national have a special status?
In the event of a Withdrawal Agreement entering into force
Third-country nationals who are family members of a UK national (who settled in France before 31 December 2020) will continue to benefit from the status deriving from their family ties. This link will continue to be established in practice by the issuing of a permit that they will be obliged to request, as is already the case now.
In case of absence of a Withdrawal Agreement
Third-country nationals who are family members of a UK national (who is settled in France before 30 March 2019) will benefit from the status deriving from their family ties. This link will be established in practice by the issuing of a new permit under the standard system [“regime de droit commun”].
This article was last revised 30 January 2019
