France · Permanent Residence
France Permanent Residence for Founders
The closest French equivalent of permanent residence for founders is the EU long-term resident card, valid for ten years and renewable. It requires five years of regular residence and, since January 2026, B1 French and a civic exam.
- Startup route
- Talent card – project leader (incl. French Tech Visa)
- Minimum capital
- EUR 30,000 for the company-creation route
- Permanent residence
- 5 years (EU long-term resident card)
- Citizenship
- 5 years; 2 years in specific cases
EU long-term resident card (carte de résident de longue durée-UE)
After five years of regular and uninterrupted residence, a talent card holder can apply for the EU long-term resident card. Absences of up to six consecutive months and ten months in total are tolerated. Applicants need stable, sufficient and regular income of at least the minimum wage, health insurance, a commitment to the principles of the Republic, French at level B1 and a pass in the civic exam for the resident card. The prefect consults the mayor of the municipality of residence. The card is valid for ten years and renewable, and it lapses after six consecutive years outside France.
- Qualifying period
- 5 years of regular, uninterrupted residence
- Language
- French at level B1, plus a civic exam
- Income
- At least EUR 1,867.02 gross a month
- Validity
- 10 years, renewable
- Government fee
- EUR 350, or EUR 250 when holding a valid permit
- Late filing
- Extra EUR 180 regularization fee
Requirements
- Five years of regular, uninterrupted residence on qualifying residence permits.
- Absences of no more than six consecutive months and ten months in total.
- Stable, sufficient and regular income of at least the gross minimum wage.
- French at level B1 and a pass in the civic exam, unless aged 65 or over.
- Health insurance and a commitment to the principles of the Republic.
How to apply
- Pass the civic exam and obtain proof of B1 French before applying.
- Gather five years of residence history, income and health insurance evidence.
- Apply to the prefecture, which consults the mayor of the municipality.
- Collect the ten-year card and pay the stamp duty and tax.
The 2026 integration rules for long-term residence
From 1 January 2026, non-EU applicants for a first resident card must prove French at level B1, and applicants for a first multi-year card must prove level A2. The resident cards covered by the rule expressly include the long-term resident card for talent card and EU Blue Card holders after more than five years, and their families. The requirement applies only to applicants under 65, and people with a disability or chronic illness can request adjustments or an exemption on medical grounds.
A civic exam must now also be passed before the application is filed. It applies to first multi-year and resident cards, while renewals of those cards do not require it. Founders who plan to apply after five years should therefore build French tuition and exam preparation into their timeline well ahead of the final talent card renewal, since both results are needed when the file is submitted.
Questions and answers
How long before a founder can get long-term residence in France?
Five years of regular and uninterrupted residence is the standard requirement. EU Blue Card holders can combine two years in France with earlier regular residence in another EU country. Time on a talent card counts, and the 2026 language rules expressly cover talent holders after more than five years.
What French level is required for the resident card?
Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference, together with a pass in the civic exam for the resident card. These requirements apply to first applications made since 1 January 2026 by applicants under 65. Renewing an existing card does not require the civic exam.
How much income is needed?
Income must be stable, sufficient and regular, and at least equal to the gross minimum wage, currently EUR 1,867.02 a month. Several family benefits are excluded from the calculation, while recipients of certain disability allowances are exempt from proving resources.
Can the long-term resident card be lost?
Yes. The card ceases to be valid after six consecutive years living outside France, more than three consecutive years outside the EU, or the acquisition of long-term resident status in another EU country. Renewal is requested online through ANEF between four and two months before expiry.
Official sources
- EU long-term resident card (foreigner in France for 5 years) - Service Publicwww.service-public.gouv.fr
- Resident card and multi-year residence card: how to justify your knowledge of French? - Service Publicwww.service-public.gouv.fr
- Residence permit - A new civic examination for foreigners wishing to settle in France - Service Publicwww.service-public.gouv.fr
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in France.
Startup visa
Long-stay visa from a French consulate, then a talent card via ANEF
02Temporary residence
Talent card for up to 4 years; spouse and children get talent-family cards
03Permanent residence
EU long-term resident card after 5 years, with B1 French and a civic exam
04Citizenship
Naturalization after 5 years, or 2 in some cases; B2 French; dual allowed