Updated June 2026. If you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you have freedom of movement and need no visa and no residence permit (titre de séjour) to live, work, or study in France. There is no mandatory registration with the local prefecture (préfecture). In practice you still need a French address, a social security number via CPAM, and a bank account. Non-EU family members may need a residence card (carte de séjour), and after five years you gain permanent residence.
Key takeaways
- EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens need no visa and no titre de séjour to reside in France.
- You can work, study, and run a business on the same terms as French nationals, with no permit.
- There is no mandatory registration; a carte de séjour is optional.
- To live practically you need a French address, a numéro de sécurité sociale via CPAM, and a bank account.
- After five years of legal residence you gain a droit au séjour permanent.
Do EU citizens need a visa for France?
No. Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (which adds Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland enjoy freedom of movement. You need no visa, no entry permit, and no titre de séjour to enter or stay in France. A valid national ID card or passport is enough. There is also no mandatory registration with the Préfecture when you arrive.
You may voluntarily request a carte de séjour through the ANEF online portal if you want a document proving your status, but it stays optional. Most EU citizens live in France for years without one.
EU citizens generally do not deal with OFII
Can EU citizens work and study in France?
Yes. Freedom of movement includes the right to work, so you can take any job, be self-employed, or run a business on the same terms as French nationals. No work permit is required, and employers do not need to sponsor you. You also have the right to study and to reside as a jobseeker, worker, student, or self-sufficient resident.
Your professional qualifications earned in another EU state are often recognised in France, though some regulated professions require a recognition step. Check the rules for your field on service-public.fr.
What do EU citizens need to set up life in France?
Even with no registration required, daily life runs on three things. First, a French address and proof of address (justificatif de domicile) for nearly every administrative step. Second, a numéro de sécurité sociale (social security number) so you can access healthcare, which you obtain through your local CPAM(Caisse primaire d'assurance maladie) and manage on Ameli. Third, a French bank account with a French IBAN for salary, rent, and bills.
- Step 1: Secure a French address and keep a recent justificatif de domicile.
- Step 2: Open a French bank account to get a RIB and French IBAN.
- Step 3: Register with CPAM to get your numéro de sécurité sociale and a Carte Vitale.
- Step 4: Optionally request a carte de séjour via ANEF if you want documented proof of status.
What about non-EU family members?
Family members who are not EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens have a derived right to join you, but they may need a carte de séjour labelled "membre de famille d'un citoyen UE". This typically covers a spouse or partner, children, and dependent relatives. Depending on nationality, a non-EU family member may also need an entry visa before arriving.
The application goes through the Préfecture or the ANEF portal. You will usually prove the family link and your own residence in France. Confirm the exact documents and any fees on service-public.fr before you apply.
How do you get permanent residence?
After five years of continuous legal residence in France, EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens acquire the droit au séjour permanent (permanent right of residence). This right is automatic, but you can request a carte de séjour permanent as proof through the Préfecture or ANEF. The same five-year route can extend to your non-EU family members who lived with you.
Sources: service-public.fr and the Préfecture, as of June 2026. Rules, documents, and any fees can change, so verify your situation on service-public.fr or with your local préfecture before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do EU citizens need a visa to move to France?
No. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens have freedom of movement and need no visa, no entry permit, and no titre de séjour to live, work, or study in France. A valid national ID card or passport is enough to enter and stay.
Do EU citizens have to register with the préfecture in France?
No. There is no mandatory registration for EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens. You can request a carte de séjour voluntarily, but it is optional. You do still need practical things like a French address, a social security number, and a bank account.
Can an EU citizen work in France without a permit?
Yes. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can take any job, be self-employed, or run a business in France on the same terms as French nationals, with no work permit required. Employers do not need to sponsor you.
Does an EU citizen deal with OFII in France?
Generally no. OFII (Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration) handles non-EU immigration formalities such as the visa validation and the contrat d'intégration républicaine. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens do not normally go through OFII.
What happens after five years of living in France as an EU citizen?
After five years of continuous legal residence, EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens acquire a droit au séjour permanent (permanent right of residence). You can request a carte de séjour permanent as proof, though it remains optional. Check service-public.fr for current conditions.
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