In force 26 Jan 2024
Carte de résident residency requirement raised from 5 to 7 years
The continuous legal residence required to obtain the long-term "carte de résident" (10-year renewable permit) rose from five to seven years under Law 2024-42. Applicants must also demonstrate B1-level French (up from A2), and sign the Republican Engagement Contract committing to respecting French Republican principles. Does not affect naturalisation timelines, which remain five years of residence.
Who it affects: Non-EU long-term residents seeking the carte de résident — now a longer wait.
Légifrance — French Official Legal Publication ↗ · Service-Public.fr — Official administrative portal ↗ · verified 2026-04-19