Living in France After Brexit: Rights, Rules and Reality

Brexit didn't end British life in France, but it did split UK nationals into groups with very different rules. Which group you're in depends on one date: 1 January 2021.

This guide sets out the rules for each group, starting with people who already live in France. If you're planning a move, skip ahead to the section for new arrivals.

It depends on when you arrived

• You lived in France before 1 January 2021. GOV.UK confirms you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, as long as you have lived in France legally since then.
• You moved, or are moving, after that date. You're treated as a non EU national and need a visa or residence permit.
• You own a second home but live in the UK. The 90 day rule applies to you.

If you lived in France before 2021: your WARP rights

Your residence card is the Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit, or WARP, marked "accord de retrait du Royaume Uni" or "Article 50 TUE".

Card validity and renewal

GOV.UK says the first WARP was issued for 5 years, and a renewed card for someone who meets the conditions for permanent residence lasts 10 years. You apply in the 2 months before your card expires, and the application is free. FrenchEntrée explains that renewals are unconditional: they don't depend on work, language, income or integration, as long as you still live in France. Holders of 5 year cards are issued a 10 year card on renewal.

Absences

Time away matters. FrenchEntrée's guide to WARP rights says a 10 year card holder can spend up to five consecutive years outside France without losing residence rights. For a 5 year card, it says you mustn't spend more than six consecutive months outside France, or 10 months in total. The Connexion confirms that once permanent rights are held, they are guaranteed unless you spend more than five years away.

Work and family

GOV.UK says you don't need a work permit or visa to work if you've lived in France legally since before 2021. FrenchEntrée adds that you can bring a spouse or partner to join you if the relationship existed before Brexit. A new spouse or partner isn't covered.

What you can't do

The Withdrawal Agreement protects your life in France, not in the rest of the EU. FrenchEntrée lists what WARP holders don't have:

• The right to live or work in another EU or EEA country without following that country's immigration rules
• Stays of more than 90 days in another EU country
• The right to vote in local, national or EU elections in France

If you never got a WARP

GOV.UK says the online route has closed. You'll need to apply to your local préfecture with evidence that you met the residence criteria before 2021, and you may be able to appeal if refused.

If you're moving now

From 2021 onwards, UK nationals need a visa or residence permit to live in France. GOV.UK lists routes for work, study, family and other purposes, and says that on arrival you must apply for a residence permit or validate your long stay visa. Our guide to moving to France from the UK after Brexit walks through the visa and carte de séjour process step by step.

Buying a home doesn't give you a right to live in France, but residence isn't needed to buy: a French notaire's guide for foreign buyers confirms that French law doesn't restrict foreign ownership. Our guide to buying property in France after Brexit explains what changed for buyers. When you're ready to look, browse property for sale in France.

If you own a second home

If you live in the UK and visit a French home, GOV.UK's travel advice says you can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 day period without a visa. Time spent in other Schengen countries counts towards the total, and overstaying can lead to a ban of up to 3 years.

The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now replacing passport stamps. GOV.UK says you may need to give fingerprints and a photo on your first entry, and your digital record is valid for 3 years. WARP holders and other residents are exempt from EES, but GOV.UK advises carrying documents that confirm your status, because without them you could be wrongly flagged as overstaying.

For more on owning without living in France, read our guide to buying a holiday home in France.

Driving

GOV.UK says a UK licence issued before 1 January 2021 can be used in France until it expires, but it can't be renewed while you live there. A licence issued after that date must be exchanged within 12 months of arriving. If an older licence has expired or will expire within 12 months, exchange it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still live in France after Brexit?

Yes. If you lived in France legally before 1 January 2021, the Withdrawal Agreement protects your right to stay, and your WARP card is the proof. If you're moving now, you can still live in France, but you'll need a long stay visa or residence permit that matches your situation, applied for from the UK before you go. Owning a property in France doesn't give you a right to live there on its own.

Do I need to renew my WARP card?

Yes, before it expires. GOV.UK says you apply in the 2 months before expiry, and the renewal is free. If you hold a 5 year card, FrenchEntrée explains that you'll be issued a 10 year permanent residence card on renewal, and that renewals don't depend on income, work or language tests. Check your préfecture's website for how it handles applications.

How long can I leave France with a WARP card?

According to FrenchEntrée, a 10 year card holder can spend up to five consecutive years outside France without losing residence rights. A 5 year card holder shouldn't spend more than six consecutive months outside France, or 10 months in total. If you're planning a long absence, check your position with your préfecture or a specialist adviser before you go.

Know your group, then plan your next move

Life in France after Brexit is very workable once you know which rules apply to you. If you're a WARP holder, keep your card renewed and watch your time away. If you're moving now, start with the visa. If you're buying a second home, plan around the 90 day rule.

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