IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? The French government has launched an online portal that enables U.K. nationals residing in France or arriving in France before Dec. 31, 2020, to apply for French residence permits. The period to complete the appropriate filing ends on June 30, 2021.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Residence permits for U.K. nationals residing in France on or before Dec. 31, 2020.
  • Who is affected: All U.K. nationals and their family members living or arriving in France on or before Dec. 31, 2020. For purposes of this process, family members are:
    • spouses of U.K. nationals
    • registered partners of U.K. nationals
    • unmarried partners of U.K. nationals
    • adult children of U.K. nationals
    • adult children of the spouses of U.K. nationals
    • fathers/mothers of U.K. nationals
    • fathers/mothers of spouses of U.K. nationals
    • other family members who are cared for by a U.K. national, are part of the household of a U.K. national or who require personal care for serious medical reasons from a U.K. national.

The change does not affect U.K. nationals and family members (i.e., those listed above) who settle in France on or after Jan. 1, 2021.

Key Information:

  • The online residence permit application must be completed by June 30, 2021, at the latest.
  • From Oct. 1, 2021, it will be mandatory for U.K. nationals to hold a residence permit.
  • U.K. nationals and their family members, as mentioned above, can apply for a residence permit online. They will need to provide some documents, i.e., proof that they have settled before Dec. 31, 2020, and have secured their right to stay in France for more than 3 months as per the EU regulations.
  • The online portal will allow the local administration to instruct their residence permit application and to invite the applicants to appear in person at the local administration for the necessary steps for the manufacturing of the residence permit (fingerprinting and ID photos).
  • The online portal is available in French and English.
  • U.K. nationals and family members who are not permitted to use the portal will need to submit their residence permits directly in person at the local administration. Additional information is expected soon.

Analysis & Comments: U.K. nationals and eligible family members who reside in France or who will reside in France by then end of the year are encouraged to use the online portal to complete their French residence applications. Employers are encouraged to work with Deloitte to ensure that all U.K. national employees remain in compliance with residency laws following the end of the Brexit transition period.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.