Brexit : Renewal 5-Year Residency Permit Requirements for British Nationals
As part of the implementation of the UK’s withdrawal agreement from the EU, which entered into force on the 31st January 2020, British nationals and their family members legally residing in France before the 1st January 2021, had their right to reside and work formalized by the issuance of a specific residence permit bearing the notation “Article 50 TEU/Article 18(1) Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU”.
British nationals and their family members who were issued a five-year residence permit must now apply for renewal between two and four months before their current permit expires.
Renewal applications must be submitted in paper format and sent by post to the Gironde Prefecture. The application form can be found.here
Upon receipt of a complete application, you will be issued a receipt (temporary residence permit) to prove your legal status in France while your application is being processed.
Reminder: British nationals are required to hold a residence permit from the 1st January 2022.
British nationals residing in France before the 1st January 2021 were required to apply for a residence permit bearing the notation “Withdrawal Agreement of the United Kingdom from the European Union” on the dedicated website for submitting these applications by the 4th October 2021. This website is now closed. British citizens who have not yet received their residence permit can continue to reside legally in France and benefit from the rights associated with their status (residence, work, social rights) provided they can present proof of their presence in 2020, along with the registration certificate for their residence permit application under the Withdrawal Agreement.
The following may still be eligible for the benefits of the Withdrawal Agreement:
British citizens who reached the age of majority after the 4th October 2021
Family members arriving in France after the 4th October 2021
British citizens who were previously unable to submit their application due to legitimate reasons (health-related reasons, force majeure, etc.)
British citizens or family members of British citizens whose application was rejected by the prefecture for reasons such as failure to attend a scheduled appointment, and who can provide legitimate reasons (health-related reasons, force majeure, etc.)
To request an appointment at the prefecture, please download this form
British citizens who settled in France after the 1st January 2021, are subject to the provisions of general law. They must apply for a residence permit in accordance with the common provisions applicable to non-European nationals
Claire SIMES – Association member