What happens if I fail to renew my carte de séjour?

Reader question: In five years I have not once been asked to show it. I do not, do not wish to, and physically cannot, travel, certainly not to another town for fingerprints, which are permanent, to be taken yet again. Retired and elderly, quickly exhausted, I am having trouble even obtaining an up-to-date photo. UK citizen, resident since xmas 2016.

Failing to renew your carte de séjour is not recommended because, although the expiry of the physical card does not automatically remove your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, it leaves you without valid documentary proof of those rights.

It is not a travel document in itself, but it is the document that proves your right of residence in France and can be essential when dealing with authorities, employers, banks or border officials.

If you allow the card to expire and later need to prove your status, you may face unnecessary administrative difficulties. Resolving the situation after the expiry date can be much more complicated than completing the renewal process on time, especially if a lawyer or specialist is needed.

A valid carte de séjour also serves as a useful photo identity document in everyday situations, such as dealing with banks, administrative services or other organisations that need to verify your identity.

The requirement to provide fingerprints can understandably be frustrating, particularly for elderly or mobility-impaired residents. However, biometric data collection is part of the residence permit process and generally cannot simply be waived because a person has already provided fingerprints in the past. 

Given that you have been resident since 2016, you may be eligible for the 10-year ‘permanent residence’ card under the Withdrawal Agreement. This avoids the need to renew every five years and gives greater long-term security, although the rules on maintaining residence rights still apply.

Keeping your documents up to date

Even if you have no plans to leave France, it is generally sensible to keep your key documents valid and up to date. Your carte de séjour is the document that proves your right to live in France, while a valid passport remains useful as an internationally recognised identity and travel document.

Although identity checks are uncommon, foreign residents may need to prove their identity and residence status if asked by the authorities. A valid carte de séjour can also be accepted as photo identification for many everyday purposes, but there may be situations where a passport is also requested.

For UK nationals, also keeping a valid passport can avoid difficulties if circumstances change unexpectedly, such as needing to travel urgently or dealing with UK administrative matters.