Is it still possible to apply for a ‘Brexit’ card to live in France?

Reader Question: I own two homes in Normandy, one of which for nearly 30 years. I plan on retiring soon and want to live in France but it is difficult with the 90-day limit. Can I apply for a Brexit card as a retiree? 

The Withdrawal Agreement (often referred to as ‘Brexit’) card is a residency permit for people who were living in France or another EU member state prior to the UK leaving the European Union. 

To be eligible, you had to have your main residency (not just a second home) in an EU country prior to 2021, making the EU your primary residence. 

You then had to apply for the residency card prior to a deadline set by the country you resided in.

In France, people were asked to apply by June 30, 2021, though some applications were accepted later in that year. Since then, cards are only issued exceptionally if someone provides strong reasons for them not having been able to apply during this period. 

Another exists for certain close family members of WA card holders wanting to come to live with them in France. 

The cards have been under discussion again lately because the first five-year cards (for those who had not yet been living in France for at least five years at the time of applying) are soon to be up for renewal. 

However, other than the exceptions mentioned, no new cards are to be issued. 

Other visas and residency cards are an option for you

However, this does not mean you cannot spend longer periods in France, or move to the country, though there are conditions. 

One option is a six-month visa de long séjour temporaire. Combining this with your 90-day visa free allowance in the EU, you could spend up to nine months of a given year in France. 

Be aware though, that spending more of the year in France than any other country is one test for having established tax residency in the country (requiring an annual declaration of worldwide income to France).

Alternatively, as a retiree you can apply for a one-year VLS-TS, and then renew this for a residency card (carte de séjour ‘visiteur’) in subsequent years.

After five years in France it is possible to apply for a 10-year residency card called carte de résident de longue durée-UE.

As a retiree, you will need to prove you have self-sufficient income levels, but if you are over the age of 65, will not need to take a language test.