Which passport lane should French residency card holders use upon arrival?

Reader Question: I am a US passport holder living in France, with a visitor visa. When I fly into France can I go through the EU passport lane with my card? 

The implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) at European border points has not changed rules on the passport lane that residency card holders must use when entering the EU.

Although residency card holders do not need to register for EES because they live in the EU, they must use the non-EU passport queue.

Passport lanes reserved for EU/EEA/Swiss passport holders remain exclusive to these groups following the wider rollout of EES. Unless you hold a passport from an eligible country, you cannot use these lanes.

These rules existed prior to the rollout of EES, and have not changed.

This restriction includes non-EU-citizen holders of an EU residency card of any type, including Brexit card, multi-year cards and even permanent residency cards.

The only exception to this rule is if a non-EU citizen is crossing the border with their EU family member (spouse, parent, child, etc). 

In this case, they can use the EU passport gate alongside their family members. It is recommended to bring proof of the familial link (proof of marriage, etc) to show border officials.

Potential changes on the way

These rules may, however, lead to frustration for some EU residents without EU passports.

They potentially face prolonged queues upon arrival in the Schengen area, as they must wait in the same queues as many people registering with EES, and therefore take longer to pass through.

While France is reportedly looking into ways to help speed up the journey of residency card holders through passport controls, nothing official has been announced. For example, there has previously been talk of PARAFE passport e-gates being altered to work for non-EU citizens who hold residency cards for living in the EU.

These are in place at both the Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals, as well as several major airports in France.

Previously, residency card holders were able to use these e-gates upon arriving at a Schengen area border (in queues dedicated for non-EU citizens), but this ended in October 2025 with the launch of the first phase of EES.

One reader has reported being able to use an e-gate at Charles de Gaulle airport when travelling to South Africa, although he had to show his residency card and passport.

The interior ministry has not clarified if this is now being rolled out generally. 

If you are a residency card holder and have been able to use an e-gate to help speed up your trip, we are interested to hear about your experience at feedback@connexionfrance.com.