French residency cards and visas costs to rise from May 1, 2026

Many administrative procedures, including the issue of French residency cards and visas, are set to become more expensive from May 1, 2026.

The exchange of foreign driving licences is also set to become fee-based for the first time.

First issue of one-year residence permits (carte de séjour) and multi-year permits

People applying for a French residence permit (carte de séjour) for the first time will see the cost of the mandatory fee rise from €225 to €350.

This increase applies to temporary residence permits for non-EU visitors who wish to stay longer than 90 days but less than a year, such as second-home owners staying 4–6 months or individuals on extended visits.

It also applies to multi-year residence permits for those planning to live in the country on a long-term basis, such as retirees, employees settling in, or family members joining residents.

Finally, first-time long-term resident cards will face the same increase. This affects individuals who have already lived in the country and are seeking greater stability with fewer renewals, such as retirees and long-term expatriates.

This fee is paid via a fiscal/tax stamp, which is required once a residency application has been approved in order for the document to be issued.

When the permit is validated, applicants receive an SMS confirming availability of the document, along with the sum to be paid. The tax stamp can be purchased here:https://timbres.impots.gouv.fr.

Reduced rates apply to certain categories, including seasonal workers, students, jobseekers, business creators, family reunification cases, and young au pairs. For these applicants, the fee will rise from €75 to €150.

If a duplicate residence permit is required (if the original is lost, stolen, damaged or personal information has changed), the same fees apply as for a first issue: €350 under the standard rate, or €150 for eligible reduced-rate cases.

Renewal of residency permits

Residence permit renewals will increase from €225 to €250.

For reduced-rate categories, the increase will be from €75 to €100.

New fee for temporary residence permits

A new €100 fee will be introduced for certain temporary residence permits, which were previously free of charge. These permits are typically issued to foreigners taking up volunteer roles in France, or to parents of seriously ill children.

Two categories will be exempt: women leaving prostitution who are participating in social and professional integration programmes, and beneficiaries of temporary protection.

French citizenship by naturalisation

The fee for French citizenship by naturalisation, as well as declarations of acquisition of nationality, will rise from €55 to €255. 

Visa and long-stay permit fees

The fee to regularise a visa will rise to €300, with €100 now non-refundable and payable at the time of application, compared with €200 previously (of which €50 was non-refundable).

The fee for validating a long-stay visa will also increase from €200 to €300. A reduced rate will apply to certain categories (including students, seasonal workers, family reunification cases, jobseekers and business creators), rising from €50 to €100.

Driving licence exchange: key change for foreign residents

From May 4, 2026, exchanging a driving licence for a French licence will become subject to a €40 fee - the first time it has been fee-based.

The rule of when an exchange is needed remain unchanged:

• Holders of a non-EU/EEA driving licence can generally use it for up to one year after establishing ‘normal residence’ in France (defined as living in the country for at least 185 days per year).

• After this period, they must exchange it for a French licence if a reciprocal agreement exists between France and the issuing country. If no agreement exists, they must pass a French driving test.

For holders of a EU or EEA licence (or a UK licence issued before 2021), driving in France is allowed as long as the licence remains valid. An exchange is only required in specific cases, such as:

• loss, theft, or damage of the licence

• adding a new category

• a traffic offence in France resulting in points being lost, suspension, restriction, or cancellation

• expiry of the licence

The new fee is intended to cover the cost of producing and sending the French driving licence.