Integration and Brexit: French Ministry advice

Will British nationals have to sign up to a contrat d'intégration républicain (CIR)?

[Editor’s note: This is a pledge by a non-EU/EEA citizen seeking long-term residency in France, to adhere to ‘republican values’ such as equality and non-discrimination.

It also requires an interview with an official from OFII (Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration), to advise the person with regard to how they can integrate well, a short course in French institutions and society, a language test plus an agreement to take French lessons if the person’s level of French language skill is low].

British people already living in France at the date of Brexit

Under Article L. 311-9 of the main French immigration law, Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (Ceseda), the personalised republican integration programme is aimed at foreign people: "admitted for the first time to reside in France, or who enter France legally between the ages of 16 and 18, and who wish to remain in France for the long term".

British nationals already legally residing in France as European citizens cannot be considered, as of March 30, 2019, as "admitted for the first time to reside in France". They will therefore not be affected by the signing of the CIR.

British people coming to live in France after Brexit

On the other hand, the CIR will have to be signed by all British nationals coming to live in France from the date of entry into force of Brexit, apart from in cases where this is not required according to ordinary immigration law for non-EU/EEA citizens [ie. those residency card and/or visa combinations for which the CIR is not required].

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