-
Christmas gifts: from what sum must they be declared to French tax office
The process for declaration is moving fully online from January 2026
-
Residency rights and border changes: What's new and changing in France in 2026
Including the EU’s launch of travel authorisation scheme ETIAS and the continued ‘phase in’ of its digital borders system, EES
-
Why up to 200,000 households in France risk paying tax – or paying more – in 2026
Lack of a 2026 full budget has many implications
Foreign retirees in France get clarification on income requirements
An Interior Ministry spokesman has clarified the level of income retirees need to convert a visitor visa to a 10-year 'carte de résident'
Foreign residents in France on visitor visas (retirees and early-retirees) need only show an income equivalent to the ‘net’ Smic minimum wage, not the brut (gross) Smic, to convert their cards to a 10-year carte de résident after five years in France.
Read more: French visas: no rise in income levels for Britons, says official
Read more: Brexit news in brief: French visa proof of income update, 90/180 rule
An official website refers to the Smic brut for this purpose, which is €20,147 and is usually an amount before employee’s social charges.
The net, after the charges, is €15,949.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said the brut would only be relevant to foreign workers.
Retirees only need to show the same as when they first apply to come, ie. an amount based on the net Smic.
It is the amount actually received, in their case, that counts.
Related articles
Grants, savings, tax: how will your finances change in France in 2023?
Social charges, sick leave, SMIC: Change for workers in France in 2023
Two million independent workers in France to see social charges drop
