Renewing residency cards proves slow process for many in France

Several readers have written regarding delays and difficulties with renewing residency cards, recently highlighted as subject to increasing complaints to France’s Défenseur des droits.

Problems revolve especially around applications made via the ‘Anef’ residency cards website and difficulty in contacting prefectures. ‘Anef’ is a centralised applications website, but actual processing is done by local prefectures.

Some prefectures have put in place systems to help.

One reader from southern France, who asked not to be named, said he and his wife struggled this time to renew their one-year ‘visitor’ residency cards as British post-Brexit retirees. These cards must be renewed annually for at least five years, when it becomes possible to apply for a 10-year carte de résident, which should ease such difficulties.

His wife received an avis favorable (confirmation that the card will be issued) via Anef in December but was still waiting for her card several months later after expiry of her existing card. It turned out that the card had been waiting for her but she had never received a text to collect it, he said.

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Helpline

The reader had received an avis saying his card was being issued this spring, but was also left waiting to collect it, with a date having now been given weeks away when he had expected to be abroad. 

“The only phone number we could find was an Anef helpline [0 806 001 620]. They will only tell you if they think their website system is working, but they won’t put you through to the prefecture,” he said.

Emails to the prefecture received automatic replies, he added. “But speaking to our mayor, as a last resort, seemed to have a magical effect.”

Two readers from Charente-Maritime also reported difficulty with renewal of one-year cards.

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Uphill battle for residency card

“In 2023, we applied in good time for our renewal for 2024, but we only received it after our 2024 cards had already expired,” one said. “We were told to apply for the 2025 cards immediately, which we did, but it has been an uphill battle since then.”

Another stated that obtaining initial visas had been straightforward, but annual renewals had “become a nightmare”. “We have heard nothing, despite numerous emails. We were told not to send anymore as the system was being overwhelmed.”

Some prefectures have put in place systems to help with issues with card applications, especially where people are experiencing technical problems with Anef.

Systems vary: for example, in the Rhône or Var people must fill out an application form to request telephone or in-person help, whereas Alpes-Maritimes runs drop-in sessions. 

Check your own prefecture’s website carefully for details of such schemes.