What happens if I fail to renew my carte de séjour?

Reader question: In five years I have not once been asked to show my carte de séjour. I do not wish to, and physically cannot, travel, certainly not to another town for fingerprints, which are permanent, to be taken yet again. Retired and elderly, quickly exhausted, I am having trouble even obtaining an up-to-date photo. I am a UK citizen and have been a resident in France since 2016.

Failing to renew your carte de séjour is not recommended because, although the expiry of the physical card does not automatically remove your rights under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, it leaves you without valid documentary proof of those rights.

It is not a travel document in itself, but it is the document that proves your right of residence in France and can be essential when dealing with authorities, employers, banks or border officials.

If you allow the card to expire and later need to prove your status, you may face administrative difficulties. Resolving the situation after the expiry date can be much more complicated than completing the renewal process on time, especially if a lawyer or other specialist help is needed.

A valid carte de séjour also serves as a useful photo identity document in everyday situations, such as dealing with banks, administrative services or other organisations that need to verify your identity.

The requirement to provide fingerprints can understandably be frustrating, particularly for elderly or mobility-impaired residents.

However, biometric data collection is part of the residency permit process and generally cannot simply be waived because a person has already provided fingerprints in the past. 

Given that you have been resident since 2016, you may be eligible for the 10-year ‘permanent residence’ card under the Withdrawal Agreement. This will only be renewable every ten years and gives you greater long-term security.

Keeping your documents up to date

Even if you have no plans to leave France, it is sensible to keep your key documents valid and up to date.

Your carte de séjour is the document that proves your right to live in France, while a valid passport remains useful as an internationally recognised identity and travel document.

Although identity checks are uncommon, foreign residents may also need to prove their identity and residency status if asked by the authorities.

For UK nationals, also keeping a valid UK passport is also highly recommended in case of needing to travel to the UK urgently or dealing with UK administrative matters. It is also required for renewal of your Brexit residency card.