‘Absolutely no problem’: readers share their experiences of travelling in and out of France with a récépissé

When applying for a residency card renewal, it is not uncommon for foreigners in France to see their old card expire before receiving a new one. 

This can happen even if an application is made before the renewal deadline, and should result in being issued a paper récépissé.

The récépissé is an official document that confirms your residency card is in the process of being renewed or modified and provides you with the legal rights, such as the right to work, attached to that residency card.

This means that a récépissé can be used to make border crossings when leaving or entering the Schengen area, as proof of legal residency, as long as you also carry your expired residency card and your valid passport, according to the government website, Service-Public. 

Récépissés for residency card renewals are generally reported to be issued for three months, and further extensions are sometimes necessary in the case of significant delays.

Delays linked to Brexit card renewals have reportedly increased as many five-year cards issued in 2020 and 2021 have now expired or will do so shortly. 

It comes as a lawyers' group for foreign nationals' rights is currently taking group legal action against the Hauts-de-Seine prefecture over renewal delays. 

Connexion readers have shared their experiences of travelling in and out of France with a récépissé while awaiting the renewal of an expired titre de séjour.

A.N.

“Absolutely no problems at any of our border crossings with the récépissé although we noticed the French border officials noted down the details of it. 

“We travelled from France to the UK but had to postpone our trip as our cards had expired by a month by the time we got our rendez-vous to collect our récépissés. We applied in early April. Our cards expired in mid June. We were given rendez-vous for fingerprinting and photos in mid July.”

D.H. 

“Flew from Limoges to Stansted in February 2026. No problem. Showed my expired card and my temporary document. Didn't bat an eye. Same coming back.”

J.P.

“I travelled via Charles De Gaulle airport in January - long haul. Passport control both ways were completely uninterested in either the expired card or récépissé even though they were offered. Didn't even look at them, just waved us through.”

J.C.

“Absolutely no problems whatsoever. Take your passport and expired titre de séjour and a print out of your récépissé document. Tell the immigration that you're waiting for your new one and away you go.”

G.D.

“No problem at all. We travelled to the UK several times with our récépissé until our new card was available to collect. Just hand it over [at the border] with your passport as you would your residency card.”

If you would like to share your experience of travelling with a récépissé, send an email to feedback@connexionfrance.com