What do you need to get a French multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle)?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Key facts

The conditions in the law

CESEDA art. L433-4 says that after a first year of legal stay on a VLS-TS or, subject to exceptions, a temporary residence card, you get a multi-year card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) on request if:

1. you attended, and took seriously, the training prescribed under your integration contract (CIR), unless there were exceptional circumstances;
2. you passed the civic exam with at least the score set by decree;
3. you know enough French: art. R433-5 sets this at A2 of the Council of Europe framework or above, proven by the diplomas or certifications listed by ministerial order. People who don’t have to sign a CIR are exempt from this point;
4. you had access to free French courses where you live;
5. you still meet the conditions of the temporary card you held.

The card carries the same reason (mention) as your temporary card. The language and civic exam rules in art. R433-5 apply from 1 January 2026. Foreigners over 65 don’t have to meet them. People whose disability or chronic illness makes the tests impossible can get adjusted tests or an exemption.

Who can’t get one for the same reason

The ministry’s guidance on service-public.fr lists temporary cards that can’t lead to a multi-year card for the same reason: temporary worker (travailleur temporaire), visitor (visiteur), au pair, trainee (stagiaire), and the private and family life card given to victims of trafficking or pimping or to people under a protection order. You can still ask for a multi-year card on another ground if you meet that card’s conditions.

How long it lasts and what it costs

Service-public.fr says a multi-year card issued after a first year is in principle valid 4 years (for example employee, entrepreneur/profession libérale). Private and family life cards for spouses of French nationals, parents of French children and people with personal and family ties are valid at most 2 years. Student cards run for the rest of the study cycle: more than 12 months, at most 4 years.

The first multi-year card costs 350 € (300 € tax + 50 € stamp duty), or 150 € for students.

Renewing it

To renew you must still meet the conditions. For most multi-year cards you must also prove habitual residence in France (art. L433-1). Art. L433-3-1 defines that as having moved the centre of your private and family interests to France and staying there at least six months per calendar year during the three years before the application, or during the card’s whole validity if that is shorter.

Related questions

• How to prove A2 French: see “French language level for a French residence permit”.
• What the civic exam involves: see “France civic exam for a residence permit”.

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.