Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residency Card in France: What Are Your Rights?

If you were living in France prior to the 31st of December 2020, you should have applied for your WA residency card prior to October 4, 2021.

Two types of card were issued – a 10-year residency card for those who had already been living in France for more than five years prior to Brexit and a 5-year card for those who had been living in France for less than five years prior to Brexit. Both cards afford recipients the same rights, but the 5-year card will, of course, need to be renewed sooner – upon renewal, 5-year cardholders will be issued a 10-year card.

If you hold a WA residency card, it will be clearly marked on the card:

CARTE DE SEJOUR – ARTICLE 50 TUE

or

SÉJOUR PERMANENT – ARTICLE 50 TUE

(on the front of the card)

and

ARTICLE 18 (1) ACCORD DE RETRAIT DU ROYAUME-UNI DE L’UE

(on the back of the card)

 If you moved to France or applied for a carte de séjour after Brexit, you will not have been issued a WA residency card and therefore, will not be afforded the same rights (the rare exceptions to this are spouses or direct dependant family members who applied to join their family post-Brexit and children resident in France prior to Brexit who must apply for their WA residency card when they turn 18).

Reader Q: Are My Children Covered by the Withdrawal Agreement When They Turn 18?