WA cards confer broad rights to live and work in the host country and similar social protections to citizens, however an EU long-term card, notably, is proof of a status with EU-wide recognition which can make it easier to move to many other EU countries including Spain, Germany, Belgium and Italy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more:\u00a0Official site updated for how to renew post-Brexit French residency cards<\/a><\/p>\n Exact benefits can vary country by country, but the holder may, notably, move without first obtaining a long-stay visa. They do still have to apply for a residency card in the country, however, the German government, for example, states<\/a>: \u201cIf you hold an EU long-term residence permit issued by another EU member state, a residence permit will be issued to you in Germany allowing you to work, study or undergo training.\u201d<\/p>\n The long-term resident status is detailed in an EU directive and may be acquired by a non-EU citizen who has lived legally and without long absences in an EU country for at least five years. The rights conferred are only lost after six years away from France (compared to five for a permanent stay WA card).<\/p>\n We have heard reports of WA cardholders being refused these cards at certain prefectures.<\/p>\n A spokeswoman for the DGEF, the ministry section dealing with foreign people\u2019s residency, said: \u201cFrance only issues one residency card at a time. A British national who wishes to receive an EU long-term residency card will be able to apply for one and obtain one if they fulfil the conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving said that, when the card is issued, they should hand in their WA card.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0French residency permits: Must they be handed back when leaving?<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThey will not, in doing so, lose the benefits of the WA. At any time when they no longer wish to hold a long-term resident\u2019s card, they can apply for a WA card, which will be issued to them.\u201d<\/p>\n If considering doing this, you will need to weigh up pros and cons (read more about WA rights at the link above and brexit.gouv.fr and about the long-term card<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n A WA card allows, for example, for obtaining a UK S1 when you become a UK state pensioner, allows for \u2018EU pension coordination\u2019 benefits if you have both UK and French\/EU pensions and easier access to certain French benefits such as Aspa pension top-up (WA cards are also free, whereas long-term EU cards cost \u20ac225 (and again in 10 years\u2019 time, on renewal)).<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/visas2.png\"\/)
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