Long-stay visitor visa
Retire in France on a long-stay visa
France has no retirement visa, so this is the one Americans actually use.
Who it's for
Your money comes from home
This visa is for people who can support themselves without a French paycheck. If your income shows up whether or not you work - a pension, Social Security, IRA withdrawals, dividends, or rent - you're the target applicant, so long as you don't take a job in France.
The money and the timeline
~EUR 1,800/mo
Income to show, per person
about one French minimum wage
12 months
Length of the first visa
renewed every year
15 days
Typical consulate processing
after your appointment
5 years
Then apply for permanent residence
a 10-year resident card
Here's the catch
What to know before you fall in love
"No work in France" means no French employer and no French clients. You'll carry private health insurance for the first year. Paris is pricey, and you'll want to know some French for the visa paperwork. The good news: the income bar is low and there's no minimum-stay rule.
Long-stay (National) Visa
Required for U.S. citizens planning to stay in France for more than 90 days, or for purposes such as work, study, or family reunification. Application is submitted online via EasyStart, followed by an in-person appointment at a French consulate.
- Government cost
- $99
- Processing time
- ~15 days
- Timeline
- More than 90 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
Key requirements
- Valid U.S. passport
- Completed visa application form
- Proof of purpose of stay (e.g., work contract, enrollment letter)
- Proof of accommodation in France
- Proof of financial means
- Travel insurance
- Additional documents, depending on visa type
The upside
Then the healthcare kicks in
After about three months, you can join France's public health system, ranked among the world's best. Add a low-cost mutuelle for private service and English-speaking doctors. Your visa also opens the whole Schengen Area, so weekends in Italy or Spain are just a train ride away.
Vetted help on the ground
EasyStart
France Relocation Specialist
Relocation specialists who handle the visa file and the move.
Kiki Littlestar
Southern France Local Guide
A local guide for the sunny south.
Amber Haggerty
France Local Guide
Boots-on-the-ground help in Paris.
Where to land
Where retirees actually go
The Riviera and the Med
Sun and sea
Nice, Toulon, and the coast, with warm winters and a big expat crowd.
Provence
Villages and lavender
Hilltop towns like Gordes, slow markets, and long lunches.
The Dordogne
Countryside value
Golden-stone towns like Sarlat, where your budget stretches furthest.
Annecy and the Alps
Lakes and mountains
Canal-laced towns, clean air, and skiing an hour away.
Questions retirees ask
How do I actually apply?
Apply online at France-Visas, then book an in-person appointment at the consulate that covers your state. After you arrive in France, validate the visa online within three months or you fall out of status.
Can I work or freelance while I'm there?
You cannot accept paid work in France, and you'll sign a statement saying so. Remote work for a U.S. employer sits in a grey area that many consulates tolerate but don't formally approve, so ask yours before you count on it.
Can this lead to permanent residence?
Yes. After five continuous years, you can apply for a ten-year resident card, and citizenship later, both with a French-language requirement.
Do I need private health insurance?
Yes, You must hold private insurance covering your full first year across France and the Schengen Area. After about three months of residence, you can apply to join the public system (PUMa) and add a mutuelle top-up.
Does France have a retirement visa?
Not by that name. Retirees use the long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS visiteur), a one-year, renewable permit for people who can support themselves without working in France.
How much income do I need to show?
Plan on roughly one French minimum wage per person, which is about 1,800 euros a month in 2026. Couples should show more. The exact number is set by your consulate, so treat this number as a floor, not a ceiling. Be sure to document a steady monthly income, rather than a one-time balance, so the consulate can see consistent cashflow..
Will I owe taxes in both countries?
You always file with the IRS. The U.S.-France tax treaty and Foreign Tax Credit keep most people from paying twice, and U.S. Social Security is generally taxed only in the States. Get advice from our expat tax advisors for your own mix of income.
You can move abroad.
Thousands of Americans have already done it.
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