If you are looking to move to France for more than 90 days, then you will need to apply for a Long Stay Visa. There are 4 main criteria that you need to meet to satisfy the requirements of you Long Stay Visa application.
- A valid passport (which must have at least 12-18 months before expiry) + passport photos
- Proof of Address (for your accommodation/residence in France)
- Proof that you have health insurance coverage
- Proof that you have sufficient financial resources
For most non-EU nationals applying for a French long stay visitor visa, the starting point for assessing sufficient financial resources is the French minimum wage, known as the SMIC (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance). As of June 2026, the French minimum wage is €1,823.03 gross per month (€21,876.36 per year), equivalent to approximately €1,477.93 net per month (€17,735 net per year).
For a French long stay visitor visa, you will generally need to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources equivalent to at least the net minimum wage — approximately €1,478 per month or €17,735 per year for a single applicant. For couples and families, the assessment also takes account of household resources and individual circumstances, rather than simply applying a fixed amount for every additional family member.
Moving to France: visas
In this article, we use the term French residency to describe people who are planning to live in France for an extended period, rather than simply visiting for a holiday. For most British, American, Canadian, Australian and other non-EU nationals, this normally involves obtaining an appropriate French long stay visa before moving to France.
If you decide to remain in France beyond your initial visa, you will generally need to obtain or renew the appropriate residence permit (carte de séjour). France also has longer-term residence permits, including 10 year resident cards and, for eligible applicants, permanent resident cards. You do not have to become a French citizen to continue living in France, provided you maintain the necessary residence status.
Up to 90 days – No visa required
If you are a citizen of the UK, Canada, New Zealand, United States, Australia or another visa-exempt country, you can normally visit France for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. This is part of the Schengen short-stay rules, which allow you to spend a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the 29 countries in the Schengen Area.
You must, however, be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay. The French authorities currently apply the following daily amounts:
- €120 per person per day if you cannot provide proof of accommodation.
- €65 per person per day if you have a confirmed hotel booking.
- €32.50 per person per day if you are staying with a private host and have an officially validated attestation d'accueil (certificate of accommodation).
These are financial reference amounts used by the French border authorities. You may be asked to provide evidence of your funds, accommodation, return travel arrangements and appropriate travel insurance upon arrival in France.
The 90-day limit applies across the entire Schengen Area, not just France. If you spend 60 days in France and 30 days in Spain, for example, you will have used your full 90-day allowance. You cannot simply leave France for a few days and return to start another 90-day period.
Citizens of countries that are not covered by the visa exemption arrangements will normally need to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa before travelling. You can check the requirements for your nationality on the official France-Visas website.
3–6 months – Temporary long stay visa
If you are not a citizen of an EU or EEA country, or Switzerland, and you want to stay in France for more than 90 days but less than six months, you will normally need to apply for a French long stay visa before travelling.
For people coming to France without working, there are two main options:
- Temporary long stay visa (VLS-T) – generally suitable for someone planning to stay in France for a few months before returning home. This visa does not normally provide a route to extending your stay in France.
- Long stay visitor visa (VLS-TS) – suitable for people planning a longer stay or who may wish to continue living in France. This visa can be valid for up to 12 months and must be validated online within three months of arrival.
Both applications require evidence of sufficient financial resources, accommodation and medical insurance covering your stay in France. The supporting documents will depend on your nationality, country of residence and individual circumstances.
Financial requirements: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient income or savings to support yourself throughout your stay. The French net minimum wage, currently approximately €1,478 per month, is a useful benchmark. For a six-month stay, this would amount to approximately €8,868 per person. You local French Consulate will be able to advise you of the actual financial requirements.
Health insurance: You must also demonstrate that you have appropriate medical cover for your stay in France. British visitors may be entitled to medically necessary healthcare using a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), while people insured under certain European healthcare systems can use an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Some other countries also have reciprocal healthcare arrangements with France. However, these cards do not necessarily provide all the cover required for a long stay visa, particularly medical repatriation. Depending on your circumstances, you may need additional travel or private medical insurance.
If you are certain that you only want to spend four or five months in France, the temporary visa may be the more straightforward option. However, if there is a possibility that you will want to remain in France for a year or longer, it is worth considering the VLS-TS from the outset.
Live in France for up to 12 months - VLS-TS visa
If you are not a citizen of an EU or EEA country, or Switzerland, and you wish to live in France for up to 12 months, you will normally need to apply for a French long stay visitor visa (VLS-TS) before travelling. This is a strictly non-working visa.
You should begin preparing your application well in advance. Applications are made through the official France-Visas website, followed by an appointment at your local French consulate or an authorised visa application centre. You will need to provide evidence of your financial resources, accommodation and medical insurance.
Financial requirements: For a long stay visitor visa, the French net minimum wage is a useful reference point. Using our 2026 figures, this is approximately €1,478 per month or €17,735 per year for a single applicant. You can demonstrate your financial position through regular income, pensions, investments or sufficient savings. We explain these requirements in more detail in the next section.
Once you arrive in France, you must validate your VLS-TS online within three months. During its validity, your visa generally allows you to leave and re-enter France. You can also visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, without applying for another Schengen visa.
France long stay visa income requirement
As we explained above, to obtain a French long stay visitor visa, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay in France.
But what happens if you are not going to receive a regular monthly salary? Perhaps you are retired and living on a pension, taking a sabbatical from work, or planning to give up your job and live off your savings for a year or two.
The good news is that the French authorities do not necessarily require you to receive a monthly salary. What matters is that you can demonstrate that you have sufficient and reliable financial resources to support yourself throughout your stay. These resources can include pensions, rental income, investment income and savings. However, the type of evidence you need to provide will depend on your personal circumstances.
One interesting point is that the France-Visas website specifically refers to investment income, rather than simply investments. There is an important distinction here. Regular dividend payments or interest income can demonstrate an ongoing source of financial support, whereas a statement showing the value of your stocks and shares portfolio does not necessarily prove that you have a regular income.
If you cannot demonstrate a regular monthly income, you may be able to use savings as an alternative. The French authorities do not publish a savings threshold for every long stay visitor visa application. However, the annual equivalent of the French net minimum wage provides a useful starting point — approximately €17,735 for a single applicant in 2026.
Personally, I would recommend having more than the minimum amount available, particularly if you intend to stay in France beyond your first year. Your savings should also be readily accessible. Money held in bank accounts or accessible investment accounts is generally easier to demonstrate than wealth tied up in property or other assets that cannot easily be converted into cash.
Can you work in France on a long stay visitor visa?
The 12 month French long stay visa is a non-working visa. This means that you cannot take up employment in France or establish and operate a business as a self-employed person under this visa. When applying, you must formally agree not to undertake professional activity during your stay.
But what actually constitutes working in France?
If you are employed by a French company, or running a business providing services to customers in France, the position is fairly clear. You are working in France and will need the appropriate work visa or residence permit.
Remote working is more complicated. Maybe you are a freelancer or you run your own business or perhaps you are taking a working sabbatical from your company. What if you are paid in the UK or New Zealand? Or all your customers are based back home in North America? Does that count as working in France?
The important distinction is not where you are paid or where your employer or customers are based, but where you physically carry out your work. If you are living in France and performing your normal professional duties from there, you are effectively working in France, even if your income comes from overseas. This can put you in breach of your visitor visa conditions.
I know of customers who have openly told the French Consulate that they intended to work from home in France and subsequently had their long stay visa applications refused. Others have been questioned about how their monthly income would continue once they were living in France. So this is clearly something that the French authorities take seriously.
However, this does not necessarily mean that you have to give up your business or employment altogether. If you genuinely intend to return regularly to your home country to undertake projects, meet clients or oversee your business, you can explain these arrangements as part of your visa application. The important thing is to demonstrate how you will support yourself financially without undertaking professional activity while you are in France.
France does not currently offer a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa, but there are other visa categories for people who intend to work or run a business in France. We explain these in our France Visa Options for Digital Nomads, Remote Workers & Entrepreneurs.
Retiree/Economically inactive
For individuals who are not looking to work in France, the visa application process is quite straightforward. The main financial requirement is to demonstrate that you have sufficient resources to support yourself without working. This will usually involve providing evidence of your State Pension, private pensions, rental income, investment income or savings.
You do not necessarily need to receive the equivalent of the French minimum wage as a regular monthly pension. If your pension income falls below the required level, you may be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient accessible savings to make up the difference.
You should provide recent pension statements, bank statements and evidence of any other regular income. The French Consulate will assess your overall financial circumstances, including the resources available to support your stay in France.
Thinking of moving to France ?
Applying for a French long stay visa can seem daunting, but for most people, the financial requirements are relatively straightforward. Basically, the French government just want you to demonstrate that you can support yourself during your stay and you will not be a burden on the state. Don't get too worked up about where your income comes from or documenting every nickel and dime that you have.
My advice is to start preparing your financial documents well before you submit your visa application. Make sure you can clearly demonstrate where your income comes from, that your savings are accessible and that you have sufficient funds to support yourself throughout your stay in France.
Of course, meeting the French residency income requirements is only one part of planning your move. You will also need to consider accommodation, healthcare, banking and the practicalities of settling into life in France.
The following guides will help you plan the next steps.
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Discover how much money you will need to budget for moving to France and the general cost of living in France.
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France regularly features in the Top 10 list of the best countries to move to. Here we analyse where are the 10 best regions to live, work and retire in France. |
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If you are planning on moving to France and to live here for more than 3 months at a time, then it is a legal requirement for you to have health insurance in place.
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One of the first jobs that you need to do when you are moving to France is to open a French bank account. Everything in France is linked to having a French bank account.
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Discover the best options for finding properties to rent in France long term and what information you will need to provide to sign a long term lease.
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Discover how much it will cost to rent a house or apartment in France long term. These are the average house rental prices in France for a long term rentals for 2027.
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Need help with your French visa application?
We are happy to recommend Nicole Hammond, who provides assistance with French visas, relocation and setting up a business in France.
If you are considering an entrepreneur visa, getting experienced advice before submitting your application can save considerable time and frustration.
