· 13 min read
Moving from UK to France: The Complete Post-Brexit Expat Guide
By Language Lab editorial team
Moving from the UK to France post-Brexit? Long-stay visa, carte de séjour, DELF French requirement, healthcare, and the administrative sequence explained.
Visa options for British nationals moving to France
Since 1 January 2021, British nationals require a visa to live in France for longer than 90 days. The most common route for British expats is the Long-Stay Visa (Visa de Long Séjour — VLS-TS), which converts automatically into a temporary residence permit (titre de séjour) without an additional prefecture appointment for the first year. The VLS-TS categories relevant to British expats include: salarié (employed worker, requires French job offer), travailleur indépendant (self-employed, requires business plan and proof of income), retraité (retiree, requires pension income proof), and visiteur (passive income, similar to Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa). Applications for VLS-TS are submitted to the French consulate in the UK — the VFS Global system handles bookings for French visa appointments. Average processing time is three to four weeks, though peak periods (June–September) can extend to eight weeks.
| Visa category | Who it's for | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| VLS-TS Salarié | French-employed workers | French job offer + contract |
| VLS-TS Visiteur | Passive income / retirees | Proof of income (€1,565+/month) |
| VLS-TS Entrepreneur | Self-employed / freelancers | Business plan + financial projections |
| VLS-TS Scientifique | Researchers and academics | Host institution agreement |
| Regroupement familial | Spouses of French residents | French resident/citizen spouse |
Carte de séjour: the French residence permit process
After arriving in France on a VLS-TS, the next step is to validate the visa online through the ANEF (Administration Numérique des Étrangers en France) portal at administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr — this must be done within three months of arrival and costs €200 in taxes fiscales (revenue stamps, purchased at tabac shops). After the first year, renewal of the titre de séjour is handled entirely through ANEF online. The prefecture visit, previously the most dreaded step in French administration, has been largely replaced by the ANEF portal system — though documents must still be provided in French or with certified French translations. The OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) also requires new arrivals to complete a civic integration course (Contrat d'Intégration Républicaine) including French language assessment and a civics session. Language Lab's French administrative vocabulary covers the ANEF portal terminology, prefecture appointment French, and CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales — family benefits office) registration language.
Frequently asked
Is French language required for the UK-to-France visa?
For most visa categories, French language proficiency is not formally required at visa application stage. However, the OFII language assessment at the start of residency tests French level: those below A1 are required to attend French language classes; those at A1–B1 are encouraged. French B1 is required for long-term residency renewal applications after five years and for naturalisation. DELF A2 or B1 certificates are the standard accepted proofs.
Can British children attend French public schools?
Yes, French public schools are free and open to all resident children regardless of nationality. Children are assessed for French language level upon entry and may receive additional French support (dispositif UPE2A) if needed. School registration is handled at the mairie (town hall) or directly with the school. The CERFA school registration form requires proof of address, vaccination records, and proof of residence status.
