Can I travel freely in the EU with a French 'Brexit' residency card?

Reader Question: I have a 10 year carte de séjour permanent issued in 2021. Does this allow me to travel to other EU countries without a visa or would I have to apply for a carte de résident de longue-durée UE? 

Special cards were designed for Britons living in France before the end of the Brexit transition period on January 1, 2021. 

These aimed to help people to continue living as before allowing the holder the right to live and work in France without restrictions. 

They are called Brexit Withdrawal Agreement (WA) resident cards. 

There are two types. The ‘permanent stay’ type is issued for ten years and easily renewable. The second type is issued for five years and can be renewed into the ‘permanent stay’ type. 

As you have a ten-year, ‘permanent stay’ Brexit card you are considered resident in France. However this does not mean you have the same rights as the holders of an EU passport. 

 Read more:  How is a French ‘carte de résident’ different to a ‘carte de séjour’?

Can I travel to other countries without a visa?

The French Brexit WA card gives you the right to live and work in France. 

This means that you can visit other EU countries with your residency card and a passport, and without needing a visa. 

However, as you are still a British citizen you need to respect the 90/180 day rule. In every rolling 180 day period, you can only stay 90 days in the EU. This, of course, does not include France where you can stay without these restrictions. 

Your passport probably will not be stamped when you visit another EU country. However if it is determined you have been in that country for more than 90 days you can be required to leave. 

Read more: How will new border checks affect British residents of France?

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What are the advantages of a ‘carte de résident de longue-durée UE’?

You can apply for a carte de résident de longue-durée UE. 

This will not affect the 90/180 day rule, so you will not be able to travel within the EU for longer than three months in a six month period. 

It does mean that if you move abroad in the EU you can directly apply for a carte de séjour without needing to apply for a visa in the meantime. This needs to be done within three months of moving. 

It does not help you to travel without a visa for longer periods if you plan to remain living in France.