At some point in the process of residency in France you will need to consult official French websites, which are not always translated. Here are some key terms to help you navigate the application process.
Carte de séjour
This is the common French term for a residency card for a foreign person living in France.
They are obligatory for non-EU citizens staying longer than one year and are optional for EU citizens.
Technically, some cards have séjour (‘stay’) in their actual name, whereas some others are called carte de résident (resident’s card); all of these can also be referred to as titres de séjour (a ‘titre’ is an official document issued to someone).
Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie (Cpam)
Local bodies dealing with registration for French health- care and with formalities of cover/reimbursement for health treatment.
CIR – contrat d’intégration républicaine
This is a contract that must be signed between a non-EU citizen and the French state for certain residency cards.
It is a pledge to uphold ‘republican’ values and to seek to integrate in France. It includes a short civic information course and a requirement to undertake a free language course if your French is not good.
In future (by 2026 at the latest) it will be necessary for those signing these to also achieve at least level A2 (a good, basic level) to later obtain a multi-year carte de séjour.
Epoux (m)/épouse (f) – spouse
This always refers to someone you are married to. The more general term conjoint/e can refer to either your spouse or a civil partnership partner (partenaire de Pacs).
A person you live with in a long-term unofficial relationship is formally referred to as your concubin/e. Finally, all of these can be referred to as one’s compagnon/compagne.
European Health Insurance Card (Ehic)
These are issued by EU countries to their residents to use for healthcare during visits to another EU country.
Post-Brexit, the UK has retained membership of the system but most new cards it issues now are called Ghics (Global health insurance card) even though they work in the same way.
They can be used, for example, when British second-home owners spend time at their homes in France. The French version is called the Carte européenne d’assurance maladie (Ceam).
Inactif
Term for someone who is not working because they are a state pensioner or have other independent means.
Justificatif de domicile
Proof of where you live; often a utility bill such as electricity or gas dated within the last three months.
Nom de famille / nom d’usage
The first means ‘family surname’ and refers to maiden name in the case of women; it stays with you for life as far as French administration is concerned. The nom d’usage is the surname you use in daily life, if different.
Ofii – Office français de l’immigration et d’intégration
An official body dealing with various matters related to new immigrants, such as running health checks and language tests.
OQTF - Obligation de quitter le territoire français
An order to leave France in 30 days is a last resort by prefectures in the case of residency irregularities, such as where a non-EU citizen applies for a residency card but does not meet the correct criteria. For example, it applied to 100 Britons and 70 Americans in the first three-quarters of 2023. It is possible to appeal.
Préfecture
The main office representing the national state in a department, often in the largest town/city. There may also be sous-préfectures in smaller towns but they do not offer a full range of services.
Pièces
Literally ‘pieces’; often used to refer to supporting documents (also pièces à fournir – documents to be supplied).
Protection maladie universelle (Puma)
France’s system of state healthcare rights via settled residency in the country. It is not relevant to British or EU state pensioners settling in France, whose healthcare is paid for by the country paying the pension in the ‘S1 form’ system.
Police aux frontières
Border police, responsible for checking legality of entry and exit of foreigners to France. They are a branch of the police nationale.
Pluriannuel
Lasting for several years; in relation to residency cards this usually refers to four-year cards that can in certain circumstances replace a visa or first one-year residency card.
Profession libérale
A broad term, referring to many kinds of self-employed ‘professions’ from the traditional ‘regulated’ ones such as doctors and lawyers to ski monitors or mountain guides.
Renouvelable
Renewable; for example a residency card that can be replaced on expiry by applying for another similar card.
Stagiaire
Intern on a short placement with a firm.
Temporaire
Temporary. In relation to visas this may refer to a ‘temporary’ long-stay visa, which is not renewable after its end date. In terms of residency cards, it usually refers to a one-year card.
Travailleur saisonnier
Seasonal worker, such as in ski resorts or fruit picking.
