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Don’t worry about papiers, Monsieur ... they aren’t necessary!
Come again? Yes that’s what Don was told — a Brit recently settled in the Alpes-Maritimes who went along to his local mairie to ask about getting a carte de séjour. He was told that under new regulations in force since last November the carte was no longer necessary.
Hmm… well, limiting ourselves to EU citizens who are the only ones concerned (with a few others) that new law — n° 2003-1119 — seems to contain some element of ambiguity. Article 8 says all foreigners aged over 18 must obtain a card if they intend to stay in France for more than 90 days; article 14 says citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland need no permit—but there are officials who maintain that the permit is necessary for anyone intending to engage in paid employment. Students and retired people, for instance, shouldn’t need a carte.
But we know too well that what official Jacques says in one place may be contradicted by official Jacqueline in another. Anyway, it’s never a bad idea to have some official looking papiers in this country and, according to the new law — in one of its unambiguous sections — anyone can apply voluntarily for a carte even if not legally obligated to do so. I’d like to hear from any reader with a relevant tale to tell.
 Download PDF file of relevant EU Directive. [Adobe Acrobat PDF - 188.9 KB]
Link to Relevant French legislation regarding Residents cards for EU citizens.
From Reporter Issue 102
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Expat Issues 
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