Retire in France - Retirement Visa Alternatives in France

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How Can I Retire in France?

A non-EU citizen can retire in France through the long-stay visitor visa. This visa allows you to live in France for up to one year without taking up employment, and it can be renewed continuously as long as you continue to meet the requirements.

Since France doesn’t offer a direct retirement visa, the process of applying for a long-stay visitor visa might be overwhelming. If you’re unsure where to start or just want some peace of mind, you can consider consulting with immigration consultants to help you navigate the process. Professional guidance can make all the difference in planning your retirement in France.

Visa Application Process

You have to submit your visa application at a French embassy or consulate. You will receive a VLS-TS visa, which is equivalent to a residence permit. Here’s how to apply:

Schedule a visa appointment with the nearest French embassy or consulate.
Fill out the visa application form. Print it and sign it at the end.
Collect the required documents.
Submit your application and pay the visa fee (99€).
Wait for the visa to process.

Once you have your visa, you can travel to France, where you have to validate it online within the first three months. The VLS-TS visa is issued for four months to one year.

Required Documents

The documents you have to submit for a long-stay visa application for retirement are:

Valid passport.
Visa application form.
Recent passport-size photos.
Proof of health insurance.
Evidence of accommodation in France.
Proof of sufficient financial resources (bank statements, pension, etc).
Handwritten declaration that you will not work in France.
Additional documents as requested by the French embassy or consulate.

After Arriving in France

Validating your visa

In the first three months of arriving in France, you have to validate your VLS-TS visa online. You have to provide the following information:

Visa details
Date of entry to France
Your address in France

The French Office for Immigration and Integration will review your application and may call you for an interview or to have a medical check-up.

Applying for a residence permit

If you want to stay longer than one year, you have to apply for a residence permit (Carte de Séjour) at least two months before your visa expires. You apply for the Carte de Séjour at a local préfecture (police headquarters).

You will be issued a Temporary Carte de Séjour, which you can renew continuously as long as you meet the requirements. After living in France for five years, you can apply for a Residency Card, which is valid for ten years.

Residence Card for Retirees in France

The Residence Card for Retired Foreigners is a 10-year residence permit. To be eligible for it, you have to meet these requirements:

You must be over the age of 60
You must have lived in France for at least five years with a temporary residence permit
You receive a retirement pension from a French basic social security scheme

Requirements for Retiring in France

The main requirements for obtaining a visa for retirement in France are:

Independent financial means. You must have a monthly income that is equivalent to at least the minimum wage in France (€1,800 gross in 2025). This can be through savings, pension, or other income sourced from abroad. You are not allowed to work in France.
Health insurance. When applying for the visa, you need travel health insurance covering medical emergencies, repatriation, and evacuation to at least €30,000. If your application is successful and you move to France, you have to get long-term health insurance.
Accommodation. You must have a place to live when you get to France. This can be temporary accommodation at first, before finding something more long-term, but you should have some sort of reservation or lease to show during the application process.
Good health. When you arrive in France, you may be asked to undergo a medical examination before your visa is validated.

Settling in and Living in France

Residency

Once validated, the long-stay “visitor” visa (VLS-TS) acts as a residence permit, allowing you to live in France for up to a year. If you choose to stay beyond the initial visa period, you can apply for a Carte de Séjour (Temporary Residence Permit), which is renewable annually. As a legal resident of France, you’re entitled to:

Enroll in the French healthcare system (after three months of residence)
Enter into rental contracts or purchase property
Register with a local doctor or healthcare provider
Open a French bank account
Access certain local social services and assistance programs

After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for a ten-year Residence Card for Retired Foreigners (if aged 60+). This residence status offers increased security and integration into French civic life.

Health Insurance

As a retired expat in France, you become eligible for the public health insurance system (L’Assurance Maladie) after three months of residency. Once you register, you will receive a Carte Vitale, which is the French health insurance card, that allows you to access medical services in French public hospitals.

In the meantime, you will need to register for private health insurance so you are protected for the initial period of your stay. Private insurance is also a good option if you want to have access to private hospitals and clinics, shorter waiting times, or English-speaking doctors. You can choose an international health insurance policy online.

Freedom of Movement

With a French residence permit, you can travel freely in any of the countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, without needing a separate visa, allowing you to explore Europe during your time in France.

But while you can travel, you cannot reside or work in other Schengen countries. If you plan to stay in another country for more than 90 days, you must apply for a visa or residence permit specific to that country.

Cost of Living

To live in France comfortably, you need an estimated €1,600/month as a single person, if you are renting and living in a larger city center. Of course, the precise amount depends on your lifestyle preferences and where you live.

Here are some estimated costs of living in France, according to Numbeo:

Rent

One-bedroom apartment in the city center: €530 – €1,400
One-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €400 – €1,000
Three-bedroom apartment in the city center: €900 – €3,000
Three-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €750 – €2,000

Utilities

Electricity, heating, water, garbage: €120 – €320
Internet: €20 – €40

Groceries

Milk (1 liter): 1.15 €
Loaf of Fresh White Bread: 1.76 €
Rice (1kg): 2.25 €
Eggs (12): 3.71 €
Local Cheese (1kg): 17.68 €
Chicken Fillets (1kg): 12.08 €
Beef Round (1kg): 18.60 €
Apples (1kg): 2.78 €
Banana (1kg): 2.03 €
Oranges (1kg): 2.71 €
Tomato (1kg): 3.18 €
Potato (1kg): 2.02 €
Onion (1kg): 2.15 €
Lettuce (1 head): 1.38 €
Water (1.5-liter bottle): 0.68 €

Transportation

One-way ticket (local transport): €1.90
Monthly pass: €63
Taxi start: €4.50

What Are the Best Places for Retirees in France?

Here are some of the best places for retirees in France:

Toulouse

If you want to experience the southern French identity, Toulouse is the right place for that. Toulouse is often considered one of the most beautiful places in France to live. Although it is far away from any beach, the city has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters.

The city is diverse in culture and nationalities and is the fourth-largest city in France, with almost 500,000 inhabitants.

Paris

Everything we are about to say for Paris is already known by everyone. Paris is one of the most popular cities in France, known for its bookshops, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and many other cultural attractions. The city has an estimated population of more than 2 million residents, so expect a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere while living there.

The city of love is perfect for single retirees who want to jump into new adventures, and who knows, maybe you will meet your new soulmate while wandering the beautiful streets of Paris.

Lyon

Lyon sits at the intersection of the Rhône and Saône rivers, which gives the city a beautiful and calm vibe. The city is known for its historical and architectural landmarks like the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, the Gallo-Roman Museum, the Roman Theatres, etc. It has been ranked as the most attractive city in France, leaving behind cities like Bordeaux or Paris.

In Lyon, you can enjoy some of the most delicious french dishes and shop in luxurious malls.

Annecy

The southern part of France has many great places that offer the right living conditions for a perfect retirement. Annecy is an alpine town in southeastern France known for its Vieille Ville, the lake, beautiful old town, and the main canal that goes through it. The lake is great for watersports like sailing and has trails for cyclists, joggers, and walkers.

Annecy is truly a rare gem when it comes to lifestyle options for its residents and expats.

Juan-les-Pins

With sandy beaches and a seafront promenade filled with eateries and fashion boutiques, Juan-les-Pins is a major holiday destination. The colorful scenery, beaches, and lifestyle make Juan-les-Pins a charming place for expats to move to. The chic resort will be a great choice if you like a more laid-back lifestyle.

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France Retirement Visa