France Long-Stay Visitor Visa: Requirements and How to Apply

The France long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS visiteur) is the standard route for retirees and people living on savings or passive income who want to spend more than three months a year in France. It lets you stay for up to 12 months and acts as a residence permit once validated online. The headline requirement is resources equal to 12 times the net monthly minimum wage, about €17,735 a year for a single person.

You must formally agree not to work in France, including remotely for a French or foreign employer under this status. Check the France-Visas page and your consulate before applying, because requirements for documents vary by nationality. See our France country guide for the bigger picture.

Who qualifies

Non-EU citizens planning a private stay of more than three months without professional activity, such as retirees, people on sabbaticals, or people living on savings. You need stable resources, health insurance for your entire stay, and accommodation in France. If you plan to work, you need a different route, such as the talent passport or the freelance visa.

Income requirement

Service-public lists the visitor residence card's resource test as 12 times the net monthly minimum wage (SMIC). After the 1 June 2026 SMIC increase, that works out to €1,477.93 net a month, or €17,735.19 a year, for a single person. Family allowances do not count, and your housing situation is taken into account. We model about €1,478 a month. Many consulates ask for more than the legal minimum, so treat this as a floor.

Documents you'll need

• Valid passport
• Proof of resources, such as pension or savings statements
• Proof of health insurance for the entire stay in France
• Proof of accommodation, such as a lease, deed or hosting letter
• A signed commitment not to work in France
• Proof of your socio-economic situation (retirement, leave)
• Other documents shown in the France-Visas wizard for your nationality and country of residence

Step-by-step application

1. Use the France-Visas wizard to build your checklist.
2. Gather documents and book your consulate or visa-center appointment, no more than three months before departure.
3. Submit your file and pay the visa fee, which varies by country.
4. On arrival, validate your visa online within three months and pay the validation fee.
5. Before the visa ends, apply for a "visiteur" residence card on ANEF between 4 and 2 months before expiry.
6. Renew each year while you meet the conditions.

Costs and timeline

The visa fee varies by country and is listed on the France-Visas price list, with a validation fee added after arrival. The visitor card itself costs €350 in tax stamps for a first card and €250 for a renewal, with an extra €180 for late applications. The pages we read give no processing time; plan on several weeks and check your consulate.

Taxes once you're resident

If France is your home or main place of stay, you are a French tax resident taxed on worldwide income. The 2026 bands run from 0% up to €11,600 to 45% above €181,917, and social charges apply to investment income. The US–France tax treaty and totalization agreement help avoid double taxation, but US citizens still file US returns. Get advice from a tax professional.

Family members

Spouses and children can usually apply for their own visitor status, with resources counted for the household. Resources can come from a family member, and creditworthy sureties are accepted for the card. Check how your consulate counts household income.

Alternatives

If you want to work, look at the talent passport or the freelance and entrepreneur visa. For Italy, retirees can use the elective residency visa. To compare retirement routes across countries:

Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page — confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.

Rules change, so confirm with the consulate or a qualified advisor.