Permit for paperwork

IF you are likely to be spending more than three months in France then technically you need a residence permit or carte de séjour.

Although there are stories of people not applying for the permit and getting along fine it is recognised across France.
Whenever you need to show proof of identity or address, for example using a cheque, the carte de séjour is immediately recognised.
Applying for it is also fairly straightforward as long as you have all your papers in place.
Your application is made through the mairie if you live in the countryside or through the prefecture of the department you live in.
You need to produce your passport, three passport sized photographs and evidence of you address, a recent utility bill would be fine.
An important feature is proof of some sort of income as arriving in France and applying for state help straight away wouldn’t go down too well.
If you are entitled to a UK state pension then evidence of this will be required.
If you are not entitled to a state pension then you will need to provide proof of income sufficient to support yourself.
If you are employed, then pay slips or a contract will probably do it.
If you are self-employed, then you should be registered in France in some way - as profession libérale, perhaps, or with the Chambre des Métiers or Chambre de Commerce.
A healthy French bank account will also help, showing you can fend for yourself with a general guideline of around €1000 a month being available.
It is also worth taking along your marriage certificate if you have one and your birth certificate.
A wife or husband will be included on their working partner’s carte de séjour, even if they are not currently working.
You will also need to show proof of entitlement to health cover; the UK’s E111 will be useful for this.
If you require actual evidence then you will have to contact the DSS International Section in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (0044 191 218 2000).
It is difficult to say exactly what papers you will need but the above should be close to the mark for most departments.
So once you’ve got them together photocopy it all and head to the mairie.
When your application for a residence permit has been received, you will be given a receipt.
The receipt is valid for three months and can be renewed until your residence permit is issued, which should be a few weeks after your application.