Residence to run a commercial, craft, industrial or liberal-profession activity as your main occupation in France.
Residency to citizenship
- 01Residence
- 02Long-term residencefrom 5 years
- 03French citizenshipordinarily 5 years
Each stage has its own eligibility requirements.
- Benefits
- An initial permit of up to one year, with renewal or a multi-year application where the conditions are met.
- Eligibility
- An economically viable activity matching your experience or qualifications and capable of providing sufficient income.
- Requirements
- A business plan, forecast budget, financial evidence, premises and professional permissions where applicable. Register the activity. Current multi-year progression includes A2 French and a civic examination unless exempt.
YOUR LONG-TERM PATHWAY
Residency to citizenship
- 01
Residence
Maintain the business, entrepreneur or independently supported residence permission and make France your genuine home.
- 02
Long-term residence · from 5 years
Long-term EU resident status generally requires five years of eligible continuous residence, stable resources, health cover and the applicable integration conditions.
- 03
French citizenship · ordinarily 5 years
Naturalisation normally requires five years of habitual residence, with your family and material interests in France, integration, language and civic requirements, lawful income and good character. An individual decision is required.
Permanent residence is not a mandatory first step to naturalisation. The current 2026 language and civic-examination rules must be met, a residence card alone is insufficient.
Each stage requires its own qualifying conditions and decision. The years shown are eligibility periods, not approval times.
