Advertisement

French admin websites now accept post-Brexit carte de séjour numbers

The Local France
The Local France - [email protected]
French admin websites now accept post-Brexit carte de séjour numbers
Applying to replace a lost carte de séjour in France can be a frustrating process. (Photo by THOMAS COEX / AFP)

It has been one extra little niggle Brits living in France after Brexit - but a glitch with French administrative websites seems to have been fixed, so they now accept the card numbers of the post-Brexit residency card.

Advertisement

Since October 2021, any Briton living in France, including those who were here before Britain formally left the EU, has had to hold a carte de séjour, proving their right of residency here.

The home address of the card holder is printed on the document, so if you subsequently move house after receiving your card, you need to change the address.

You also need to replace the card if it is lost or stolen, and the card number may be required for other administrative processes, such as travel certificates for children.

READ ALSO What to do if you lose your French carte de séjour

The post-Brexit residency card is its own category of card, different to the one that other non-EU nationals like Americans get and different to the card required for new arrivals from the UK. The post-Brexit card give extra rights, as outlined in the Withdrawal Agreement, to Brits who were living in France before the end of the Brexit period.

Advertisement

However, a number readers have reported that official French websites did not recognise the number on their cards, making using the online administrative process impossible. 

READ ALSO Reader question: Do I need to change the address on my carte de séjour if I move house?

The Local contacted the Interior Ministry about this problem, and while they didn't actually reply, it seems that the issue has now been fixed.

There are two numbers on the post-Brexit carte de séjour - a 9-character mix of numbers and letters at the top of the card and the 10-digit numéro personnel further down - it's the numéro personnel that you enter to the website.

If you have moved house, you need to change the address on the card within three months - here's how.

If you have lost the card or it has been stolen you will need to order a replacement.

And if you have children who are 18 they don't need their own card, but some people find a DCEM (Document de circulation pour étrangers mineurs) is helpful for travel - full details here.

 Have encounter technical problems with post-Brexit admin? Let us know on [email protected]

 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also