FAQ – Can I stay outside France for more than 6 months?

I have a French residence permit. Can I stay outside France for more than 6 months?

Though, I couldn’t find a concrete answer on French government websites like Legifrance, Service Public, etc, i can share the following details based on the answers from various prefectures, user experiences, etc.

It is highly recommended not to stay outside the country, for more than 6 months. It means that you have to be in France for a minimum of 183 days in a year.

Some prefectures have replied that staying outside France upto 1 year is tolerated. However, it should be done only when it is absolutely necessary because it will have a negative impact on multiple  topics mentioned in the “reasons” below. 

People who hold a 10 years resident card can stay outside France for more than a year.

Some reasons:

• You may face issues during visa renewal.
• You may face issues at immigration while returning back. There have been multiple reports of issues during boarding and immigration. 
• Your French tax residency status will change (resident or non-resident).
• You will lose the continuity of 5 years regular stay in France, which is required for the applications of 10 years resident card and French citizenship.
• There can be other reasons too.

Note:

• In visa related situations, someone’s personal experience may not help you and can even get you into trouble. So, be informed and take necessary measures.
• I have seen so many examples over the years, where people were able to return to France after 6 months. But, it doesn’t give me the confidence to say that it won’t have any consequences.