Step 1: Evidence the resources
Assemble twelve months of income proof meeting the monthly threshold.
Guided
- Typical timeline
- 3 months
- Route
- Non-working residence on own means
Is this for you?
- Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationality.
- Sufficient resources for the whole stay — at least €1,477.93 net per month for a single person.
- Health insurance covering the stay.
- A handwritten sworn statement that you will not work in France.
- Valid passport and clean criminal record.
Not for you if
- Any intention to work — employment, trading, self-employment, craft trades or the liberal professions are all excluded.
- Resources below the published threshold, or resources that cannot be evidenced.
- Reliance on family allowances to meet the threshold.
Not a match? Other routes in France
At a glance
Quick facts
No minimum investment; Typical timeline 3 months; 3 highlights
- Minimum investment
- No minimum
- Currency: EUR
- Typical timeline
- From application start
Highlights
- France visitor visa
- long stay France
- passive income residency
Program
Program specifics
- Route type
- Non Working Residence On Own Means
- Eligible residency pathway
- Last updated
- Subject to regulatory change
Information is indicative and may change; confirm current terms with an advisor.
Program overview
The visitor card lets you live in France without an employer, a business or an investment. In exchange, it forbids all work — and the prefecture asks you to sign a handwritten declaration confirming you understand that.
Three conditions carry the application: sufficient resources for the whole stay, health insurance covering it, and the undertaking not to work. For a single person the resources floor is €1,477.93 net per month, evidenced across a year, which the official guidance also states as €17,735.19 annually.
Fees And Renewal
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| First issue | €350 |
| Renewal | €250 |
| Late regularisation | €180 |
| Renewal window | 4 to 2 months before expiry, filed online |
The Citizenship Caveat
This route is often sold as a quiet path to French citizenship. Be careful with that.
Naturalisation requires five years of residence, and separately requires stable and sufficient income from professional integration — language the official guidance calls an essential condition of assimilation. A permit that forbids every form of work sits uncomfortably beside that requirement.
The official guidance does not state whether visitor years count towards the five years. If citizenship is your objective rather than a bonus, a talent card is the better foundation.
Talk To An Immigration Consultant In Bangalore
XIPHIAS Immigration has guided Indian families abroad since 2009, from our office in Koramangala, Bangalore. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Bangalore will take you through the legal requirements, costs and timeline for France.
Other programs in France
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Eligibility
- Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationality.
- Sufficient resources for the whole stay — at least €1,477.93 net per month for a single person.
- Health insurance covering the stay.
- A handwritten sworn statement that you will not work in France.
- Valid passport and clean criminal record.
Key benefits
- Residence in France without needing an employer, a business or an investment.
- Renewable annually and counts towards long-term residence.
- Schengen mobility as a legal French resident.
- Housing conditions and third-party support are both taken into account.
- Suits retirees and people living on passive income.
Who this program is NOT for
- Any intention to work — employment, trading, self-employment, craft trades or the liberal professions are all excluded.
- Resources below the published threshold, or resources that cannot be evidenced.
- Reliance on family allowances to meet the threshold.
Not a match? Explore other programs in France.
Costs & proof of funds
Program fees & proof of funds
Fees listed: 4 line items. Estimated totals: €18,515 (EUR). Proof of funds items: 1.
Estimated program totals
EUR: €18,515
Required proof of funds
EUR: €17,735
Detailed fee table
| Item | Price | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resources to evidence (single applicant) | €17,735 | Across the year covered | Minimum of €1,477.93 net per month over one year, stated officially as €17,735.19 annually for a single person. |
| First issue — residence card | €350 | At issuance | Prefecture fee. |
| Renewal | €250 | At each renewal | Filed online between four and two months before expiry. |
| Late regularisation fee | €180 | If filed late | Avoidable — diary the renewal window. |
Swipe horizontally to see all columns.
We’ll share a personalized cost sheet after your pre-screen.
Estimates only — final costs may vary by case & government updates.
Proof of funds
- Annual resources€17,735
Own resources such as pensions or rental income, or those of a solvent third party. Family allowances are excluded.
Required (EUR): €17,735
Figures are indicative and may change with family size, project selection and program updates.
Approved projects
Government-approved developments or investment options vetted for eligibility and exit horizons.
Retirement in France
Min buy-in17,735 EURHold period12 moPension income evidenced annually; renewable.
Living on rental or investment income
Min buy-in17,735 EURHold period12 moPassive income from outside France; no French economic activity permitted.
Cost estimator
Calculator
Cost estimator
Indicative estimate. Excludes exchange/transfer charges and third-party legal costs. Official fees may change without notice.
Choose a base option
Family size
Adults (incl. principal)
Children (<18)
Government & due-diligence fees
- €3501 × €350 = €350
Summary
Annual resources to evidence
fixed • Qty 1
€17,735
€17,735
First issue residence card fee
fixed • Qty 1
€350
€350
Estimated total
€18,085
Application process
Process
How it works
Step 2: Arrange accommodation and insurance
Secure French accommodation and health cover for the full period.
GuidedStep 3: Apply for the long-stay visa
File at the French consulate covering your place of residence, including the handwritten undertaking.
GuidedStep 4: Validate on arrival
Validate the visa or attend the prefecture for the residence card.
GuidedStep 5: Renew annually
File online between four and two months before expiry to avoid the late fee.
Guided
Disclosure
Risk & compliance
Please read carefully. These notes are informational and do not constitute legal or financial advice.
Risk notes
3 items- This card forbids all work — employment, trading, self-employment, craft trades and the liberal professions.
- French naturalisation separately requires stable and sufficient income from professional integration, described officially as an essential condition of assimilation. The official guidance does not state whether visitor years count towards the five years of residence.
- If citizenship is the main objective, take advice on that point before committing to this route.
Checklist
Document checklist
8 total items
Documents vary by profile and family composition; we'll tailor your final list.
Identity3 items
Identity
3 items- Valid passport and certified copy
- Passport photographs to French specification
- Civil status documents
Sworn translation into French where required.
Resources2 items
Resources
2 items- Pension statements, rental income evidence or bank statements
- Third-party undertaking where someone else supports you
Family allowances do not count towards the threshold.
Undertaking1 item
Undertaking
1 item- Handwritten sworn statement not to work in France
A required document, not a formality.
Housing and health2 items
Housing and health
2 items- Proof of accommodation in France
- Health insurance covering the whole stay
Housing conditions are taken into account in the assessment.
Frequently asked questions
No. The exclusion is broad and explicit — employment, trading, self-employment, craft trades and the liberal professions are all ruled out, and you sign a handwritten declaration to that effect. Remote work for a foreign employer sits in a grey area that needs case-specific advice rather than a general answer.
At least €1,477.93 net per month for a single person, evidenced across a full year — officially stated as €17,735.19 annually. It can come from your pensions or rental income, or from a solvent third party. Family allowances are excluded.
One year, renewable. Renewal is filed online between four and two months before expiry; filing late adds a €180 regularisation fee on top of the €250 renewal fee.
Naturalisation requires five years of residence and also stable, sufficient income from professional integration, which the official guidance calls an essential condition of assimilation. A card that forbids all work sits awkwardly with that, and the official guidance does not state whether visitor years count. If citizenship is your objective, take advice on this point before choosing the route.
Yes — a temporary long-stay visa of three to twelve months exists for visitors. It does not permit work or social benefits and requires you to return home at expiry.
They need their own basis. This is not a talent card, so the simplified accompanying-family route does not apply.
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