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France to Increase Residence Permit and Citizenship Fees Effective May 2026

March 7, 2026 6:50 am

France to Increase Residence Permit and Citizenship Fees Effective May 2026

France will increase many immigration-related fees starting May 1, 2026, affecting applicants broadly. This publication explains those changes clearly and outlines impacts for foreign nationals and sponsors. France will raise several immigration fees beginning May 2026 across multiple application types.

These changes affect residence permits, citizenship, APS permits, and visa regularisation costs. Foreign workers, international students, job seekers, and family reunification applicants will face higher charges. Employers sponsoring foreign workers should anticipate higher administrative costs when hiring. Applicants who change or extend their legal status will also experience increased expenses.

France Increases Fees for First-Time Residence Permits

Key changes for first-time residence permits will substantially raise standard application costs. From May 1, 2026, the standard first-time residence permit fee increases from €200 to €300. Reduced-rate applicants such as students and seasonal workers will see fees rise from €50 to €100.

Some permit categories will remain exempt from increases, including recognised refugees and certain retiree residence cards. Renewal fees for residence permits will remain unchanged at €200 for standard applicants. Renewal fees for reduced-rate applicants will remain unchanged at €50.

Long-Stay Visa Regularisation Fee Also Increasing

Visa regularisation and long-stay visa fees will increase for those adjusting status within France. The fee for long-stay visas acting as residence permits will rise from €200 to €300. This change applies to applicants who regularise their status after entering the country. Applicants who need duplicate permits or who change card details will pay higher replacement fees. Fees for duplicates, lost, or damaged residence cards will increase from €25 to €50.

Higher Fees for Residence Permit Changes and Duplicates

If you need a new residence permit card due to changes, the cost will also increase. This applies to situations like a change of address, lost or damaged permit cards, or requests for duplicate permits. The fee increase from €25 to €50 applies to these replacement and update services.

Citizenship Application Fee Jumps Significantly

French citizenship application costs will also rise sharply under the new rules. The citizenship application fee increases from €55 to €255, significantly raising the cost of naturalisation. Individuals planning to seek French citizenship should budget for the new application fee when preparing their submissions.

New Fees Introduced for Temporary Residence Permits (APS)

The Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS) temporary residence permit will become chargeable for the first time. Issuance and renewal of the APS will cost €100 under the new schedule. Certain vulnerable groups will remain exempt, including victims of human trafficking and those under temporary protection measures.

New Fee for Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence

Exchanging a foreign driving licence for a French licence will also attract a new fee. The charge for the licence exchange will be €40, whereas previously this process was free.

France Immigration Fee Changes From May 1, 2026

Summary table of main fee changes highlights current versus new charges across services. These include first-time residence permits, reduced-rate permits, visa regularisation, duplicates, citizenship applications, APS permits, and driving licence exchanges. Stakeholders should review the detailed list to understand specific impacts on their cases.

What This Means for Foreign Workers and Employers

These changes may seem small individually, but together they increase the overall cost of living and working in France. Employers who sponsor international workers may need to adjust budgets when hiring from abroad. Migrants, students, and professionals planning to move to France should prepare for higher immigration costs.

Why France Is Raising Immigration Fees

The French government says the new fees are part of efforts to increase public revenue and reduce the national deficit. Officials also aim to shift more administrative costs toward applicants rather than full public funding. In practice, applicants for residence, visas, or citizenship will now contribute more toward processing costs.

Conclusion

Applicants and employers should prepare for higher immigration costs from May 2026 and update budgets accordingly. Planning ahead will reduce surprises and ensure timely compliance with France’s revised fee structure.