France Expat: Carte de Séjour

France's residence system (titre de séjour) varies by nationality and purpose. EU/EEA citizens benefit from free movement - no residence permit required for any duration. However, EU citizens staying over 3 months should register at préfecture for a registration receipt (attestation d'enregistrement) useful for banking, employment, and social services. Non-EU citizens staying over 90 days must obtain a Carte de séjour (residence permit) or titre de séjour. Process: (1) Apply via ANEF platform (administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr) with documents; (2) Attend in-person appointment (rendez-vous) at préfecture, appointment waits are 1-3 months; (3) Receive récépissé (temporary permit) valid during processing; (4) Collect Carte de séjour after 2-6 months. Common permit types: salarié (employee with work contract), entrepreneur/profession libérale (self-employed), étudiant (student with enrollment), vie privée et familiale (family reunification), passeport talent (highly skilled). Each requires specific documents. Cost: €225 droit de timbre fiscal. Permits are initially 1-year, renewable, becoming 4-year "pluriannuelle" after renewals. After 5 years continuous legal residence, can apply for 10-year carte de résident. UK citizens who arrived before 2021 use special Withdrawal Agreement permits; those after 2021 follow standard non-EU rules.