Minimum income
$2,096/mo
EUR 1,823 a month
Stay
12
months, renewable
Application fee
$115
Tax
Worldwide
Progressive income tax 0-45%
Path to staying
- Residence permit12 months
- Renew12 months at a time
- Permanent residencyafter 5 years
- Citizenshipafter 5 years
- Permanent residency 5 years
- Citizenship 5 years
- Dual citizenship allowed
- Language required for citizenship B1
Overview
- Country
- France
- Program
- France Visitor Visa (Retirement)
- Local name
- Visa de Long Séjour Visiteur (VLS-TS)
- Type
- Retirement
- Status
- Active
- Initial duration
- 12 months
- Renewable
- Yes (12 mo)
- Min stay
- 183 days per 12 months
Long-stay visitor visa for financially independent retirees. Income must equal or exceed the French minimum wage (SMIC). No employment permitted.
Financial requirements
- Income requirement
- EUR 1,823/mo (~$2,096 USD)
- Pension requirement
- $2,096/mo
- Application fee
- $115
Eligibility
- Minimum age 18+
- Criminal record check required
- Health check not required
- Health insurance required
Work rights
- Employment not allowed
- Self-employment not allowed
- Own a business not allowed
- Work permit included no
Family and dependents
- Dependents allowed
- Yes
- Spouse included
- Yes
- Max child age
- 18
- Parents allowed
- No
Benefits and mobility
- Schengen access
- Bank account can open
- Property purchase allowed
- Public healthcare access granted
- Must be primary residence required
Tax
- Tax regime
- Worldwide
- Regime name
- Progressive income tax 0-45%
- Foreign income taxed
- Yes
- Capital gains taxed
- Yes
How to apply
- Method
- consulate
- Processing time
- 21–60 days
- Apply from abroad
- Yes
Notes
Must validate online within 2 months of arrival. Renewable annually. After 5y: Carte de Resident (10-year renewable). After 5y: French citizenship (language + culture test + tax compliance). France recognizes dual citizenship. No work permitted. Accommodation proof required.
Also in France
France also offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers