Retirement visa in France : requirements and tips

France is a fantastic country to retire in. With strong public services, thousands of beautiful villages, a true joie de vivre, and all that delicious food, there’s no wonder it’s among the top retirement destinations in the world.

But before you can start sipping your morning espresso at your local cafe, you may first need to navigate the less fun (but equally famous) French bureaucracy. 

You don’t have to do it alone, though.

EasyStart has helped hundreds of retirees successfully relocate to France. And in this guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know about retiring in France including visa requirements, income expectations, cost, and how to apply.

So are you ready to make your French retirement dream a reality? Allons-y!

‍

Whether or not you need a visa to retire in France depends on your nationality.

• EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens : Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland do not need a visa to live in or retire in France.
• Non-EU citizens : Citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, Canada, and the US need a visa to retire in France.

What is the retirement visa for France?

France doesn't have an actual "retirement visa” category. 

Instead, Americans, Australians, and other non-EU nationals who want to retire in France need to apply for a Long-Stay Visitor Visa, officially called the VLS-TS Visiteur (Visa de Long Sejour valant Titre de Sejour).

Designed for people who want to live in France without working, the Long-Stay Visitor Visa is perfect for retirees living off pensions, Social Security, investment income, or savings.

What you can and can't do on a France Visitor Visa

With a Long-Stay Visitor Visa, you can:

✅ Live in France full-time

✅ Travel throughout the Schengen Area

✅ Access to France's public healthcare system (after three months)

✅ Earn passive income from pensions, Social Security, investments, and rental properties

However, this visa does not let you:

❌ Work for a French employer

❌ Start a business in France

❌ Work with French clients

If you're planning to work with French clients or start a business in France during your retirement, you'll need to apply for a different type of visa, such as the France Entrepreneur Visa or France Talent Visa.

‍

France retirement Visa requirements

To qualify for the Long-Stay Visitor Visa, you’ll need to show the French government that you can support yourself financially without working. You’ll also need proof of sufficient healthcare coverage for the length of your stay.

Income requirements

To apply for your retirement visa in France, your income must be above the French minimum wage (SMIC), approximately €1,400 per month or €17,000 per year in 2026. 

Couples applying together typically need a combined income of at least €25,000 per year, but this can vary slightly depending on which consulate is handling your application.

Approved income sources for the Long-Stay Visitor Visa include:

• Social Security benefits
• Pensions
• Retirement accounts and annuities
• Investment income and dividends
• Rental income from properties

You’ll need to prove that your income is stable and persistent with documents like bank statements, pension letters, Social Security statements, or investment reports covering the last three to six months.

Private health insurance coverage

Although France has universal healthcare coverage for residents, you need to have private health insurance coverage to apply for your visa and initially settle in France. 

Your private health insurance must:

• Be valid in France and the Schengen Zone
• Cover medical care and hospital stays
• Include emergency treatment and medical repatriation
• Provide at least €30,000 of coverage

This private insurance is only required for your visa application.

After living in France for three months, you’ll be eligible to enroll in France's public healthcare system. 

Proof of accommodation

When you apply for your long-stay visitor visa, you have to show proof of where you'll be staying in France. 

Accepted documents include:

• A rental lease 
• A confirmation of reservation for a temporary accommodation (such as Airbnb or Booking) for at least 3 months.
• Property deed if you've purchased a home
• An attestation d'hebergement, i.e., a signed letter from someone hosting you

Other required documents

Along with all of the above, you’ll also need to include the following with your France retirement visa application:

• Your passport, valid at least three months after the end of your planned stay
• Recent passport-sized photos
• A completed visa application form
• A cover letter stating the reason for your stay
• A sworn statement indicating that you’ll not work in France

‍

How much does it cost to retire in France?

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this common question. The cost of retiring in France ranges widely depending on where you live and your housing situation. 

The good news? Taxes and healthcare costs are much more predictable and easier to plan for.

Cost of living: best places to retire in France

Where you settle makes a big difference when it comes to the cost of living or retiring in France. 

Paris is the most expensive with one-bedroom apartments averaging €1,200 per month. Smaller cities and towns are much cheaper, with housing costing half as much or even less. 

Regardless of where you’re planning your pied-a-terre, €3,000 - €4,000 a month should allow you to live comfortably. 

And if you don’t know much of the country outside its capital city, here are some of the most popular places to retire in France:

• Occitanie Region : small cities like Albi, Perpignan, and Carcassonne offer sunny Mediterranean climate, lower housing costs
• Nouvelle-Aquitaine : with well-known wines and cities like Bordeaux and Bergerac, this area offers a strong expat community, an excellent quality of life along the Atlantic coast
• Brittany : the charming coastal towns of Saint-Malo, Quimper, and Vannes offer moody maritime weather and medieval architecture
• Loire Valley : France’s famous wine and châteaux region is home to lively historic towns like Angers and Tours with surprisingly affordable real estate

=> Read also our article “The Best Cities to Live in France for Expats”

‍

France has tax treaties with most countries, including the US, to prevent double taxation for expats. 

As a French tax resident (if you spend more than 183 days per year in France, amongst other criteria), you'll need to declare your worldwide income (and foreign bank accounts) to the French authorities.

If you’re a US citizen, keep in mind that you’ll still have to file US taxes every year, even while living abroad. It’s recommended to work with a tax advisor familiar with expat taxation to better understand your situation and anticipated costs.

Healthcare costs for retirees in France

Healthcare is one of the biggest benefits of retiring in France. 

After legally living here for three months, you can join the country’s public health insurance system. Under this program, you’ll typically be reimbursed 70-100% of health care costs, which can save you a significant amount of money during your retirement. Please note that there are ongoing discussions at the Parliament to condition enrollment to the payment of a fee, which is to be determined.

Remember though : to apply for your visa and for the first few months of your stay in France, you will need private health insurance.

International health insurance policies for expats in France typically cost €100-€300 per month per person depending on your age and coverage level.

How to apply for a visa to retire in France?

Applying for France’s Long-Stay Visitor Visa involves a lot of steps and can take several months. We recommend starting the process at least 3 to 4 months before your planned move.

Step 1: Gather your documents

Start by collecting all required documents required for a France visa : 

• Passport
• Financial statements
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance certificate
• Ordering certified translations or apostilles.

Step 2: Apply online through France-Visas

Complete your application through the official France-Visas portal (france-visas.gouv.fr), where you'll fill out the online application and upload your documents.

Step 3: Schedule your consulate appointment

Book an appointment at the French consulate or visa application center (e.g., VFS Global or TLScontact) that serves your current place of residence. Appointments fill up quickly, so schedule as early as possible or keep checking back to find empty slots.

Step 4: Attend your visa appointment

Bring your completed application, originals and copies of all supporting documents, and payment for the long-stay visa fee (€99 in 2026). During your appointment, a consulate official (or authorized service provider) will review your application and collect your documents.

Step 5: Wait for approval

Processing greatly varies but, from our experience typically takes approximately 2-3 weeks. Once approved, your visa will be stamped in your passport and you're ready to move to France.

Step 6: Validate your visa in France

Within three months of arriving in France, you must validate your visa online. This step officially activates your residence permit and is required for legal residency. The fee for validating your visa is 200€.

Step 7: Renew your residence permit

Four to two months before your VLS-TS expires, you'll need to apply for a Carte de Sejour (residence permit) to continue living in France legally. 

You can apply online through the ANEF platform or at your local préfecture. 

You'll once again need to show stable financial resources, proof of housing, and health insurance coverage (although this time that can mean being enrolled in the French social security system). 

Processing visa renewals can take several months, so start early. Your residence permit can be renewed annually as long as you continue to meet the requirements.

‍

Now that you know the visa requirements, costs, and healthcare options, it’s time to start planning your retirement in France. 

With EasyStart handling your visa, healthcare, and paperwork, all that’s left for you to do is pick your favorite French spot to retire in!