Residency
France — Residency: Retirement Visa
France does not have a visa called a retirement visa in the pages reviewed; retirees apply for the long-stay visitor visa, a visa serving as a residence permit (VLS-TS) for a private stay of more than three months with no professional activity. Applicants must prove their socio-economic situation (such as retirement), their resources, their accommodation and their medical cover in France, and formally agree not to work. The VLS-TS is generally valid for 4 to 12 months and is validated online after arrival. Holders of a 'retired' residence card can enter at any time for stays of less than one year without a visa. Ask the French consulate for the current list of documents.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceFrance-Visas; Service-Public.gouv.fr — long-stay visitor visaLast reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- Retirees apply for the long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS); France-Visas does not list a separate retirement visa.
- Applicants must prove retirement or other status, resources, accommodation and medical cover, and agree not to work.
- The VLS-TS is generally valid 4 to 12 months and must be validated online after arrival.
- Holders of a 'retired' residence card can enter for stays of less than one year without a visa.
Common mistakes
- Working while on a visitor VLS-TS — it does not allow professional activity.