France · Retirement Visa

Carte de séjour « retraité » (10 ans)

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)

✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-08 · Our methodology

3/10 diff

Moderate

Ten-year 'retraité' card for foreigners holding a contributory old-age pension liquidated under a French basic social-se…

Min income

—

Processing

30+ days

Path to PR

Job offer

Not required

Not legal advice. This content is for educational and decision-support purposes only. It is not legal or immigration advice. Always verify requirements with the relevant official authority before making decisions.

Direct answer

Ten-year 'retraité' card for foreigners holding a contributory old-age pension liquidated under a French basic social-security scheme who previously resided in France under a carte de résident; allows stays not exceeding one year and does not authorise professional activity (CESEDA L426-8).

At a Glance

Visa Duration

120 months

Processing Time

30+ days

Min Income

—

Path to PR

Difficulty

3/10 — Moderate

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Details
Job Offer Required	No
Sponsorship Required	No
Health Insurance Required	No

Family & Rights

Right	Details
Path to Permanent Residency	No

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Paris

Single (monthly)€2,800

Family (monthly)€5,200

Rent 1BR (center)€1,500

Groceries€700

Transport pass€168

Lyon

Single (monthly)€2,000

Family (monthly)€3,800

Rent 1BR (center)€850

Groceries€500

Transport pass€120

Marseille

Single (monthly)€1,700

Family (monthly)€3,200

Rent 1BR (center)€700

Groceries€425

Transport pass€102

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Carte de séjour « retraité » (10 ans)?

Can the Carte de séjour « retraité » (10 ans) lead to permanent residency?

No — this is a temporary pathway and does not itself lead to permanent residence. Holders often switch to a different route to pursue settlement.

Are there alternative pathways to France?

Yes. France offers 21 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our France country page.

What is the cost of living in France?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Paris: €2,800/mo; Lyon: €2,000/mo; Marseille: €1,700/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

www.service-public.fr

Data last verified: 2026-06-08 · See our methodology

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