Navigating 2025: Post Brexit – Updates and Key Changes

Residency Card Updates and Key Changes for Young Adults in France

If you’ve read my previous January blog posts, you know that I usually tiptoe into the new year, taking a bit of time to adjust to the challenges ahead. This year, however, things are moving a bit faster! With the France show at the end of January and numerous challenges surrounding residency cards, I’m diving straight into 2025 with some important updates.

 

The challenge I faced when deciding which topic to cover first was that there are so many changes happening this year. One key issue, which I’ve discussed on Riveria Radio and in my podcast (link to podcast), is the five-year Withdrawal Agreement Residency Cards (WARP). Those who received their five-year cards will need to renew them four months before expiry—and many are set to expire later this year.

In addition, there are important changes to the healthcare system, reimbursement processes, VAT levels for micro-enterprises, and a second increase in social contributions for BNC liberale activities (with more details coming in next month’s blog).

A new concern that’s been arising lately is that many 18-year-olds are reaching out because they don’t have a residency card and are ready to start working. This is a red flag that I want to address.

If you follow me on social media, I’ve posted updates about these topics, but if you have any concerns, feel free to reach out to us for more information.

Now, with so many topics to choose from, I’ve decided to focus on a crucial subject this month: residency cards for young adults. Specifically, I want to highlight the importance of ensuring that minors transitioning to adulthood don’t run into issues when they need their own residency cards.

While children under the age of 18 who are living in France do not need a residency card, they may need something called a DCEM (Circulation Document for Minors). This card allows children to live and go to school in France while traveling freely with their parents. It’s not mandatory, but it certainly comes with benefits. The DCEM is typically valid for five years or for the duration of the parents’ residency card, and it ensures that your child is in the prefecture system and legally attached to you.

If your child is between 16 and 18, it’s important to get this sorted sooner rather than later. Once they reach adulthood (18 years old), they’ll need to apply for their own residency card. This process cannot be done online and requires an in-person appointment at the prefecture. It must be completed before their 19th birthday. If you miss this deadline, your child will be considered as living illegally in France, even if they’ve lived here their whole life. This will create additional challenges and bureaucratic hurdles when trying to sort things out.

So, if you have a child in this age range or are facing this situation, I highly recommend getting in touch with your local prefecture as soon as possible to start the application process.

 

If you need help with getting a DCEM or obtaining your young adult’s residency card, feel free to reach out to us at tracy@lbsinfrance.com or paperwork@lbsinfrance.com. We’re here to help!

 

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