The Interior Ministry tells us
The number of Americans moving to France is on the rise, while the number of Britons relocating is declining, according to recent French government data. In 2024, 13,000 first residency cards were issued to Americans, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. This places Americans as the fifth-largest recipients of new French residency cards, behind Moroccans, Algerians, Tunisians, and Chinese nationals. In contrast, only 8,400 first-time residency cards were issued to Britons, a 10% drop from 2023 and a 24% decline compared to 2022. This decline is part of a three-year trend, with Britons no longer ranking in the top ten nationalities receiving new French residency cards.
The post-Brexit landscape has significantly impacted British migration to France. In 2021, residency card issuances to Britons spiked to 99,954 as those already living in France secured their status under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. However, the numbers have since normalized, with an estimated 169,991 residency cards held by Britons as of December 31, 2024, reflecting a 2.2% increase from 2023. Many of these are long-term cards issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, which will see a wave of renewals in the coming years.
Overall, 336,710 new residency cards were issued in 2024, a 1.8% increase from 2023. Renewals also rose, with 879,790 permits renewed, including 325,000 for family reasons and a 10.5% increase in economic-related renewals. However, neither Britons nor Americans feature in the top ten nationalities for renewals, which are dominated by African and Chinese nationals.
Geographically, the distribution of residency card holders varies significantly. Seine-Saint-Denis, a Parisian suburb, has the highest proportion at 26.9%, while rural areas in central and western France have fewer than 3.2% of residents holding such permits. This reflects the concentration of foreign nationals in urban centers and overseas departments.
The data also highlights differences in visa requirements. Britons and Americans benefit from visa-free travel to France for short stays, but neither group ranks highly in long-stay visa issuances. Visitor visas, particularly for retirees, saw a slight increase, while family and work-related visas remain the most common.
These trends underscore the shifting dynamics of migration to France, influenced by geopolitical changes like Brexit and evolving economic and lifestyle preferences among expatriates.
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