Renewing your Article 50 Carte de Séjour
Residency in France | British expats
A step-by-step guide for British residents in France
When the Article 50 Carte de Séjour was introduced in 2021, not everyone received the same card. British residents who had already been living in France for more than five years at that point were granted a 10-year card straight away. But those who had been here for less than five years received a 5-year card instead — and that is exactly the card this article is about. If that is you, your card is now coming up for renewal, and you are far from alone: a large number of British residents across France are in the same position right now, in spring 2026. The good news? The process is simpler than you might think. Most of it is done online, from home.
Here is exactly what you need to do, step by step.
What Is the Article 50 Carte de Séjour?
The Article 50 Carte de Séjour was created after Brexit to protect the rights of British nationals who were already living in France before 31 December 2020. It confirms your legal right to stay in France.
These cards are issued for five years. When yours is about to expire, you need to renew it. And if you have lived in France for five years or more, you can now apply for a 10-year card — which means you won’t have to go through this process again for a long time.
Before you start
The process described in this article applies to préfectures that allow online submissions — such as the Gers. Not all préfectures work the same way. Some, like the Hautes-Pyrénées, do not have an online submission system. In those cases, you will need to book an appointment at the préfecture directly and bring your documents in person — nothing is submitted online apart from that initial appointment booking. If you are not sure which process applies to you, check with your local préfecture first.
Step 1 - Create your account online
Everything starts online. Go to the official portal and create a personal account. It only takes a few minutes.
⚠️ One important tip: do not use France Connect to log in, even if you already have an account for your taxes (impots.gouv.fr) or your health insurance (Ameli). France Connect does not always work reliably for this particular process and can cause frustrating technical issues. Instead, simply create a new account directly using your email address.
Once your account is set up, you will use it to submit your documents, follow the progress of your application, and receive your appointment dates.
If you live in the Gers department, use this link: https://demarche.numerique.gouv.fr/users/sign_in
Step 2 — Upload Your Supporting Documents
Once logged in, fill in your details and upload the following documents. Make sure your scans or photos are clear — blurry images are the most common cause of delays:
- A recent proof of address (justificatif de domicile) — a utility bill, bank statement, or tax notice dated within the last three months
- A copy of your valid British passport (the photo page and any pages showing entry/exit stamps may be required)
- A copy of your current titre de séjour (the card you are renewing)
Fill in all the fields carefully and make sure everything matches your documents exactly. Once submitted, you will get a confirmation and your file will be reviewed.
Step 3 — Your First Appointment at the Préfecture
Once your application has been accepted, you will receive a date for an appointment at your local Préfecture. This appointment is quick and straightforward. Staff will take your fingerprints and collect your ID photographs for your new card.
Important: bring the originals of everything you uploaded online. The agent at the Préfecture will check them. Your checklist:
- Original valid British passport
- Original current Carte de Séjour
- Original proof of address
It is also a good idea to bring printed copies of everything, along with your appointment confirmation.
Step 4 — Collect Your New Card
Once your card is ready, you will be given a second appointment to collect it in person. It is a short visit — you show up, confirm your identity, and leave with your new Carte de Séjour.
Processing times vary by Préfecture but are usually a few weeks to a couple of months. In the meantime, your existing card stays valid, so there is no break in your legal status.
