Sue

suggest that you address this question to websitee called either Frenchentree or Living France forum. Both are free to register. Perhaps this is a better option than asking this question on a Swiss-based website? Good luck

Sue,

It is hard to offer advice without knowing the details of your situation. Having a CDL, which is the only detail you mention, is completely irrelevant. First, you have to reside in France. To do that, you have to get a French Carte de Sejour from the town you live in. To get a Carte de Sejour, you have to have employment in France or qualify under special circumstances (ie, having a special talent, like being a writer, an artist, etc). If you work in Geneva, having a CDL would make it easier to get the French Carte de Sejour and to be able to reside in France even if you do not work in France.

You have to reside in France for 5 consecutive years before you can apply for long term residence, which means residence renewable every 10 years (there no longer is the equivalent of "permanent residence").

When you apply for long term residence, there is a number of tests you have to pass, including a French language proficiency test. It makes complete sense if you think about it. There is a strong belief in France that in order to get long term residence (or citizenship if you qualify at some point) you should integrate into the country. That does not mean you have to change, but you can't expect the country to adapt to you. There are over 190 nations, and they can't all be catered to.

If you reside in France for those 5 years, and subsequently, if you get long term residency, of course you have to pay French taxes. You will be benefiting from all the services and public infrastructure. If you are a US citizen, you may know that in the US, the IRS expects you to pay US taxes no matter where you reside, and whether you use any services or infrastructure in the US. There is a tax agreement between the US and France, so a portion of your US taxes will be reduced to compensate for the fact that you also pay taxes in France.

You can read about the process, requirements and even the original legislation in the French code, but if you are serious, you should consult a French immigraton lawyer. There are some in Saint Genis, or if you want a really good one, you should go to Lyon. You should know that you do not get a free consultation, but you pay for their time, even if you decide not to retain them.

I believe you also have to have a lease showing your intention to rent or buy a property in France where you will be living

If you have CDL it is very easy to get the long term visa for one year reneweable for 5 years before you can apply to the PR

I tried to find the website with the exact requirements but couldn't so I asked a friend who did it

Good Luck!

Hi JR M, 

Sorry I was traveling and couldnt get back earlier.I so much appreciate you taking time to write a response. I have a Swiss CDL valid for another 9 months, and I work in Geneva. Is it that I need to apply for a Carte de Sejour if I would like to live in neighboring France and work in Geneva?

I just want to be able to reside in France for the remaining duration of my work permit, with all the necessary paperwork for a non-EU citizen in place. Unforuntately, my lack of French is really not helping me. Any guidance on the process will be very helpful. 

Thanks again :) 

SueJ

Hey Mo, 

Thanks so much for the response. And sorry I couldnt get back earlier. 

Is your friend a non EU citizen, and were you able to get more information from him about the process..? It will be super helpful if I can get any leads. 

Best,

Sue

Sue

If I were in your position, I would go to the local Mairie of your Commune in France. Normally speaking they are very polite, friendly and above all helpful. They can probably guide you far better than us, despite that we are long-term residents in France. Good luck

Thank you Shiela, I did go to the marie, and they asked me to look it up online.... 

Hi

You can find requirements in 

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N110

Depending which department of France you live in you may need to go to the prefecture eh if you're in Ain , you may need to visit bourg en Bresse. Or Maubert you can pay in the documents depending on the bus and your situation.

If you need to visit... Take every single document you've ever owned, in duplicate. 

But try to decipher that website and find the form you need first.

Cheers

Kelvin

Sorry, phone typing.. Or maybe you can post in the documents..

Dear Sue, 

I think the best would be to call or send an email to the French Consulate in Geneva. They will have the answer

Good luck,

Rania

The role of any consulate is to represent its own national interests, so the French Consulate in Geneva will not be able to assist a national of another country to find housing in France.

The Counsulate is the competent authority for all matters related to visas. I had many enquiries related to a potential stay in France so I contacted the French counsulate in Geneva and they were the only ones able to give me clear answers

Thanks for sharing your experience.  Let’s hope it also works for Sue.