How many years of residence do I need for the EU Long-Term Resident card in France?

The EU Long-Term Resident card rewards long, stable settlement. The main route requires five years of uninterrupted legal residence in France with approved documents such as temporary or multi-year residence cards.

Short absences are tolerated within limits, generally up to six consecutive months and ten months in total across the five years. A faster route exists for EU Blue Card holders, who may qualify after two years in France following three years in another EU country with qualifying work permits. Time spent purely as a student often counts only partially, so check how your past status is counted.