Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) Renewal 2026 for British Citizens in France

Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) Renewal for British Citizens Living in France

In 2026, the first batch of 5-year Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permits (WARP) issued in 2020 and 2021 will begin to expire. This means that many residents will need to apply for a renouvellement de carte de séjour (renewal) before their current card expires. 

Upon renewal (after 5 years’ continuous lawful residence in France), you are entitled to a Carte de Séjour permanent (10-year residence permit). Once you obtain this status, you can renew it as many times as you like. 

Renewal (Renouvellement) of Carte de Séjour Pour 10 Ans 

To avoid a gap in your status, ensure that you renew your Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permits (WARP) on time. If your card expires and you don’t renew it, you may encounter issues with employment checks, healthcare administration, travel, and other everyday tasks that typically require a valid residence permit. 

You can check your carte de séjour to ensure it was issued under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and to determine its duration. 

• A 5-year residence card should be labelled “Article 18 (1) Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni de l’UE” on the back, and “Article 50 TUE” on the front. You will likely have been issued these cards if you lived in France for fewer than five years at the time of the agreement on January 1, 2021.
• A 10-year card will state “séjour permanent Article 50 TUE” on the front instead of “Article 50 TUE”. You will likely have been issued this card if you had lived in France for over 5 years before January 1, 2021.

After renewing an Article 50 TUE carte de séjour, you may receive a carte de séjour 10 ans, also known as a carte de séjour permanent. Many people who have a 5-year Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) need to renew it to obtain a 10-year (permanent) card. This is why 2026 is important. 

Who Needs To Get A New Carte De Séjour Card In 2026?

• If you were living in France before January 1, 2021, under the Withdrawal Agreement, or if you are a qualifying family member, you will usually need to renew your residence permit now or soon.
• If your card is labelled Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni de l’UE and Article 50 TUE (not séjour permanent Article 50 TUE), it is valid for five years
• If you already have a carte de séjour 10 ans from the Withdrawal Agreement, you don’t need to get a new one. You renew the card when it’s about to expire.
• If you moved to France after January 1, 2021, you are likely not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement scheme. In that case, your situation typically falls under the standard rules for French residence permits, rather than the Brexit card route. You should apply for a new carte de séjour 10 ans (carte de séjour permanent) upon renewal.

Why It’s Important To Renew Your Carte De Séjour Early

Submitting on time is less stressful. If your préfecture is busy, delaying your renewal until the last minute could leave you unsure what to do next or cause stress as you search for missing documents. 

Your work and life administration are at risk if there are gaps in your status. A timely renewal is more than just paperwork. In France, people often check your residence card in situations such as:

• Checks for right to work and onboarding
• Health administration tasks 
• Record keeping
• Opening or updating bank accounts
• Re-entry to France after a trip
• Housing contracts
• Insurance
• Other situations where identity and status checks are required.

How Does the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) Differ from the Carte de Séjour?

The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) card, otherwise known as an Article 50 TUE Carte de Séjour (See Glossary for other known names) was obtained by many British people who were living in France before the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in 2021.

Brits were typically granted a 5-year titre de séjour stating “Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni de l’UE” (EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement) as part of a transitional agreement. 

It was issued under a specific legal framework with special, protected terms, granting you certain rights and providing a pathway to permanent French residency after Brexit. There are no residency conditions required for renewal. This feature distinguishes the card from standard issues of the French residence permit (a titre de séjour) and residence card (carte de résident). 

What is the Difference Between the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) and the Carte de Séjour Permanent?

Generally, a 5-year residence Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) or Carte de Séjour can be lost if absences exceed 6 months in any 12-month period or 10 months in a 5-year period. Exceptions may apply in cases of serious circumstances.

A permanent residence card (carte de séjour permanent) is far less strict, and only absences of over 5 consecutive years will mean you revoke your right to residency.

When the 5-year carte de séjour WARP card is due for renewal, you can apply for a 10-year carte de séjour permanent. If you already hold a 10-year card, you must renew it every 10 years or apply for French Citizenship by Decree. 

French Citizenship by Decree vs. Carte de Séjour Permanent

You can apply for French Citizenship by Decree and be naturalised as a French citizen after 5 years’ legal and continuous residence in France, so this is an option for British citizens who prefer this option over a 10-year residence permit. 

The main reason Brits may choose to renew their card for 10 years, rather than apply for citizenship, is that the French language tests (French level B2) and civic training requirements are a condition of citizenship. 

Tests typically require strong French-language proficiency and knowledge of French history, institutions, and law. Brits who came to France prior to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement are exempt from this requirement when applying for a Carte de Séjour Permanent (unlike most applicants), but they are not exempt for French Citizenship applications.

When To Apply For a Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permits (WARP)/Article 50 TUE Carte de Séjour Renewal

The timeframe for renewing a carte de séjour can vary by préfecture. Some departments let you renew a few months before the deadline, while others only allow you to do so later. You cannot renew online; you must submit via the preferred method of your préfecture. 

The card can typically be renewed within 2 months of expiry, so it’s best to be prepared before then (with all required documents ready) and check the expiry date of your carte de séjour.

The best way to maintain your legal status in France is to read the instructions for your department early, prepare your file in advance, and submit it as soon as your local renewal window opens. The most important thing you can do to protect your daily life while waiting is to file early enough to obtain proof of filing.

You shouldn’t think that the result will always be the same. The préfecture can still verify your eligibility, such as by checking if you have lived in the area continuously and are renewing your right status. A well-prepared file reduces delays and eliminates the need for additional document requests.

What Are The New Civic Training And Language Requirements For Carte De Séjour and French Citizenship? Do They Affect Me?

The new civic training and language requirements were established in French immigration law at the beginning of January 2026. 

• French-language proficiency increased from B1 to B2 on the CEFR scale, requiring a complex understanding of the language.
• A mandatory civic exam was introduced, requiring 80%+ to pass. The test covers French history, culture, values, institutions and duties. 

While Brits will not be required to meet these requirements to stay in France as a condition of the withdrawal agreement, they will need to meet these new conditions if they apply for French Citizenship by Decree.

Those married to French citizens do not have to take the civic test when applying for French nationality by declaration (par declaration de marriage).

Our experts can help you examine the best option for you and your family, between a carte de séjour permanent and French citizenship.

What a WARP Card Renewal Really Means In Practice

There is no single process that works the same way in all departments. Some préfectures use online portals, while others employ alternative online workflows. Some even require appointments at the collection stage. The instructions from your préfecture are important.

This is what a typical pathway looks like:

1. Prepare your renewal file before the renewal window opens. You should prepare the following documents: your current carte de séjour, passport, proof of address (justificatif de domicile) that is less than three months old, and three passport photographs.
2. Submit your demande de carte de séjour after Brexit through the method your préfecture uses, which is usually online
3. Keep proof of filing. You will normally be issued a récépissé (receipt), which you should keep to prove your status is pending.
4. Check your online account regularly for messages, requests for additional documents, or reminders about upcoming appointments
5. Go to your collection appointment to obtain your new card

If your préfecture requests additional documents, respond promptly. When a request goes unanswered or when people upload the wrong format, an unreadable scan, or an old document, it can take longer.

What Does “Délais Fabrication Carte De Séjour 10 Ans” Mean, and What Should You Expect?

After your renewal is approved, your new card will be made and sent or picked up per your préfecture’s rules. Different departments and times of year have very different timelines. It can be fast, but it can also take weeks or even longer. You need to ensure you have proof that your renewal is in progress. While you wait, you should:

• Keep several copies of your confirmation messages and proof of filing.
• Check your account for new information and deadlines.
• Be cautious with your travel plans until you know what proof your préfecture considers sufficient for production.
• If you need your employer to verify your right to work again during this time, promptly provide them with your filing receipt and maintain a clear paper trail to help avoid any issues.

Brexit Article 50 Tue Carte De Séjour (WARP) Card Renewal Costs

All post-Brexit Article 50 TUE carte de séjour (WARP) cards are free to renew. Brits under this agreement are exempt from the usual €200 fee for renewing their residency card in France. 

Do You Have to Pay a Timbre Fiscal Carte de Séjour to Renew Your Brexit Card?

Many residence permits unrelated to Brexit come with a tax or timbre fiscal carte de séjour. In many departments, it is common to issue and renew Withdrawal Agreement cards without incurring the usual fees. However, this policy may vary from location to location.

The best thing to do is to follow the rules of your préfecture and not buy a tax stamp unless you are told to do so as part of the renewal process.

Documents You Usually Need To Renew

Requirements change from one préfecture to the next, but most renewal files include:

• Copy of passport, clear and complete
• Your current carte de séjour for the Withdrawal Agreement
• Justificatif de domicile, which shows where you live now
• Any photo or form requirements that are specific to a department

Common Mistakes With Documents

Address mismatches are among the most common reasons for delays when you move. Check that your justificatif de domicile is up to date, and use the method your préfecture requires to change your address. Even if you don’t have to go through a separate step to change your address, the address proof you send in will still be used to evaluate your renewal. Consistency is important.

Common mistakes that make Brexit renewals take longer include:

• Submitting too late and not getting proof of filing before the deadline
• Uploading scans that aren’t clear, especially of your passport and address
• Using the wrong process instead of the Withdrawal Agreement renewal path
• Names, dates, and addresses that don’t match up in different documents
• Not meeting deadlines when the préfecture asks for more paperwork
• Assuming that the carte de séjour 10 ans result is automatic, without making it clear that you will continue to live there

Can You Be Refused a Carte De Séjour Permanent Card?

Article 50 TUE carte de séjour (WARP) cards typically offer the right to unconditional permanent residency in France, though this is not automatic. You are not subject to the usual conditions upon renewal, such as proving your right to work, income, or tax returns, as you may have done prior to the agreement. 

This makes refusal less likely, with the leading reason for refusal being extended absences of over six months within any 12-month period, or a total of 10 months outside of France. Other leading reasons for refusal are mistakes or misinformation on your application.

What Happens If I Don’t Renew My Card In Time?

You should not automatically lose your rights upon the expiry of your Article 50 TUE carte de séjour (WARP) card (under the European Commission guidelines). 

French law does, though, require up-to-date information and a valid residency permit – especially for right-to-work checks. It could affect more than your immigration status. You should renew as soon as possible if you miss the deadline to avoid any issues. 

How An Immigration Consultant Can Help You Renew Your Carte De Séjour

A Brexit renewal requires you to provide the correct proof in the manner and order required by your préfecture, and through the correct Withdrawal Agreement route. An immigration adviser or consultant can help in the following ways:

• Confirming that you are renewing under the right process for the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement
• Checking the process and timing of your préfecture so you don’t miss the local window
• Checking your papers for things that often cause delays, like problems with addresses and scan quality
• Putting your file together in a way that makes it easy for the préfecture to look at, with clear labels and logical groupings
• Helping you quickly and accurately respond to requests for more documents
• Giving you advice on travel and employer checks while you wait for production

Immigration advice and assistance is especially helpful if your renewal is upcoming soon, you’ve moved or changed departments, your family situation has changed, or you’ve had problems with préfecture processes in the past.

Check To See If You’re Ready For Brexit Renewal

We can provide you with the necessary information for submission, the submission deadline to your department, and guidance on how to avoid the most common reasons for delays if your card expires in 2026. This is a focused check based on the type of card you have, when it expires, and how the préfecture works.

Document Audit For Peace Of Mind

Send us your draft documents and a picture of your préfecture instructions. We will send you a clear checklist that shows what to fix, what to add, and how to organise your file before you send it in. This will include useful advice on scan quality, naming, and what most préfectures expect.

Protect Your Status With The Urgent Renewal Of Cards About To Expire

We can expedite the preparation of your files and provide you with practical advice on proof of filing, employer checks, and travel planning while you wait for your new card to be created, if your old one is about to expire.

Glossary

Other Known Names for the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP)

The Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) is known by multiple different names. The following titles typically refer to the same 5-year resident permit offered as part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement:

• [Brexit] Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP)
• Accord de retrait card 
• Article 50 TUE card
• Carte de séjour – Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni de l’UE
• Article 18(1) Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni de l’UE
• Brexit card

The card may also be called:

• Titre de séjour – Generic term for residence permit/status in France. It is used to refer to both the legal status and the residence card itself.
• Carte de séjour – Carte de séjour typically refers to the plastic card you receive as a residency permit. But more commonly, it is called the Titre de séjour. 
• A carte de résident can also be used to describe this card, and to describe the permanent resident card.
• Carte de séjour 10 ans is also used in place of Carte de séjour permanent for the card you receive upon renewal of a WARP card.

These terms are also used for the standard residency permit and card in France. It can refer to several visa categories and durations. Therefore, it is common that these names are accompanied by wording such as:

• Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni de l’UE: The French wording for the EU–UK Withdrawal Agreement. You may see it printed on Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permits (WARP).
• Article 18 (1): A reference to the Withdrawal Agreement article that covers the right of residence for UK nationals and certain family members living in an EU Member State (including France) after Brexit.
• Article 50 TUE: A reference to Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TUE), the legal mechanism the UK used to leave the EU. In France, “Article 50 TUE” is often printed on Withdrawal Agreement residence Permits (WARP).
• Brexit Withdrawal Agreement (WA): The EU–UK treaty protects the rights of UK nationals and certain family members who were lawfully resident in an EU country before the end of the transition period (31 December 2020).