What changed for Americans in France

This is not a full list of every change. A rule can also change after the day we read it, so check the date on each entry. How we check has the details. You can follow this page with its own feed.

1. May 12 2026

   Swapping a foreign driving licence now costs 40 euros

   Takes effect on this date.

   Exchanging a licence from outside the EU and the EEA for a French one now carries a stamp duty. Some European licences must be exchanged too. You pay online. The planned start of 4 May was pushed back to 12 May.

   Before

   The exchange was free. The notice says it "devient payant", which means it becomes payable.

   Now

   40 euros from 12 May 2026 (20 euros in Guyane). You can drive on a non-EU licence for one year after you establish normal residence in France, meaning at least 185 days in a calendar year. After that you must exchange it, if France has a reciprocity agreement with the issuing country.

   Source: Service-Public, A18887: Exchanging a European or foreign driving licence for a French one becomes payable (Publié le 22 avril 2026, mise à jour le 30 avril 2026). We read it on Oct 28, 2026.

   Guides this touches: Exchanging a US License in France: The 18 States and the 1-Year Deadline, How to Move to France from the US: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Americans (2026), What It Actually Costs to Move to France from the US: The One-Time Bill (2026).

2. May 1 2026

   The long-stay visa tax went from 200 to 300 euros

   Takes effect on this date.

   This is the tax on a long-stay visa that works as a residence permit (VLS-TS), or that exempts you from one. A reduced rate applies to some statuses, among them seasonal worker, student, family reunification, and job search or business creation.

   Before

   200 euros, or 50 euros at the reduced rate.

   Now

   300 euros, or 100 euros at the reduced rate, since 1 May 2026.

   Source: Service-Public, A18881: Residence permits, increase in the taxes charged to foreigners from 1 May (Publié le 22 avril 2026, mise à jour le 12 mai 2026). We read it on Oct 28, 2026.

   Guides this touches: What It Actually Costs to Move to France from the US: The One-Time Bill (2026), OFII Validation: The 3-Month Deadline and What Happens If You Miss It, How to Move to France from the US: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Americans (2026).

3. May 1 2026

   The naturalization stamp went from 55 to 255 euros

   Takes effect on this date.

   This is the tax stamp for a naturalization or reinstatement application and for a declaration of nationality, for example by marriage.

   Before

   55 euros (27.50 euros in Guyane).

   Now

   255 euros (127.50 euros in Guyane) since 1 May 2026.

   Source: Service-Public, A18881: Residence permits, increase in the taxes charged to foreigners from 1 May (Publié le 22 avril 2026, mise à jour le 12 mai 2026). We read it on Oct 28, 2026.

   Guides this touches: French Citizenship by Marriage for Americans: The Declaration After 4 Years (2026), French Citizenship for Americans: The Complete Naturalization Guide (2026), What It Actually Costs to Move to France from the US: The One-Time Bill (2026).

4. May 1 2026

   A first residence permit now costs 350 euros in stamps

   Takes effect on this date.

   This is the tax stamp you buy when a first temporary card, multi-year card or resident card is issued. A duplicate costs the same. A reduced rate covers some statuses, for example seasonal worker, student, job search or business creation, family reunification and au pair.

   Before

   225 euros, or 75 euros at the reduced rate.

   Now

   350 euros, or 150 euros at the reduced rate, since 1 May 2026. The visitor card page (F302) and the 10-year resident card page (F2208), both read on 28 October 2026, also show 350 euros for a first issue.

   Source: Service-Public, A18881: Residence permits, increase in the taxes charged to foreigners from 1 May (Publié le 22 avril 2026, mise à jour le 12 mai 2026). We read it on Oct 28, 2026. Also read: Service-Public, F302: temporary residence card, visitor (Vérifié le 01 juin 2026), Service-Public, F2208: 10-year resident card (Vérifié le 01 juillet 2026).

   Guides this touches: What It Actually Costs to Move to France from the US: The One-Time Bill (2026), The 10-Year Carte de Résident for Americans in France: How to Apply and Why It Matters, How to Move to France from the US: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Americans (2026).

5. May 1 2026

   Renewing a residence permit now costs 250 euros in stamps

   Takes effect on this date.

   This is the tax stamp for renewing a residence permit.

   Before

   225 euros, or 75 euros at the reduced rate.

   Now

   250 euros, or 100 euros at the reduced rate, since 1 May 2026. The visitor card page (F302), read on 28 October 2026, also shows 250 euros for a renewal.

   Source: Service-Public, A18881: Residence permits, increase in the taxes charged to foreigners from 1 May (Publié le 22 avril 2026, mise à jour le 12 mai 2026). We read it on Oct 28, 2026. Also read: Service-Public, F302: temporary residence card, visitor (Vérifié le 01 juin 2026).

   Guides this touches: Renewing Your Carte de Séjour on ANEF: The Step-by-Step Guide for Americans by Permit Type, What It Actually Costs to Move to France from the US: The One-Time Bill (2026), The 10-Year Carte de Résident for Americans in France: How to Apply and Why It Matters.

6. Apr 10 2026

   The EU Entry/Exit System is fully running and passports are no longer stamped

   Takes effect on this date.

   The EES registers non-EU travellers electronically at the external borders of the 29 European countries that use it. It was rolled out gradually over six months.

   Before

   Until 9 April 2026, passport stamping and electronic registration ran side by side.

   Now

   From 10 April 2026 the EES is fully operational at every external border crossing of the countries that use it. Manual passport stamping is abolished.

   Source: EU Travel to Europe, EES FAQ (no page date). We read it on Oct 28, 2026.

   Guides this touches: EES Explained: The New Biometric Entry/Exit System for Americans (2026), EES Now Counts Your Days for You: Scouting Trips and Your 90/180 Allowance, How Long Can Americans Stay in France Without a Visa? The 90/180-Day Schengen Rule Explained (2026).

7. Jan 1 2026

   A civic exam is now required before a multi-year card or naturalization

   Takes effect on this date.

   From 1 January 2026 you must pass the civic exam to get naturalization, or a multi-year card or a resident card if you come from a non-EU country. It is a 45-minute digital multiple-choice test with 40 questions (28 on general knowledge and 12 on situations). You need 32 right answers, which is 80 percent. You take it before you apply. Renewing a multi-year card or a resident card does not require it. The certificate does not expire.

   Before

   For a multi-year permit, the civic training came after the permit was issued, under the republican integration contract.

   Now

   From 1 January 2026 the training comes first. It lasts 24 hours over 4 days and ends with the exam.

   Source: Service-Public, A18713: A new civic exam for foreigners who want to settle in France (Publié le 18 décembre 2025). We read it on Oct 28, 2026.

   Guides this touches: Does France Have a Civic Exam for Naturalization? The French Citizenship Civic Assessment in 2026, French Citizenship for Americans: The Complete Naturalization Guide (2026), The 10-Year Carte de Résident for Americans in France: How to Apply and Why It Matters.

8. Jan 1 2026

   The US foreign earned income exclusion rose for tax year 2026

   Takes effect on this date.

   This is the most foreign earned income a qualifying person can exclude from US federal income tax on Form 2555. The IRS set the 2026 figure in its yearly inflation adjustments. It applies to the return you file in 2027, not the one you file in 2026.

   Before

   $130,000 for tax year 2025.

   Now

   $132,900 for tax year 2026. The IRS page on the exclusion still listed amounts only up to 2023 when we read it, so the figure comes from the IRS announcement of 9 October 2025.

   Source: IRS, IR-2025-103: tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 (IR-2025-103, Oct. 9, 2025). We read it on Oct 28, 2026. Also read: IRS, Foreign earned income exclusion (amounts listed up to 2023).

   Guides this touches: US Taxes When You Live in France: FBAR, FATCA, Form 2555 and the Tax Treaty Explained, US Expat Back Taxes in France: The Streamlined Procedure, Step by Step.

9. Jan 1 2026

   The French level for naturalization and marriage went from B1 to B2

   Takes effect on this date.

   Decree 2025-648 of 15 July 2025 changed decree 93-1362. Someone who applies for naturalization or reinstatement, or who declares French nationality by marriage, must now show spoken and written French at B2 of the European framework (CEFR). Article 11 of the decree sets the start: declarations by marriage made from 1 January 2026, and naturalization or reinstatement applications filed from that date. A test certificate must be less than two years old (Service-Public F11926).

   Before

   Level B1, for both procedures. This is the version of decree 93-1362 in force on 17 July 2025.

   Now

   Level B2, in force from 18 July 2025 and applied from 1 January 2026. Service-Public F11926, read the same day, states B2 for both procedures.

   Source: Légifrance, decree 93-1362 of 30 December 1993, version in force on 18 July 2025 (articles 14 and 37) (in force from 18 July 2025). We read it on Oct 28, 2026. Also read: Légifrance, decree 93-1362, version in force on 17 July 2025 (the B1 wording) (in force on 17 July 2025), Légifrance, decree 2025-648 of 15 July 2025 (article 11, start dates) (in force from 18 July 2025), Service-Public, F11926: proving your level of French for French nationality (Vérifié le 01 janvier 2026).

   Guides this touches: French Citizenship for Americans: The Complete Naturalization Guide (2026), French Citizenship by Marriage for Americans: The Declaration After 4 Years (2026), How Much French Do You Need to Move to France? Language Requirements for Your Visa, Renewals, and Daily Life.

10. Dec 30 2025

    A new health contribution for some PUMa members has no amount yet

    Adopted on this date. No start date is set yet.

    The social security financing law of 30 December 2025 creates a financial contribution for some people covered by PUMa, the universal health coverage. It applies to people who live in France on a stable and regular basis, have no professional activity, and do not pay CSG, CRDS and the health insurance contribution because of an international convention.

    Before

    No such contribution existed.

    Now

    The contribution is enacted. A decree is expected to set its amount. When we read the page it had not been published, and Service-Public says its current information stays valid until then.

    Source: Service-Public, F34308: What is the protection universelle maladie (Puma)? (Vérifié le 13 mai 2026). We read it on Oct 28, 2026.

    Guides this touches: France's 2026 Healthcare Contribution: Do You Owe It, and How Much?, CPAM Registration for Americans: The Incomplete File That Costs You Months.

11. Read, no change

    Read and still the same

    ETIAS is not running yet. The FAQ says no applications are collected, and that the EU will announce the start date several months before launch.

    Source: EU Travel to Europe, ETIAS FAQ. We read it on Oct 28, 2026. Guide: ETIAS for Americans: Not Live Yet, and What Actually Blocks You at the Border.