Cost of a residence permit in France in 2026: all the real prices

Published on June 16, 2026 · 8 min read

How much does a residence permit (titre de séjour) in France really cost in 2026? Between the issuance tax, the stamp duty, and additional fees like translations, the bill is often higher than expected — especially since the price increase that took effect on 1 May 2026. And there is one cost people forget: that of a filing mistake, which can force a new application, or even lead to a refusal. Here is the breakdown of all the costs, a summary table, and how to avoid unnecessary expenses.

1. The residence permit issuance tax

This is the main cost. The 2026 finance law raised the amounts as of 1 May 2026:

• First issuance (temporary residence card, multi-year card or resident card): the tax rises from 200 € to 300 €.
• Reduced rate: it rises from 50 € to 100 €. It concerns in particular students and similar categories (trainees, au pairs, job seekers), beneficiaries of family reunification and seasonal workers.
• Renewal: the tax remains set at 200 € (and, in certain cases, at a reduced rate of 50 €).
• Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS): the tax rises from 200 € to 300 € (or from 50 € to 100 € at the reduced rate).

To understand the origin and scale of this increase, see our dedicated article: Residence permit tax increase on 1 May 2026.

2. The stamp duty

In addition to the tax, a stamp duty applies for the issuance, renewal, duplicate or change of a residence card or resident card. Since 1 May 2026, it has risen from 25 € to 50 €.

In concrete terms, the stamp duty is added on top of the tax. For a first issuance at the standard rate, you therefore reach 300 € + 50 € = 350 €. The stamp is bought online, on the official tax stamp website or via the ANEF during the procedure.

3. The "OFII tax": what has changed

People often speak of the "OFII tax" (Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration, the French Office for Immigration and Integration) for residence procedures. Be careful not to confuse:

• For an individual, the amounts to pay to obtain or renew a permit are now grouped into the issuance tax and the stamp duty described above (collected via the DGFiP, the French public finances directorate).
• The tax paid to the OFII in the strict sense is mainly a tax owed by the employer who hires a foreign worker, not by the employee themselves.

For the detail of amounts and special cases, see our guide: OFII rates and residence permit taxes in 2026. Since the exact amounts depend on each situation, always check your case on official sources or get support.

4. The additional fees not to forget

Beyond the official taxes, several expenses often add to the bill:

• Sworn translations: for foreign documents (birth certificate, diploma…), a translation by a certified translator is generally required. Count on average around 30 € to 50 € per page depending on the language and the provider.
• Identity photos and digitisation: photos meeting standards, quality scans, sometimes a digital signature.
• Legalisation or apostille of certain civil status documents, depending on the country of origin.
• Travel costs to the prefecture for the appointment to collect the permit or take fingerprints.

These costs vary greatly from one person to another. Better to plan for them in your budget.

5. Summary table of costs in 2026

Certain categories of people are exempt from the tax and stamp duty (notably EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members, or victims of trafficking or domestic violence). Check your eligibility.

6. The hidden cost: a filing mistake

The most underestimated item is not a tax: it is the cost of a mistake. A poorly prepared file can lead to:

• a new filing and the loss of the time already invested;
• translations or documents to redo, and therefore extra costs;
• a refusal, with an appeal deadline in principle of 2 months (reduced to 30 days in the event of an OQTF, obligation to leave French territory) and, sometimes, lawyer's fees.

In other words, saving on preparation can cost much more in the end. A file that's right the first time is often the most economical option.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to pay the tax before or after approval?

As a general rule, the tax and stamp duty are settled at the time the permit is issued (by purchasing tax stamps). The new amounts apply to permits issued from 1 May 2026.

Who is the reduced rate for?

It concerns in particular students and similar categories (trainees, au pairs, job seekers), beneficiaries of family reunification and seasonal workers. To be checked depending on your permit.

Do support fees add to the taxes?

Yes, support is a service separate from the official taxes. Its value is to secure the file and avoid the costs of a mistake (re-filing, refusal), which are often far higher.