Residence permit lost, stolen or damaged: what to do in 2026

By The FrenchPappers team · Published on 20 July 2026 · Last checked on 20 July 2026 · 6 min read

If you lose your residence permit or it is stolen, report the theft at a police station or gendarmerie, then apply for a duplicate on the ANEF. In 2026, this duplicate costs €350 (or €150 for certain permits); it is free in the event of deterioration not attributable to you. Allow several weeks of processing time.

Loss or theft: the right reflexes within 48 hours

Losing your residence permit, or having it stolen, causes legitimate worry. Rest assured: losing the physical card does not make you lose your right to stay. The duplicate you obtain carries exactly the same validity dates as the original. What matters is acting quickly and in the right order, to secure your situation and prevent any fraudulent use of your document.

Here is the timeline we advise you to follow as soon as you notice the loss or theft:

• In the event of theft : go to the nearest police station or gendarmerie to file a theft declaration. You leave with a complaint acknowledgement (récépissé de plainte).
• In the event of loss : prepare a sworn declaration of loss (it is attached directly to the online application, with no mandatory visit to the police station).
• Gather your documents: passport, proof of address less than 3 months old, an ID photo meeting the standards.
• Submit your duplicate application on the ANEF, the official platform of the Ministère de l'Intérieur.

Declaration of loss or theft: where and how

The distinction between loss and theft is not merely a formality: it determines the document you will have to provide. For a theft, only a police or gendarmerie service can register your declaration and issue you an acknowledgement of receipt (récépissé). This document certifies that you are no longer in possession of your permit and protects your liability in the event of fraudulent use of the stolen card.

For a loss, the process is lighter: a sworn declaration (déclaration sur l'honneur), written by you and signed, is accepted. It is incorporated into your online application. In principle, you therefore do not need to go to a police station for a simple loss. Always keep a copy of what you declare: it may be useful to you if a check occurs before you receive the duplicate.

The duplicate application on the ANEF, step by step

For several years now, the duplicate application has been made exclusively online, via the Administration numérique des étrangers en France (ANEF), on the portal administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr. The duplicate is an identical reissue of your permit: same number, same type, same validity dates. Here is the process:

• Log in with your ANEF credentials or via FranceConnect.
• Choose the procedure "Signaler la loss, le theft ou la détérioration" then the duplicate application.
• Upload your documents in PDF or JPG format: complaint acknowledgement (theft) or declaration of loss, proof of address less than 3 months old, an approved digital ID photo, a copy of the old permit if you have one.
• Enter the tax stamp number (see below) and validate the filing.

A practical tip: buy your tax stamp before to finalise the application, on timbres.impots.gouv.fr or at an approved tobacconist (bureau de tabac), then enter its number in the form. This spares you a frequent blockage at the moment of integrated payment. If your file remains unanswered or gets stuck, our article ANEF: file blocked, what to do? details the possible remedies.

How much does a duplicate cost in 2026?

This is the question that worries people most, because the fees increased on 1 May 2026. From now on, the cost of a duplicate for loss or theft is aligned with that of a first issuance of a permit. In concrete terms, it reaches 350 € for most permits, stamp duty included, and 150 € for permits at a reduced rate (student, trainee, family reunification, in particular). Only deterioration not attributable to you, such as a manufacturing defect, remains free.

These amounts include the general increase in residence taxes. To understand the details of the fee schedule (tax portion, stamp duty portion, reduced rates by permit type), see our dedicated article: fees, taxes and stamps for the residence permit in 2026. We also revisit the context in the increase in residence permit taxes.

Which document protects you while you wait for the duplicate?

An essential point for your peace of mind: your right to stay is not suspended because the card has disappeared. Since the duplicate carries the same validity dates, you remain in a lawful situation until the expiry date written on your old permit. At the time of filing, the ANEF generates a filing confirmation : print it and keep it. Combined with your declaration of loss or your theft acknowledgement, it proves that the procedure is under way.

Please note, however: this confirmation is not a residence permit and does not serve as a travel document. If you must travel outside France before receiving the duplicate, we strongly recommend waiting for the new permit, as no re-entry is guaranteed without a valid document. Depending on your prefecture, an acknowledgement of receipt (récépissé) may be issued to you; its scope is explained in our article on the residence permit acknowledgement (récépissé) and your rights.

How long does it take to receive the duplicate?

The timeframe varies depending on the prefecture and the time of year. In practice, you often have to allow several weeks between the validation of the file and the production of the permit by the Imprimerie nationale, generally in the range of three to six weeks. You are then notified that your permit is ready to be collected. If an appointment at the prefecture is required for collection, our guide prefecture appointment for the residence permit will help you obtain it.

We cannot guarantee you a precise timeframe or the outcome of your application: each file depends on the administration. Our role is to help you submit a complete and error-free file, to limit back-and-forth and blockages.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to file a complaint if I simply lost my permit?

No. A complaint (plainte) concerns theft. For a loss, a sworn declaration, attached to your duplicate application on the ANEF, is enough. It is only in the event of theft that a visit to the police station or gendarmerie is expected.

Does the duplicate change the expiry date of my permit?

No. The duplicate is a certified copy: it keeps the same permit type, the same number and, above all, the same expiry date. If your permit is due to expire soon, it is a renewal you should consider, not a duplicate.

Is my duplicate free if my card was damaged?

Only if the deterioration is not attributable to you, for example a manufacturing defect. A card damaged through normal use or negligence is treated, in terms of cost, as a loss: the duplicate fee applies.

Can I work while my duplicate is being processed?

Your right to stay remains valid until your permit expires, so your professional situation is not called into question by the loss of the card. If an employer has doubts, the ANEF filing confirmation and your declaration of loss or theft make it possible to justify the ongoing procedure.