France Plans Significant Increase in Taxes and Stamp Duties for Residence Permits, Long-Stay Visas, and Naturalization Procedures
France is planning a significant increase in taxes and stamp duties for residence permits, long-stay visas, and naturalization procedures, a measure that will affect all foreign nationals, including Tunisians. This reform is included in the 2026 budget bill, currently being discussed in the French Parliament, and is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2026, if the text is adopted.
Key Changes
According to Article 30 of the bill, the cost of obtaining or renewing a residence permit will increase from €200 to €300, while the stamp duty on the residence card will double, from €25 to €50. Long-stay visas equivalent to residence permits will be aligned with this €300 tax, and a new tax of €100 will be created for the Provisional Residence Authorization (APS), issued while waiting for the final title.
For French naturalization, the total cost is expected to reach €555, compared to €255 currently, including a tax of €300 and a fiscal stamp of €255. These increases aim to "bring France closer to the European average" and are expected to generate an additional €160 million in revenue for the state.
Impact on Tunisians
Unlike Algerians, who benefit from certain specific provisions of the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement, Tunisians are subject to the common law of foreigners in France. Therefore, any increase in taxes and stamp duties affects them directly, whether for obtaining a residence permit, renewal, naturalization, or a long-stay visa.
This measure adds to the tougher civic tests for naturalization candidates and the procedures for multi-year titles, strengthening selection and access conditions. In practice, Tunisian candidates will have to budget almost double to finalize their administrative procedures in France from January 2026.
Government Statement
The French government indicates that these adjustments reflect the desire to modernize and standardize the fees for foreigners' stays, while supporting administrative services and managing migration flows.
