Since the United Kingdom officially left the European Union on January 31, 2020, British students are now considered non-EU nationals when applying to study in France.
While the process has changed, studying in France remains entirely possible. With a bit of planning and the right support, British students can still come to study in France with ease.
Short-stays (less than 90 days)
If you’re planning to attend a short-term program lasting less than 90 days, the process is relatively straightforward. British students can still travel to France without a visa for short stays. This exemption applies not only to France but to all countries within the Schengen Area.
However, it’s important to be mindful of the 90/180-day rule. You may stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This means that time spent in any Schengen country—including prior visits—counts toward your total allowance.
To avoid overstaying, carefully calculate your days of stay. Here are key points to consider:
- The 90-day limit applies cumulatively across all Schengen countries.
The date of entry counts as your first day in the Schengen Area. - The date of exit counts as your last day.
To help with this, the European Union created an online calculator to track your travel days: https://ec.europa.eu/assets/home/visa-calculator/calculator.htm?lang=en
Long-stays (more than 90 days)
If your program lasts more than 90 days, you will need a long-stay student visa. This visa allows you to live and study in France for 4 months to 1 year and can be extended if your program lasts more than a year.
The long-stay student visa offers several advantages:
- Freely travel to any country within the Schengen Area
- Eligible for part-time work (around 20 hours per week) to supplement your finances
- Free access to national health insurance
- Eligible for VISALE, the free security deposit service for students
- Potential to receive housing subsidies from the CAF
- Option to extend your stay beyond the validity of the initial residence permit
Don’t worry, you don’t have to navigate the hurdle of the paperwork alone. At Go! Go! France, we’ve simplified the process and are here to support you every step of the way—from selecting the right school and obtaining your acceptance letter, to preparing your supporting documents and submitting your visa application.
Travel and health insurance
When the United Kingdom was part of the European Union, British nationals could use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for access to healthcare in France. Since 2021, this is no longer valid, but British students can now apply for the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which offers similar healthcare coverage.
This is especially important for students attending short-term programs. For those on a long-stay visa, enrollment in France’s national health insurance system will provide comprehensive coverage after registration.
Apply now to study in France
Go! Go! France makes it easy to find a school and apply for your student visa so you can fulfill your dream of living and studying in France.
Contact us to begin your French adventure today.
