French cards

Applicable à
General

Index

1. Administrative responsibilities

2. First application

2.1 Registration of private address

2.2 Complete and send the application form

2.3 Substantiating documentation required

2.4 Processing of the application

3. Renewal

3.1 Substantiating documentation required

3.2 Processing of the application

4. Removals from France to Switzerland

4.1 Procedure to follow

4.2 Substantiating documentation required

4.3 Processing of the application

5. Removals from Switzerland to France

5.1 Procedure to follow

5.2 Substantiating documentation required

5.3 Processing of the application

6. Reasons for changing cards 

6.1 Promotion (for Staff Members only)

6.2 Change of type of contract, name or nationality

7. Surrendering cards 

7.1 Contract termination

7.2 Continuation of the stay in France

7.3 Special unpaid leave and authorised absence (unpaid)


The CERN administrative service responsible for issuing legitimation cards, i.e. the Cards service or the Users office, depends on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1 and the contacts’ section, in the right-hand column, depending on the service concerned).

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) issues a French card (titre de séjour spécial or attestation de fonctions) to members of the CERN personnel and their family members, subject to the following conditions of award. 

Members of the personnel who hold a French card enjoy immunity from jurisdiction in France in exercising their functions. 

In addition, an AT, FI or CD-type titre de séjour spécial entitles the holder to live in France and to travel within the Schengen Area without a visa up to 90 days in a 180-day period. 

1. Conditions of award

To obtain a French card, the general conditions relating to the contract of employment or of association are as follows:  

  • working time > 50%
  • contract duration > 3 months.

N.B. For all contracts strictly exceeding 3 months but strictly lower than 6 months in duration a card "without privileges" will be issued (additional information can be obtained on the Relations with the Host States Service website).

The category of document issued differs according to the nationality and country of residence of the individual, as shown in the following table:

1.1 Place of residence in France

1.1.1 Members of the personnel who are not French nationals and not long-term residents in France
Persons entitled Conditions Card
Member of the personnel

The French authorities decide whether to award a card according to the level of functions at CERN.

For staff members in grades 1 to 4: Special AT-type residence permit
For staff members in grades 5 to 8: Special FI-type residence permit 
For staff members in grades 9 to 10: Special CD-type residence permit

N.B. The initial request must be addressed to the MEAE as soon as the member of personnel arrives in France and takes up appointment at CERN.
Failing this, and notably after two months from that date, the MEAE cannot provide the documents for which the member of the personnel is eligible.

Special AT, FI or CD-type residence permit 
Spouse/Partner Conditions of award:
  • they must not be French nationals, and
  • they must live under the same roof as the member of the personnel.

N.B. Requests for French cards for spouses/partners must be made as soon as they have moved to France, within a maximum of two months.
If member(s) of the personnel are officially separated or they no longer live under the same roof, they must contact hr-cards.support@cern.ch or users.office@cern.ch depending on their status to verify the impact on their family French card(s).

Child/Children Conditions of award:
  • they must be dependent on the member of the personnel,
  • they must be under 20 years of age and,
  • they must attend school in the local region (France or Switzerland), not applicable to pre-school children.

N.B. Requests for French cards must be made at the latest within two months from the birth or the installation in France (passport mandatory). When children of members of the personnel reach 21 years of age, their French cards must be surrendered (see Section 7, "Surrendering cards"); in the case of non-European citizens (i.e. those from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland), if they wish to continue living in France, they must contact their local préfecture two months before the card's expiry date.

1.1.2 Members of the personnel who are French nationals or long-term residents in France

Since 15 August 2013, members of the personnel who are French citizens or who have been resident in France for over three months no longer receive AR or FR-type cards. 
However, they are brought to the MEAE’s attention by e-mail in order to guarantee their immunity from jurisdiction in France in exercising their functions.
CR-type cards (diplomatic status) continue to be issued by the French authorities.  

Cards are not issued to family members. If family members are required to hold a visa, they must apply for a residence permit at the préfecture of their place of residence.

1.2 Place of residence in Switzerland

Whatever their nationality or type of contract, all staff members domiciliated in Switzerland must apply for an EF-type attestation de fonctions. Any breach of this obligation is prejudicial to the Organization in relation to its host States.
No cards are issued for members of the family.

Procédure

1. Administrative responsibilities

The administrative service responsible for the handling depends on the category of the member of the personnel concerned:

a. Staff Members (STAF), Fellows (FELL), Graduates (GRAD), Students (DOCT, TECH, ADMI), Trainees (TRNE), Project Associates (PJAS), Experiment Associates (EXAS), Scientific Associates (SASS), Corresponding Associates (CASS) and Guest Professors (GPRO) must contact

  • the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001, ground floor) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday for the submission of documents, the withdrawal and the restitution of the cartes de légitimation.
  • the Cards service for all other matters related to French cards.

The CERN access cards service collects and verifies the legibility and compliance of the documents, ensures that the files are complete, and issue, if applicable, and in particular upon return of cards, a certified true copy of said cards.

Once the documents have been sent by the CERN access cards service to the Cards service, the latter processes the requests with the authorities of the host states, and remains the main point of contact for any advice or information on the various processes described below.

b. Users (USER), Cooperation Associates (COAS, except the COAS LIT) and Visiting Scientists (VISC) must always contact the Users Office that informs them also about the collecting of their French card.

In the following text these responsibilities are referred to, according to the category of the member of the personnel.

2. First application

Members of the personnel who meet the conditions of award listed above must apply for French cards for themselves and their family members as soon as they have an official address in France or Switzerland and have taken up residence there, within a maximum of two months after taking up appointment.

N.B. Issue of a special AT, FI or CD-type residence permit to family members is a prerequisite for driving a vehicle with green plates.
Requests for French cards for spouses/partners/children must be made as soon as they have moved to France, within a maximum of two months. Beyond this date, he/she will be considered as a resident and will no longer be entitled to a special AT, FI or CD-type residence permit.

The procedure for applying for a French card is as follows:

2.1 Registration of private address

If their address has changed since the start of their contract, members of the personnel must register their permanent address on the EDH form Changement d'adresse locale / Change of local address.

2.2 Complete and send the application form

The Cards Service has made available to members of the personnel the application "Application for the new French card" accessible via the Service Portal. The member of personnel accesses the application forms, uploads them, completes them, and attaches them, unsigned, to the request.
Depending on the case, the following forms must be completed:

  • French Card Application Form - Member (s) of Personnel (Attention: both pages have to be completed),
  • French Card Application Form - Family Member (s).

It is important to name the form (s) indicating the name and family relationship for the family members (eg NNPF-WagnerOtto, NNPF-WagnerOtto-Spouse, NNPF-WagnerOtto-Partner, NNPF-WagnerOtto-Child1, NNPF-WagnerOtto-Child2 ...).
Once the documents are attached and in order to process the request as soon as possible, the member of personnel will answer a few questions and then submit his application. Depending on the status of the member of personnel, the request is then sent either to the Cards service or to the Users Office.

2.3 Substantiating documentation required

In addition, for each card’s application, members of the personnel must hand deliver as soon as possible the following supporting documents exclusively in paper form to the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001, ground floor) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1):

  Member of the personnel Spouse/Partner Child/Children
3 identical (conformity of the photos requested by the Protocol), passport-format photos (ProntoPhot) yes yes yes
One "fiche individuelle" duly completed, in capitals, and signed in black ink yes yes yes
A photocopy of the passport or ID card (both sides) yes yes yes
A photocopy of the carte de légitimation suisse (applies only to members of the personnel living in Switzerland) yes no no
A photocopy of the visa, where applicable yes yes yes
A photocopy of the marriage certificate or partnership certificate (document drafted in or translated into French)* no yes no
A photocopy of the birth certificate (document drafted in or translated into French)* no no yes
A school-attendance certificate for children aged of more than 18 years old no no yes
A certificate attesting that your children aged of more than 18 remain dependent ("attestation de prise en charge") no no yes

* Documents issued by a Member State of the European Union can be accompanied by a "multilingual document" (UE regulation 2016/1191).

2.4 Processing of the application

The file is sent to the MEAE which issues the French card (approximate delay: 6-8 weeks). Members of the personnel are informed of the arrangements for collecting their Swiss cards upon receipt by the service concerned, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1).

3. Renewal

Members of the personnel are notified of the expiration of their cards by automatic reminders before the cards’ expiry date. The card of each family member must be renewed at the same time as that of the member of the personnel. If members of the personnel have been living outside the local area for more than 12 months, they must contact the Cards service or the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1).

AR and FR-type cards will not be renewed and must be returned to the French authorities. Failing this, a declaration of loss/theft must be submitted to the MEAE (see the procedure "Loss / theft of legitimation documents of the Host States").Applications for extensions must be made in the six weeks preceding the card's expiry date. If the member of the personnel has been living outside the local area for more than 12 months, he must contact the Cards Office or the Users Office depending on the member of the personnel category.

3.1 Substantiating documentation required

Members of the personnel must hand deliver the following supporting documents to CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1):

  • the card to be renewed (and those of the family members where applicable);

  • a photocopy of both sides of each card (for the delivery of the corresponding certified copy);

  • for non-european citizens, a photocopy of the carte de légitimation suisse (applies only to members of the personnel living in Switzerland and in possession of an EF-type attestation de fonctions);

  • a photocopy of the passport or ID card (both sides) still valid;

  • a Declaration on honour - French card renewal (applies only to members of the personnel residing in France for more than 10 years and in possession of a special AT, FI or CD-type residence permit);

  • a school-attendance certificate for children aged of more than 18 years old;

  • a certificate attesting that your children aged over 18 remain dependent ("attestation de prise en charge");

  • every 4 years: one recent passport photo (taken within the last 6 months).

Reminder: children in possession of a special card must surrender it when they reach 21 years of age at the latest. Non-European citizens (those from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland) wishing to obtain an ordinary residence permit in order to continue living in France must apply through their local préfecture at least two months before the expiry of their special residence permit, by attaching the certificate of surrender of this permit, issued by the MEAE on express request.

3.2. Processing of the application

The member of the personnel is given a certified copy. 
The file is sent to the MEAE and the renewal will be granted within approximately 6-8 weeks. 
Members of the personnel are informed of the arrangements for collecting their French card (see procedure paragraph 1).

4. Removals from France to Switzerland

4.1 Procedure to follow

The member of the personnel must register his new private address using the EDH form Changement d'adresse locale / Change of local address.

4.2 Substantiating documentation required

Members of the personnel who move from France to Switzerland need to change their French card, if they already hold one, or, if they did not have one when living in France, must make a first application. 

Members of the personnel must hand deliver the following supporting documents to the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1):

  • the member of the personnel's card (and that of any family members who hold one), 

  • a photocopy of the member of the personnel's card (both sides) and of those of the family members for the delivery of the corresponding certified copy(ies),

  • a photocopy of the passport or ID card (still valid, both sides) of the member of the personnel, only,

  • a photocopy of the carte de légitimation suisse (applies only to members of the personnel living in Switzerland and in possession of an EF-type attestation de fonctions).

For the formalities connected with the Swiss card, please see the paragraph 5. Removals from France to Switzerland in the corresponding procedure. For more details, please report to the article "Arrival/change of address in Switzerland and Swiss “Attestation de départ”".

N.B. The EDH document “Change of local address” will only be approved by the Cards Service/Users Office once all the above documentation has been received.

4.3 Processing of the application

The member of the personnel is given a certified copy.

The file is sent to the French authorities (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Paris) and the card will be issued to the member of the personnel within approximately 6-8 weeks. The cards held by the family members are cancelled.

Members of the personnel are informed of the arrangements for collecting their Swiss cards upon receipt by the service concerned, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1).

For information on the export/import formalities relating to personal effects and vehicles, please consult the web pages of the Installation Service.

5. Removals from Switzerland to France

5.1 Procedure to follow

5.2 Substantiating documentation required

Members of the personnel must hand deliver the following documents to the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1):

  • the special EF card;

  • a photocopy of the card;

  • a photocopy of the passport or ID card (both sides);

  • a photocopy of the visa where applicable.

N.B. The EDH document “Change of local address” will only be approved by the Cards Service / Users Office once all the above documentation has been received.

The procedure described in the section 2. "First application" must be followed for:
a) family members who satisfy the conditions for the award of a French card, and for
b) members of the personnel with diplomatic status (staff members in grades 9 and 10).

N.B. Associated members of the personnel employed by a Swiss organization who are not nationals of  EU/EEA/Switzerland cannot live in France, the special French residence permit doesn't authorizing the issuance of a permis frontalier.

For the formalities connected with the Swiss card, please see the paragraph 6. Removals from Switzerland to France in the corresponding procedure. For more details, please report to the article "Arrival/change of address in Switzerland and Swiss “Attestation de départ”".

5.3 Processing of the application

The member of the personnel is given a certified copy.

The file is sent to the MEAE which issues a special residence permit within approximately 6-8 weeks.

Members of the personnel are informed of the arrangements for collecting their Swiss cards upon receipt by the service concerned, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1).

For information on the export/import formalities relating to personal effects and vehicles, please consult the web pages of the Installation Service.

6. Reasons for changing cards 

6.1 Promotion (for Staff Members only)

Promotion to grades 5 and 9 give rise to a change in card for Staff Members who reside in France. Members of the personnel in question are notified of the details by e-mail.

6.2 Change of type of contract, name or nationality

The Cards Service or the Users Office, depending on the member of the personnel category, are responsible for changing the card.

7. Surrendering cards 

7.1 Contract termination

Upon contract expiry, the cards of the member of the personnel and family members must be surrendered to the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1). If necessary, the member of the personnel can be given a certified copy but this does not apply to border crossings within the Schengen area.

Surrendering these cards is a pre-condition for the issue of other documents by the French authorities in the future ("titres de séjour préfectoraux" and regularisation of green vehicle registration plates).

7.2 Continuation of the stay in France

Two months before the end of their contract, non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who wish to keep their principal residence in France must enquire at the préfecture of their place of residence for the procedure to be followed in order to obtain a "titre de séjour préfectoral". In which case, a certificate stating that the special residence permit has been surrendered must be obtained from the MEAE through the Cards Service or the Users Office when returning special cards. 

These formalities can be carried out at the earliest two months before the end of the contract, however, persons subject to a short-stay visa in the European area who have surrendered their titre de séjour spécial will then have to ensure that they have a valid visa when travelling outside French territory.

7.3 Special unpaid leave and authorised absence (unpaid)

Members of the personnel who have been granted special leave or an authorised absence (unpaid) must surrender their card and those of family members before their leave period commences if it lasts more than 2 months and if they leave the local area.

Persons wishing to keep their principal residence in France during their special leave must enquire at the local préfecture for the procedure to be followed.

Révisions
No revision Modifications Approved
1 Theft/loss of French cards may be declared in any police station (not only in Thoiry) 03.11.2010
2 Since 15.08.2013, members of the personnel who are French nationals or "permanent residents" in France no longer receive type AR and FR cards. 15.05.2013
3 Members of the personnel must apply for a French card within three months after taking up their appointment at the latest.  GTPA, 24.04.2014
4 - suppression of the definition of a permanent resident.
- the initial request must be addressed to the MAE as soon as the member of personnel takes up appointment at CERN.
- requests for French cards for spouses/partners must be made as soon as they have moved to France, within a maximum of three months.
Relations with Host States Service, 12.03.2015
5 Conditions of award of a titre de séjour spécial for spouse/partner. Note Verbale, 12.05.2015
6 3 photos are sufficient to apply for a Frend card. 01.01.2016
7 New career structure on 01.09.2016. Council, 15.12.2015
8 Declaration - French card renewal 15.02.2017
9 New form for the loss declaration of the French card as communicated by the MEAE. 06.07.2018
10 Clarification of the documents to be given as part of the procedure of renewal of the French card for non-European nationals. 08.10.2018
11 The required documentation for the first applications and the requests of extension for the children of the members of personnel have been updated. 15.10.2018
12 The French card must be returned during a special leave or an authorised absence (unpaid) if it lasts more than 2 months. 08.03.2019
13 The maximum deadline for the initial application for the French card has been changed to two months. 12.04.2019
14 New request for new French card: "Application for the new French map" accessible via the service portal.  
15 Regardless of their nationality or type of contract, all staff members domiciled in Switzerland must apply for a certificate of type EF. 26.09.2019
16 Update : Attestation de prise en charge: a school-attendance certificate for children aged of more than 18 years old. 27.09.2019
17
Uniformity of the procedure in case of theft or loss with the Swiss card procedure
12.11.2019
18 Modification of the Renewal (3.1) point in light of the COVID-19 18.03.2020
19 Documents issued by a Member State of the European Union can be accompanied by a "multilingual document" (UE regulation 2016/1191 17.04.2020
20 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no visa is currently issued by the French authorities. 18.05.2020
21 - 6-month extension of special residence permits expiring between 16 March and 15 June.
- Renewal applications must be submitted 2 months before the extended expiry date.
- If the member of personnel is the beneficiary of an expired French card, he must download the documents "General information on the extension of residency documents" and present them with his expired French card.
- Visa applications are once again accepted by the French authorities.
- Update of the Note verbale from the MEAE and a new annex.
- The issue of EF attestations and French cards for European nationals under 13 years of age is suspended.
22.06.2020
22 Revision of the paragraph 8.1 Contract termination. 08.02.2021
23 Revised by the services in charge. 19.05.2021
24 If member(s) of the personnel are officially separated or they no longer live under the same roof, they must contact hr-cards.support@cern.ch or users.office@cern.ch depending on their status to verify the impact on their family French card(s).
 
04.06.2021
25 Addition of:
- the article "British nationals: Remaining in France at the end of a CERN contract"
- the Note verbale du MEAE - withdrawal agreement
07.06.2021
26 The Users Office will be open to the public from 19th, July 2021.   13.07.2021
27 The Lost and theft section has been transferred to a new procedure. Creation of an index. 02.08.2021
28 Update of the procedure after integration of the CERN Access Cards service in the process. 17.03.2022
29 Update of paragraph 3.1: every 4 years: one recent passport photo (taken within the last 6 months). 08.02.2024
30 Following the article "Arrival/change of address in Switzerland and Swiss “Attestation de départ”, update of paragraphes 4 and 5. 27.03.2024

General

Index

1. Administrative responsibilities

2. First application

2.1 Registration of private address

2.2 Complete and send the application form

2.3 Substantiating documentation required

2.4 Processing of the application

3. Renewal

3.1 Substantiating documentation required

3.2 Processing of the application

4. Removals from France to Switzerland

4.1 Procedure to follow

4.2 Substantiating documentation required

4.3 Processing of the application

5. Removals from Switzerland to France

5.1 Procedure to follow

5.2 Substantiating documentation required

5.3 Processing of the application

6. Reasons for changing cards 

6.1 Promotion (for Staff Members only)

6.2 Change of type of contract, name or nationality

7. Surrendering cards 

7.1 Contract termination

7.2 Continuation of the stay in France

7.3 Special unpaid leave and authorised absence (unpaid)


The CERN administrative service responsible for issuing legitimation cards, i.e. the Cards service or the Users office, depends on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1 and the contacts’ section, in the right-hand column, depending on the service concerned).

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) issues a French card (titre de séjour spécial or attestation de fonctions) to members of the CERN personnel and their family members, subject to the following conditions of award. 

Members of the personnel who hold a French card enjoy immunity from jurisdiction in France in exercising their functions. 

In addition, an AT, FI or CD-type titre de séjour spécial entitles the holder to live in France and to travel within the Schengen Area without a visa up to 90 days in a 180-day period. 

1. Conditions of award

To obtain a French card, the general conditions relating to the contract of employment or of association are as follows:  

  • working time > 50%
  • contract duration > 3 months.

N.B. For all contracts strictly exceeding 3 months but strictly lower than 6 months in duration a card "without privileges" will be issued (additional information can be obtained on the Relations with the Host States Service website).

The category of document issued differs according to the nationality and country of residence of the individual, as shown in the following table:

1.1 Place of residence in France

1.1.1 Members of the personnel who are not French nationals and not long-term residents in France
Persons entitled Conditions Card
Member of the personnel

The French authorities decide whether to award a card according to the level of functions at CERN.

For staff members in grades 1 to 4: Special AT-type residence permit
For staff members in grades 5 to 8: Special FI-type residence permit 
For staff members in grades 9 to 10: Special CD-type residence permit

N.B. The initial request must be addressed to the MEAE as soon as the member of personnel arrives in France and takes up appointment at CERN.
Failing this, and notably after two months from that date, the MEAE cannot provide the documents for which the member of the personnel is eligible.

Special AT, FI or CD-type residence permit 
Spouse/Partner Conditions of award:
  • they must not be French nationals, and
  • they must live under the same roof as the member of the personnel.

N.B. Requests for French cards for spouses/partners must be made as soon as they have moved to France, within a maximum of two months.
If member(s) of the personnel are officially separated or they no longer live under the same roof, they must contact hr-cards.support@cern.ch or users.office@cern.ch depending on their status to verify the impact on their family French card(s).

Child/Children Conditions of award:
  • they must be dependent on the member of the personnel,
  • they must be under 20 years of age and,
  • they must attend school in the local region (France or Switzerland), not applicable to pre-school children.

N.B. Requests for French cards must be made at the latest within two months from the birth or the installation in France (passport mandatory). When children of members of the personnel reach 21 years of age, their French cards must be surrendered (see Section 7, "Surrendering cards"); in the case of non-European citizens (i.e. those from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland), if they wish to continue living in France, they must contact their local préfecture two months before the card's expiry date.

1.1.2 Members of the personnel who are French nationals or long-term residents in France

Since 15 August 2013, members of the personnel who are French citizens or who have been resident in France for over three months no longer receive AR or FR-type cards. 
However, they are brought to the MEAE’s attention by e-mail in order to guarantee their immunity from jurisdiction in France in exercising their functions.
CR-type cards (diplomatic status) continue to be issued by the French authorities.  

Cards are not issued to family members. If family members are required to hold a visa, they must apply for a residence permit at the préfecture of their place of residence.

1.2 Place of residence in Switzerland

Whatever their nationality or type of contract, all staff members domiciliated in Switzerland must apply for an EF-type attestation de fonctions. Any breach of this obligation is prejudicial to the Organization in relation to its host States.
No cards are issued for members of the family.

Procedure

1. Administrative responsibilities

The administrative service responsible for the handling depends on the category of the member of the personnel concerned:

a. Staff Members (STAF), Fellows (FELL), Graduates (GRAD), Students (DOCT, TECH, ADMI), Trainees (TRNE), Project Associates (PJAS), Experiment Associates (EXAS), Scientific Associates (SASS), Corresponding Associates (CASS) and Guest Professors (GPRO) must contact

  • the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001, ground floor) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday for the submission of documents, the withdrawal and the restitution of the cartes de légitimation.
  • the Cards service for all other matters related to French cards.

The CERN access cards service collects and verifies the legibility and compliance of the documents, ensures that the files are complete, and issue, if applicable, and in particular upon return of cards, a certified true copy of said cards.

Once the documents have been sent by the CERN access cards service to the Cards service, the latter processes the requests with the authorities of the host states, and remains the main point of contact for any advice or information on the various processes described below.

b. Users (USER), Cooperation Associates (COAS, except the COAS LIT) and Visiting Scientists (VISC) must always contact the Users Office that informs them also about the collecting of their French card.

In the following text these responsibilities are referred to, according to the category of the member of the personnel.

2. First application

Members of the personnel who meet the conditions of award listed above must apply for French cards for themselves and their family members as soon as they have an official address in France or Switzerland and have taken up residence there, within a maximum of two months after taking up appointment.

N.B. Issue of a special AT, FI or CD-type residence permit to family members is a prerequisite for driving a vehicle with green plates.
Requests for French cards for spouses/partners/children must be made as soon as they have moved to France, within a maximum of two months. Beyond this date, he/she will be considered as a resident and will no longer be entitled to a special AT, FI or CD-type residence permit.

The procedure for applying for a French card is as follows:

2.1 Registration of private address

If their address has changed since the start of their contract, members of the personnel must register their permanent address on the EDH form Changement d'adresse locale / Change of local address.

2.2 Complete and send the application form

The Cards Service has made available to members of the personnel the application "Application for the new French card" accessible via the Service Portal. The member of personnel accesses the application forms, uploads them, completes them, and attaches them, unsigned, to the request.
Depending on the case, the following forms must be completed:

  • French Card Application Form - Member (s) of Personnel (Attention: both pages have to be completed),
  • French Card Application Form - Family Member (s).

It is important to name the form (s) indicating the name and family relationship for the family members (eg NNPF-WagnerOtto, NNPF-WagnerOtto-Spouse, NNPF-WagnerOtto-Partner, NNPF-WagnerOtto-Child1, NNPF-WagnerOtto-Child2 ...).
Once the documents are attached and in order to process the request as soon as possible, the member of personnel will answer a few questions and then submit his application. Depending on the status of the member of personnel, the request is then sent either to the Cards service or to the Users Office.

2.3 Substantiating documentation required

In addition, for each card’s application, members of the personnel must hand deliver as soon as possible the following supporting documents exclusively in paper form to the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001, ground floor) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1):

  Member of the personnel Spouse/Partner Child/Children
3 identical (conformity of the photos requested by the Protocol), passport-format photos (ProntoPhot) yes yes yes
One "fiche individuelle" duly completed, in capitals, and signed in black ink yes yes yes
A photocopy of the passport or ID card (both sides) yes yes yes
A photocopy of the carte de légitimation suisse (applies only to members of the personnel living in Switzerland) yes no no
A photocopy of the visa, where applicable yes yes yes
A photocopy of the marriage certificate or partnership certificate (document drafted in or translated into French)* no yes no
A photocopy of the birth certificate (document drafted in or translated into French)* no no yes
A school-attendance certificate for children aged of more than 18 years old no no yes
A certificate attesting that your children aged of more than 18 remain dependent ("attestation de prise en charge") no no yes

* Documents issued by a Member State of the European Union can be accompanied by a "multilingual document" (UE regulation 2016/1191).

2.4 Processing of the application

The file is sent to the MEAE which issues the French card (approximate delay: 6-8 weeks). Members of the personnel are informed of the arrangements for collecting their Swiss cards upon receipt by the service concerned, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1).

3. Renewal

Members of the personnel are notified of the expiration of their cards by automatic reminders before the cards’ expiry date. The card of each family member must be renewed at the same time as that of the member of the personnel. If members of the personnel have been living outside the local area for more than 12 months, they must contact the Cards service or the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1).

AR and FR-type cards will not be renewed and must be returned to the French authorities. Failing this, a declaration of loss/theft must be submitted to the MEAE (see the procedure "Loss / theft of legitimation documents of the Host States").Applications for extensions must be made in the six weeks preceding the card's expiry date. If the member of the personnel has been living outside the local area for more than 12 months, he must contact the Cards Office or the Users Office depending on the member of the personnel category.

3.1 Substantiating documentation required

Members of the personnel must hand deliver the following supporting documents to CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1):

  • the card to be renewed (and those of the family members where applicable);

  • a photocopy of both sides of each card (for the delivery of the corresponding certified copy);

  • for non-european citizens, a photocopy of the carte de légitimation suisse (applies only to members of the personnel living in Switzerland and in possession of an EF-type attestation de fonctions);

  • a photocopy of the passport or ID card (both sides) still valid;

  • a Declaration on honour - French card renewal (applies only to members of the personnel residing in France for more than 10 years and in possession of a special AT, FI or CD-type residence permit);

  • a school-attendance certificate for children aged of more than 18 years old;

  • a certificate attesting that your children aged over 18 remain dependent ("attestation de prise en charge");

  • every 4 years: one recent passport photo (taken within the last 6 months).

Reminder: children in possession of a special card must surrender it when they reach 21 years of age at the latest. Non-European citizens (those from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland) wishing to obtain an ordinary residence permit in order to continue living in France must apply through their local préfecture at least two months before the expiry of their special residence permit, by attaching the certificate of surrender of this permit, issued by the MEAE on express request.

3.2. Processing of the application

The member of the personnel is given a certified copy. 
The file is sent to the MEAE and the renewal will be granted within approximately 6-8 weeks. 
Members of the personnel are informed of the arrangements for collecting their French card (see procedure paragraph 1).

4. Removals from France to Switzerland

4.1 Procedure to follow

The member of the personnel must register his new private address using the EDH form Changement d'adresse locale / Change of local address.

4.2 Substantiating documentation required

Members of the personnel who move from France to Switzerland need to change their French card, if they already hold one, or, if they did not have one when living in France, must make a first application. 

Members of the personnel must hand deliver the following supporting documents to the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1):

  • the member of the personnel's card (and that of any family members who hold one), 

  • a photocopy of the member of the personnel's card (both sides) and of those of the family members for the delivery of the corresponding certified copy(ies),

  • a photocopy of the passport or ID card (still valid, both sides) of the member of the personnel, only,

  • a photocopy of the carte de légitimation suisse (applies only to members of the personnel living in Switzerland and in possession of an EF-type attestation de fonctions).

For the formalities connected with the Swiss card, please see the paragraph 5. Removals from France to Switzerland in the corresponding procedure. For more details, please report to the article "Arrival/change of address in Switzerland and Swiss “Attestation de départ”".

N.B. The EDH document “Change of local address” will only be approved by the Cards Service/Users Office once all the above documentation has been received.

4.3 Processing of the application

The member of the personnel is given a certified copy.

The file is sent to the French authorities (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Paris) and the card will be issued to the member of the personnel within approximately 6-8 weeks. The cards held by the family members are cancelled.

Members of the personnel are informed of the arrangements for collecting their Swiss cards upon receipt by the service concerned, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1).

For information on the export/import formalities relating to personal effects and vehicles, please consult the web pages of the Installation Service.

5. Removals from Switzerland to France

5.1 Procedure to follow

5.2 Substantiating documentation required

Members of the personnel must hand deliver the following documents to the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1):

  • the special EF card;

  • a photocopy of the card;

  • a photocopy of the passport or ID card (both sides);

  • a photocopy of the visa where applicable.

N.B. The EDH document “Change of local address” will only be approved by the Cards Service / Users Office once all the above documentation has been received.

The procedure described in the section 2. "First application" must be followed for:
a) family members who satisfy the conditions for the award of a French card, and for
b) members of the personnel with diplomatic status (staff members in grades 9 and 10).

N.B. Associated members of the personnel employed by a Swiss organization who are not nationals of  EU/EEA/Switzerland cannot live in France, the special French residence permit doesn't authorizing the issuance of a permis frontalier.

For the formalities connected with the Swiss card, please see the paragraph 6. Removals from Switzerland to France in the corresponding procedure. For more details, please report to the article "Arrival/change of address in Switzerland and Swiss “Attestation de départ”".

5.3 Processing of the application

The member of the personnel is given a certified copy.

The file is sent to the MEAE which issues a special residence permit within approximately 6-8 weeks.

Members of the personnel are informed of the arrangements for collecting their Swiss cards upon receipt by the service concerned, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1).

For information on the export/import formalities relating to personal effects and vehicles, please consult the web pages of the Installation Service.

6. Reasons for changing cards 

6.1 Promotion (for Staff Members only)

Promotion to grades 5 and 9 give rise to a change in card for Staff Members who reside in France. Members of the personnel in question are notified of the details by e-mail.

6.2 Change of type of contract, name or nationality

The Cards Service or the Users Office, depending on the member of the personnel category, are responsible for changing the card.

7. Surrendering cards 

7.1 Contract termination

Upon contract expiry, the cards of the member of the personnel and family members must be surrendered to the CERN access cards service (building 55/R-001) from 1:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or to the Users Office, depending on the category of the member of the personnel (see procedure paragraph 1). If necessary, the member of the personnel can be given a certified copy but this does not apply to border crossings within the Schengen area.

Surrendering these cards is a pre-condition for the issue of other documents by the French authorities in the future ("titres de séjour préfectoraux" and regularisation of green vehicle registration plates).

7.2 Continuation of the stay in France

Two months before the end of their contract, non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who wish to keep their principal residence in France must enquire at the préfecture of their place of residence for the procedure to be followed in order to obtain a "titre de séjour préfectoral". In which case, a certificate stating that the special residence permit has been surrendered must be obtained from the MEAE through the Cards Service or the Users Office when returning special cards. 

These formalities can be carried out at the earliest two months before the end of the contract, however, persons subject to a short-stay visa in the European area who have surrendered their titre de séjour spécial will then have to ensure that they have a valid visa when travelling outside French territory.

7.3 Special unpaid leave and authorised absence (unpaid)

Members of the personnel who have been granted special leave or an authorised absence (unpaid) must surrender their card and those of family members before their leave period commences if it lasts more than 2 months and if they leave the local area.

Persons wishing to keep their principal residence in France during their special leave must enquire at the local préfecture for the procedure to be followed.

Revisions

No revision Modifications Approved
1 Theft/loss of French cards may be declared in any police station (not only in Thoiry) 03.11.2010
2 Since 15.08.2013, members of the personnel who are French nationals or "permanent residents" in France no longer receive type AR and FR cards. 15.05.2013
3 Members of the personnel must apply for a French card within three months after taking up their appointment at the latest.  GTPA, 24.04.2014
4 - suppression of the definition of a permanent resident.
- the initial request must be addressed to the MAE as soon as the member of personnel takes up appointment at CERN.
- requests for French cards for spouses/partners must be made as soon as they have moved to France, within a maximum of three months.
Relations with Host States Service, 12.03.2015
5 Conditions of award of a titre de séjour spécial for spouse/partner. Note Verbale, 12.05.2015
6 3 photos are sufficient to apply for a Frend card. 01.01.2016
7 New career structure on 01.09.2016. Council, 15.12.2015
8 Declaration - French card renewal 15.02.2017
9 New form for the loss declaration of the French card as communicated by the MEAE. 06.07.2018
10 Clarification of the documents to be given as part of the procedure of renewal of the French card for non-European nationals. 08.10.2018
11 The required documentation for the first applications and the requests of extension for the children of the members of personnel have been updated. 15.10.2018
12 The French card must be returned during a special leave or an authorised absence (unpaid) if it lasts more than 2 months. 08.03.2019
13 The maximum deadline for the initial application for the French card has been changed to two months. 12.04.2019
14 New request for new French card: "Application for the new French map" accessible via the service portal.  
15 Regardless of their nationality or type of contract, all staff members domiciled in Switzerland must apply for a certificate of type EF. 26.09.2019
16 Update : Attestation de prise en charge: a school-attendance certificate for children aged of more than 18 years old. 27.09.2019
17
Uniformity of the procedure in case of theft or loss with the Swiss card procedure
12.11.2019
18 Modification of the Renewal (3.1) point in light of the COVID-19 18.03.2020
19 Documents issued by a Member State of the European Union can be accompanied by a "multilingual document" (UE regulation 2016/1191 17.04.2020
20 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no visa is currently issued by the French authorities. 18.05.2020
21 - 6-month extension of special residence permits expiring between 16 March and 15 June.
- Renewal applications must be submitted 2 months before the extended expiry date.
- If the member of personnel is the beneficiary of an expired French card, he must download the documents "General information on the extension of residency documents" and present them with his expired French card.
- Visa applications are once again accepted by the French authorities.
- Update of the Note verbale from the MEAE and a new annex.
- The issue of EF attestations and French cards for European nationals under 13 years of age is suspended.
22.06.2020
22 Revision of the paragraph 8.1 Contract termination. 08.02.2021
23 Revised by the services in charge. 19.05.2021
24 If member(s) of the personnel are officially separated or they no longer live under the same roof, they must contact hr-cards.support@cern.ch or users.office@cern.ch depending on their status to verify the impact on their family French card(s).
 
04.06.2021
25 Addition of:
- the article "British nationals: Remaining in France at the end of a CERN contract"
- the Note verbale du MEAE - withdrawal agreement
07.06.2021
26 The Users Office will be open to the public from 19th, July 2021.   13.07.2021
27 The Lost and theft section has been transferred to a new procedure. Creation of an index. 02.08.2021
28 Update of the procedure after integration of the CERN Access Cards service in the process. 17.03.2022
29 Update of paragraph 3.1: every 4 years: one recent passport photo (taken within the last 6 months). 08.02.2024
30 Following the article "Arrival/change of address in Switzerland and Swiss “Attestation de départ”, update of paragraphes 4 and 5. 27.03.2024