Residency Requirements & Legal Guide in Reunion
Legal requirements, residency pathways, and administrative processes for expats
Legal System
Réunion applies French civil law with full jurisdiction of mainland courts, including Cour de Cassation appeals. Highly predictable and independent judiciary treats foreigners equally; accessible via legal aid (aide juridictionnelle) but French fluency essential. Notaries mandatory for key transactions.
Consumer Protection
Strong EU/French protections enforced by DGCCRF; 14-day cooling-off for online/distance sales, 2-year warranties standard. Disputes via mediation (Médiateur de la Consommation) or courts; effective for expats with French support.
- ✓2-year legal warranty on goods
- ✓14-day withdrawal right for online buys
- ✓Price transparency enforced
- ✓Blacklisted unfair clauses
- ✓DGCCRF inspections common
- ✓Free mediation services
Bureaucracy & Administrative Efficiency
Digital via impots.gouv.fr, ameli.fr, service-public.fr; FranceConnect unifies logins. Island delays (2-4 weeks extra vs. mainland) for mail/physical appts; regional prefecture handles visas. French mandatory; English rare outside tourism.
Residency Pathways
- •EU free movement: EU/EEA/Swiss citizens register residence after 3 months; no permit needed.
- •Work visa: Non-EU: Job offer + prefecture approval via France-Visas; leads to 1-4 year carte de séjour.Labor market test · Salary threshold · Employer files first
- •Family reunification: For spouses/children of residents; proof of relationship + housing/funds.Stable residence · Min. income · Accommodation standards
- •Passeport Talent: For skilled workers/investors; 4-year renewable permit.€36k+ salary or €300k investment · Qualifications
- •Visitor visa (long-stay): Non-EU for passive income/retirees; up to 1 year, renewable.Min. €1,800/month passive income · Health insurance
- •Student visa: Enrollment proof + funds; post-study work extension possible.University acceptance · €615/month funds
Property Ownership
No restrictions; follows French rules via notary (notaire.fr process). EU/non-EU buy equally; land registry (conservation des hypothèques) secure. Process: offer, notary draft (2-week review), signing, 3.5-6.5% transfer tax paid.
Banking Access
Easy for residents; BNP Paribas, Société Générale dominant. Non-residents open with justification (work/study). Digital onboarding common; SEPA standard.
- Valid passport/ID
- Residence permit/visa
- Proof of address (utility/lease)
- Income proof (contract/slips)
- Tax ID if available
Insurance Requirements
Health coverage mandatory for residents via CPAM (reimburses 70%); private top-up common. Car insurance compulsory (responsabilité civile); home insurance required for mortgages/rentals.
- Home insurance for tenants
- Professional liability for self-employed
Citizenship Requirements
- Residency:
- 5 years (Continuous; 2 years if married to French citizen)
- Language:
- B1 French level (TCF/DELF test)
- Integration:
- Civic knowledge test + values charter
- Dual Citizenship:
- Allowed - No renunciation required except for some nationalities
- Additional Information:
- Naturalization via decree after residency; apply at tribunal. Dual citizenship allowed for most.
Areas Requiring Further Research
- •2026 updates to real estate transfer tax rates in Réunion
- •Specific banking policies for non-EU crypto holders
Sources & References (6)
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