Embassy of the USA

Your Guide to (Legally) Staying in Europe for More Than 90 Days

"Thanks to a bilateral agreement dating back to 1949, U.S. citizens can sometimes stay an additional 90 days in France beyond the Schengen limit (though French border police have discretion and many officials recommend sticking to standard Schengen rules); I used this rule when I lived in Paris in 2019 and have readers who used it recently, but I’d bring documentation if I planned to rely on it. France also offers a long-stay visitor visa (visa D) allowing up to one year, which requires an appointment at a consulate and documents including a signed application, ID photos, an original passport, a notarized letter promising not to work, proof of income (bank statements or pension), medical insurance covering at least €30,000 and evacuation, proof of accommodation, and it costs €99 to apply." - Matthew Kepnes