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Protection

Asylum and refugee status in France 2026

It's important to distinguish asylum (refugee status or subsidiary protection, decided by OFPRA) from temporary protection — a separate, faster regime for Ukrainians, extended to 4 March 2027. Below: the bodies, the steps and honest timelines, with no legal promises.

29 June 2026 · 3 min read

Asylum and temporary protection are different things, and confusing them is costly. This page explains the difference, the bodies, the steps and the timelines honestly, with no legal promises. For your individual situation, turn to a lawyer or specialised associations.

Asylum or temporary protection

  • Temporary protection (protection temporaire) is the EU’s exceptional mechanism for Ukrainians who arrived after 24 February 2022. It’s the faster route: a 6-month residence document (renewable) with the right to work. Protection is extended to 4 March 2027. For most Ukrainians this is a simpler, more appropriate option than classic asylum.
  • Asylum (asile) is refugee status or subsidiary protection; OFPRA decides. It’s a longer procedure for those fleeing persecution.

The bodies

  • SPADA — the first-reception structure: issues the form and a GUDA appointment.
  • GUDA — the one-stop window at the préfecture (préfecture + OFII), registers the application.
  • OFPRA — the body that decides on asylum.
  • CNDA — the national asylum court, the appeal instance.
  • OFII — reception conditions, payment of the ADA allowance.

Steps to apply

  1. SPADA — get the registration form and a GUDA appointment.
  2. GUDA — the application is registered; an attestation de demande d’asile is issued, giving the right to stay during examination.
  3. OFPRA — send the completed application within 21 days of the attestation’s date; usually a personal interview.
  4. OFPRA decision and notification.
  5. Appeal to the CNDA within 1 month of notification (for those residing in mainland France).

The two forms of protection

  • Refugee status (persecution on grounds of race, religion, nationality, social-group membership or political opinion) → a 10-year resident card.
  • Subsidiary protection (no refugee criteria, but a threat of the death penalty, torture, or a serious individual threat in a conflict) → a 4-year multi-year card.

Right to work and the allowance

The right to work is not immediate. For the first 6 months after the application is registered with OFPRA, no authorisation is issued. After 6 months, if there’s still no decision, you can request one; the administration has 2 months to answer, and silence means granted.

Adult applicants may receive the ADA allowance (allocation pour demandeur d’asile) during examination, provided they accept the reception conditions. Check the specific amount with OFII — we don’t invent it.

An honest disclaimer

This is general information, not legal advice. Asylum is a serious procedure with real consequences; for your specific situation, turn to a lawyer or specialised associations (France terre d’asile, La Cimade, etc.). All timelines are as of 2026 — check current ones on ofpra.gouv.fr and service-public.gouv.fr.

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See also:

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between asylum and temporary protection?
Asylum is refugee status (under the Geneva Convention) or subsidiary protection; OFPRA decides, and the procedure is longer. Temporary protection is the EU’s exceptional regime for Ukrainians who arrived after 24 February 2022: faster, with the right to work, extended to 4 March 2027. For most Ukrainians it’s a separate, simpler route.
Which bodies handle asylum?
SPADA — first reception; GUDA (at the préfecture, with OFII) registers the application; OFPRA decides; CNDA is the appeal court. OFII handles reception conditions and pays the ADA. These are different institutions with different roles.
Can you work during the asylum procedure?
Not immediately. For the first 6 months after the application is registered with OFPRA, no work authorisation is issued. After 6 months, if OFPRA hasn’t decided, you can request one; the administration has 2 months to answer (silence = granted). Check current rules on service-public.gouv.fr.
What does refugee status give you?
Refugee status grants a 10-year resident card (renewable). Subsidiary protection (where refugee criteria aren’t met but there’s a serious threat) grants a 4-year multi-year card. OFPRA first examines refugee status, then subsidiary protection.
What are the steps to apply for asylum?
SPADA (get the form and a GUDA appointment) → GUDA (registration, an attestation with the right to stay) → submit the full application to OFPRA within 21 days → OFPRA decision → if refused, appeal to the CNDA within 1 month. This is the general scheme; details depend on the case.

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