In many languages, the present tense works for something that started in the past and is still true: "j'habite ici depuis 2018". In English, the present is wrong here. You need the present perfect.
1. Started in the past, still true now → present perfect
- I have lived here since 2018. (not "I live here since 2018")
- She has worked at the bank for ten years.
- My phone hasn't worked since I dropped it.
since + a starting point, for + a length of time. See the notion "Since vs. For".
2. An activity still going on → have been + -ing
- I have been waiting for an hour. (not "I am waiting for an hour")
- It has been raining since this morning.
- She has been learning Spanish for six months.
3. State verbs: no -ing
With know, be, have (to own), like, want, use the present perfect without -ing.
- I have known her for years. (not "I have been knowing her")
- He has been ill since Monday. (not "He is ill since Monday")
- We have had this car for ten years.
4. How long...?
- How long have you lived here? (not "How long do you live here?")
- How long have you been married?
- How long have you been waiting?
5. Finished? → past simple
If it is not true anymore, use the past simple.
- I have lived in Rome for two years. (I still live there)
- I lived in Rome for two years. (I don't live there now)
6. Common mistakes
- ❌ I live here since 2018.
- ✅ I have lived here since 2018.
- ❌ I am waiting for you for an hour!
- ✅ I have been waiting for you for an hour!
- ❌ How long do you know Paul?
- ✅ How long have you known Paul?
