France
French Republic · Capital: Paris
France's Passeport Talent consolidates more than a dozen routes for skilled workers, researchers, founders and investors into a single multi-year residence permit covering the whole family. Since 1 January 2026 other first multi-year permits require French at A2 level and a civic exam. A growing English-language startup scene (La French Tech) has made it a serious hub for founders.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into France.
Policy overview
8 visa routes into France
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
Passeport Talent
Multi-year residence permit for highly qualified employees earning above the salary threshold, covering family members.
Eligibility
- Master's-level degree or equivalent
- Gross annual salary of at least EUR 39,582 (threshold in force since 31 Aug 2025)
- Role matching qualifications
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Talent Passport, Tech / Startup
EntrepreneurFrench Tech Visa
Streamlined Talent route for founders, startup employees and investors recognised by the French Tech ecosystem.
Eligibility
- Recognised by a partner incubator (founder)
- Or hired by an eligible startup
- Or qualifying investment
Document checklist (12 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Salarié
Standard employer-sponsored work permit for roles that pass the labour-market test or sit on a shortage list.
Eligibility
- Job offer from a French employer
- Labour-market authorisation
- Relevant qualifications
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Talent Passport, Business Founder
EntrepreneurCréation d'Entreprise
For entrepreneurs creating a viable business in France with a real and serious investment.
Eligibility
- Viable economic project
- Investment of at least €30,000
- Degree or 5 years' experience
Document checklist (12 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa
StudentÉtudiant
Study at a French institution, with a post-study job-search and business-creation permit (APS).
Eligibility
- Enrolment at a recognised institution
- Proof of funds
- Accommodation evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa (VLS-TS)
StudentFR-STU
Study at an accredited institution, usually with limited work rights and a post-study route.
Eligibility
- Acceptance from an approved institution
- Proof of funds for tuition + living costs
- Health cover
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Family Reunification
FamilyFR-FAM
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
FR-TP
Multi-year residence for talent, founders and qualified remote profiles.
Eligibility
- Qualifying activity (founder/investor/employee)
- Income thresholds
- Project in France
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in France, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where France needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Technology
French Tech ecosystem needs developers and data specialists.
Healthcare
Hospitals and elder-care face nationwide staffing shortfalls.
Engineering & aerospace
Aerospace (Toulouse) and nuclear drive engineering demand.
Hospitality & trades
Hospitality and construction trades appear on shortage lists.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
- NeutralJul 15, 2026 · 3 months ago
ETIAS start date withdrawn, no new date set
Not yet in force. In mid-July 2026 the EU removed its 'last quarter of 2026' target for ETIAS, the online travel authorisation for visa-free visitors to Schengen countries. The official site says ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are collected. The fee will be EUR 20 once it launches; the EU says it will announce a start date several months ahead.
Launch targeted for the last quarter of 2026No launch date; not in operation
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Paris
Capital & cultureFrance's economic and cultural heart with the deepest job market and the highest costs.
- Cost index
- 85
- 1-bed rent
- $1,900
- Quality
- 80
Lyon
Gastronomy & businessFrance's second economy, refined, well-connected and far cheaper than Paris.
- Cost index
- 70
- 1-bed rent
- $1,300
- Quality
- 83
Bordeaux
Wine country & TGVBeautiful, sunny and two hours from Paris by train, a quality-of-life favourite.
- Cost index
- 68
- 1-bed rent
- $1,250
- Quality
- 84
Toulouse
Aerospace capitalEurope's aerospace centre (Airbus), warm, youthful and dynamic.
- Cost index
- 66
- 1-bed rent
- $1,150
- Quality
- 82
Nice
Riviera lifestyleMediterranean climate and glamour on the Côte d'Azur, popular with retirees.
- Cost index
- 76
- 1-bed rent
- $1,500
- Quality
- 83
Nantes
Liveable westRepeatedly ranked among France's most liveable cities, near the Atlantic coast.
- Cost index
- 64
- 1-bed rent
- $1,100
- Quality
- 83
Marseille
Mediterranean portA sunny, diverse and affordable port city on the rise, choose the district carefully.
- Cost index
- 64
- 1-bed rent
- $1,050
- Quality
- 76
Lille
Northern crossroadsA lively student city at the crossroads of Paris, London and Brussels.
- Cost index
- 66
- 1-bed rent
- $1,050
- Quality
- 79
Strasbourg
EU institutionsHome to EU institutions, with a high quality of life and a unique cross-border culture.
- Cost index
- 68
- 1-bed rent
- $1,100
- Quality
- 82
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in France.
Among the world's best universal systems; top-up 'mutuelle' insurance common.
Free public schools, the bilingual/international option, and low-cost universities.
Paris is expensive; regional cities (Lyon, Bordeaux) offer better value.
Excellent and cheap fibre nationwide.
Temperate north, Mediterranean south, alpine east.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendImmigration is a charged national debate with a strong far-right presence.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Pickpocketing common in Paris/Marseille; violent crime lower.
Higher = safer (crime index 52/100).
Where to live
Which France city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Bordeaux
Stone-city good life
Beautiful, sunny and two hours from Paris by train, a quality-of-life favourite.
Lyon
Elegant second city
France's second economy, refined, well-connected and far cheaper than Paris.
Toulouse
Warm 'pink city'
Europe's aerospace centre (Airbus), warm, youthful and dynamic.
Nice
Sun and sea
Mediterranean climate and glamour on the Côte d'Azur, popular with retirees.
Nantes
Green and youthful
Repeatedly ranked among France's most liveable cities, near the Atlantic coast.
Strasbourg
Franco-German charm
Home to EU institutions, with a high quality of life and a unique cross-border culture.
Lille
Student energy
A lively student city at the crossroads of Paris, London and Brussels.
Paris
The world's stage
France's economic and cultural heart with the deepest job market and the highest costs.
Marseille
Gritty and sunny
A sunny, diverse and affordable port city on the rise, choose the district carefully.
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