Question 1

What is the “Talent” residence permit in France?

Accepted Answer

It is France’s flagship multi-year permit (formerly the Talent Passport) for skilled non-EU professionals. It covers more than ten categories — qualified employees, EU Blue Card holders, researchers, startup founders, executives, and more — and serves as both a residence and a work permit, valid for up to four years.

Question 2

How is the EU Blue Card different from the Talent – Qualified Employee permit?

Accepted Answer

Both are Talent-family permits exempt from the labour-market test. The EU Blue Card requires a higher salary (€59,373 in 2026), a degree or relevant experience, and offers EU-wide mobility. The Qualified Employee category has a lower threshold (€39,582 in 2026) and is suitable for skilled workers and graduates.

Question 3

What is the minimum salary for a French work visa in 2026?

Accepted Answer

For 2026, the Talent – Qualified Employee threshold is €39,582 per year, the EU Blue Card threshold is €59,373 per year, and the salarié permit requires at least the SMIC minimum wage of €1,910.13 per month.

Question 4

What is the salarié permit?

Accepted Answer

It is the standard work permit for employees who do not qualify for a Talent permit or an EU Blue Card. It requires a contract of at least 12 months and a salary that meets the SMIC, and, unlike the Talent routes, it is subject to a labour-market test, with the employer obtaining a work authorisation first.

Question 5

How long does a French work visa take?

Accepted Answer

The EU Blue Card has a 90-day processing target. The Talent permit typically takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on the consulate and prefecture, whereas the salarié permit takes longer due to the labour market test.

Question 6

What is OFII validation?

Accepted Answer

It is a mandatory step after arrival. You validate your long-stay visa online via the ANEF portal within three months of entering France, which includes a medical examination and a civic integration day. Missing it can invalidate your permit.

Question 7

Do the Talent and EU Blue Card routes require a labour market test?

Accepted Answer

No. Talent-family permits, including the EU Blue Card and Qualified Employee categories, are exempt from the labour-market test, which makes hiring much smoother. Only the salarié permit requires it.

Question 8

Which jobs are most in demand in France?

Accepted Answer

IT and software, aerospace (centred on Toulouse), engineering, research, healthcare, finance, and luxury and hospitality. France’s tech scene, La French Tech, and its aerospace and research sectors are especially active.

Question 9

Can my family come with me to France?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Talent permit holders receive a Talent – Family permit for their spouse and minor children. The spouse gets unrestricted access to the labour market — no separate work permit needed — plus access to healthcare and free schooling.

Question 10

Can I apply for permanent residence in France?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for a long-term resident card. EU Blue Card holders benefit from cumulated time across EU countries, and citizenship is possible after a longer period with language and integration requirements.

Question 11

Do I need to speak French to work in France?

Accepted Answer

Not for many international and tech roles, which often operate in English, though French helps greatly with daily life and integration. New French-language requirements for certain permits are being phased in, and French is generally required for long-term residence and citizenship.

Question 12

Can I get an EU Blue Card without a university degree?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As an alternative to a degree of at least three years, you can qualify with at least five years of relevant professional experience at a comparable level, which gives flexibility to experienced professionals.

Question 13

What documents do I need for a French work visa?

Accepted Answer

You need a valid passport, a signed contract meeting the salary threshold, degree certificates and proof of qualifications (apostilled where required), proof of experience for the Blue Card, proof of sickness insurance, the employer’s forms (and a work authorisation for the salarié permit), and proof of accommodation where required.

Question 14

Can I move to France on an EU Blue Card from another country?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Holders of a non-French EU Blue Card can work in France from day one, provided they apply for a French EU Blue Card within one month of arrival. After a second EU move, prior residence requirements are reduced.

Question 15

Can I change employers in France?

Accepted Answer

On a Talent permit, you can change employers provided the new role still meets the category’s requirements, and the employer must verify your permit before hiring. The salarié permit is more restrictive, and changes may require new authorisation.

Question 16

How much can I earn in France?

Accepted Answer

Salaries are solid and paid in euros, with tech, aerospace, and finance well paid, especially in Paris. Income tax and social contributions are significant, so take-home pay is lower than gross, but public services are world-class.

Question 17

What is La French Tech?

Accepted Answer

It is France’s national initiative supporting its startup and technology ecosystem, centred on Paris but active across the country. It reflects strong demand for software developers, data specialists, and engineers, many of whom qualify for Talent permits.

Question 18

Can I start a business in France?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Talent permit includes categories for startup founders, entrepreneurs, and investors, each with its own conditions on viability, investment, or economic contribution. France actively encourages innovative founders.

Question 19

Do my qualifications need to be recognised?

Accepted Answer

For regulated professions, yes — you must meet the requirements under the recognition rules. For the EU Blue Card and many roles, degree authentication (apostille) is needed, and non-EU degrees frequently require proper authentication.

Question 20

What happens if I lose my job in France?

Accepted Answer

The impact depends on your permit type and how long you have held it. You should contact the prefecture; Talent and EU Blue Card holders generally have options to find a new qualifying role within their permit’s framework.

Question 21

What changed in the French Talent system?

Accepted Answer

A 2025 reform revised the system and dropped the word “Passport” from the permit name, a January 2026 order set the reference salary at €39,582 (Blue Card €59,373), EU Blue Card processing was sped up, and new language requirements are being phased in.

Question 22

Why was my French work visa rejected?

Accepted Answer

Common reasons include a salary below the threshold, degree certificates not properly authenticated, OFII validation missed, the salarié work authorisation not obtained before the consulate appointment, unrecognised qualifications, or an incomplete dossier.

Question 23

Can moving2europe.eu help me move to France?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We identify the right Talent category or EU Blue Card, handle degree authentication and document processing, liaise with French employers, and manage the long-stay visa, OFII validation, Talent permit,t and family reunification from start to finish.