Move to France
How to actually move to France — the long-stay visitor visa, the Talent Passport, the self-employed route, and the path to citizenship in this founding EU member.
Language
French
Currency
Euro (€)
EU member
Yes (Schengen)
Climate
Temperate / Mediterranean south
Why people move here
The case for France
- A founding EU and Schengen member at the heart of Western Europe.
- World-class public healthcare, transport and education.
- Hugely varied geography, from Atlantic coast to Alps to Mediterranean.
- A clear five-year path to citizenship for most legal residents.
France remains one of the world's most desirable places to live, and a founding member of both the EU and the Schengen Area. The bureaucracy is real, but the routes are well defined.
Is France right for you?
If you want first-rate healthcare, fast trains, and a choice of Atlantic coast, alpine valleys or Mediterranean sun, France delivers. The trade-offs are paperwork and language: French is genuinely important for daily life and now for citizenship.
Choosing your visa
Pick the route that matches how you earn money:
- Live off savings or a pension, with no work in France → Long-Stay Visitor Visa
- Skilled employee, founder or investor → Talent Passport
- Freelancer or independent professional → Self-Employed / Profession Libérale
The rough timeline
- 1
Choose your visa route
Confirm the current thresholds. - 2
Gather documents
Income proof, accommodation, and health insurance. - 3
Apply at the consulate
At the French consulate, through the France-Visas portal. - 4
Validate on arrival
Enter France and validate your long-stay visa (VLS-TS) online within the first months.
Frequently asked questions
Does France have a digital nomad visa?
No. France has no dedicated digital nomad visa. The long-stay visitor visa used to serve as a workaround, but since mid-2025 it no longer permits any work in France, including remote work for foreign employers or clients. Remote workers now generally need a work-eligible route such as the self-employed visa or the Talent Passport.
How much income do I need for the French long-stay visitor visa?
There is no published exact figure, but consulates benchmark your resources against the French minimum wage (the SMIC), which is around €1,480 net a month as of mid-2026. In practice you should show comfortably more than that, plus accommodation and health insurance. The visa does not allow you to work in France.
What is the Talent Passport?
The Talent residence card (carte de séjour talent, renamed in 2025 from the Passeport Talent) is a multi-year permit for skilled workers, company founders and investors. A qualified-employee role needs a gross salary of around €39,600 a year as of 2026, while the EU Blue Card route requires roughly €59,400. Investor and business-creator categories have their own investment thresholds.
How long until I can get French citizenship?
The standard route is 5 years of continuous residence, reduced to 2 years for graduates of French higher education. Since January 2026 you must demonstrate French at B2 level and pass a civics test, up from the previous B1 requirement.
Does France allow dual citizenship?
Yes. France has permitted dual and multiple nationality since 1973, so you do not have to renounce your existing passport when you naturalise, subject to your own country's rules.
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