Digital nomads are professionals who are not location-dependent, and their line of work allows them to engage in remote work. For those looking to relocate to Europe, Paris can be a suitable option, and in this case, they will need to make the needed arrangements to remain in the country. While a digital nomad visa for France does not exist in this express form, foreign nationals can apply for a visa that allows them to remain in the country for long-term purposes.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Special regime for a digital nomad visa in France (Yes/No) |
No |
|
Visa entry requirements for France |
Depending on nationality |
|
Maximum period in the country without a visa |
90 days in an 180-day period, in case of foreign nationals without a visa requirement for France |
| Short-term visa duration | 90 days for short business trips, tourism or family visits |
| Long-term visa duration |
1 year or more Issued for: – employment and self-employment in France, – starting/managing a business, – study, – joining family members, – extended tourism or personal reasons in some cases |
| Visa for frequent travellers |
A circulation visa can be awarded for those who make several short-term trips to France each year (90 days in any 180-day period). Conditions apply. |
| Documents required for the self-employed applying for a digital nomad visa in France |
– travel document, – recent ID pictures, – supporting documents depending on the applicant’s situation |
| Self-employed person visa validity | 1 year |
| Minimum income for self-employed persons |
The equivalent of the minimum legal wage in France for a full-time worker (monthly wage of €1,6045.58 for 35 hours per week in 2022) |
| Investor or business visa available (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Permanent residence in France (Yes/No) |
Yes |
| Permanent residence conditions |
– valid residence permit, – proof of address and income, – other situation-specific conditions (such as marriage to a French national) can apply |
| Dependents can join the visa holder in France |
Separate applications for family reunion are submitted for family members |
| Taxation requirements for the holder of a digital nomad visa in France |
Non-residents are subject to tax only when they have their tax domicile in France. The personal income tax has progressive rates between 0% and 45%. |
| Why work as a digital nomad in France |
– good infrastructure, – fast internet, – coworking spaces, – a rich culture, – the possibility to work both from a large city and idyllic small villages |
The freelance visa for France, the Passeport Talent residence permit, is a suitable option for those looking to relocate to the country. The multi-year visa was created for self-employed persons looking to relocate to France and it was designed to help maximize France’s economic attractiveness for freelance professionals. You can read more about the France freelance visa, or the international talents visa, below. Some of the foreign visitors are also interested in the self-employed visa in France.
Foreign nationals who first explore the digital nomad option and wish to remain in France indefinitely can later discuss their options with our team of French immigration lawyers. If you need expat services in other countries, such as Netherlands or Malta, we can put you in touch with our local partners who offer business consulting and immigration services.
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Can you apply for a French digital nomad visa?
There is no special regime for digital nomads interested in a self-employed visa in France. However, the options for remote work have become more notable in the past two years and some professionals have decided to switch to a digital nomad, or remote work model altogether.
While a French digital nomad visa is not in place, foreign nationals are allowed to remain in the country depending on their nationality and whether they qualify for a self-employed visa in France.
Digital nomads can choose to enter the country under a private stay visa, and in this case, their time in the country will be limited. However, in some cases, this may suffice the nomad work purpose and they can choose to return to their home country and later come back to France for another entry.
A digital nomad has a flexible work schedule and lifestyle and, depending on your preferences, there may be more than one model that suits your needs to enter France. You can always discuss your options with our French immigration specialists.
The digital nomad visa for France can be issued as:
- a short-stay uniform Schengen visa for a stay that does not exceed 90 days in a given 180-day period;
- a long-stay national visa when the duration of the stay exceeds 90 days;
- long stays of more than 90 days are permitted for EU citizens, as well as for citizens of Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican.
The long-stay visa issued to non-EU nationals is the equivalent of the Schengen visa, allowing them to move within the Schengen Area for a period of maximum of 90 days (in each consecutive 180 days).
A digital nomad visa for France can be assimilated by the category of visas issued for professional purposes for self-employed persons, named self-employed visas in France. These can be issued to those who come to the country for business purposes or in order to meet their professional obligations, as well as those who will engage in self-employed activities or liberal activities. In this case, the applicant receives the equivalent of a residence permit (VSL/TS) which is valid for one year.
While many digital nomads enjoy the impermanence of their relocation due to the nature of their work (which is location-independent), others may find that they wish to remain in France. For this to be possible, they will need to apply for residency in France and will need a permanent residence permit issued according to their new purpose of stay. This permit will also need to be renewed.
Our team of French immigration lawyers can give you more details about the documents that are required when applying for a French freelance visa for professional purposes. We can also help you make the necessary arrangements that will allow you to carry out your professional activity after obtaining a self-employed visa in France.
What is the freelance visa for France (Passeport Talent)?
While it is not the exact equivalent of a digital nomad visa for France, the Passeport Talent visa was issued to attract self-employed individuals who wish to come to the country and start a new innovative company. They can also be joined by family members who will also benefit from receiving multi-year residence permits.
The minimum income required for self-employed persons is the equivalent of the minimum legal wage in France for a full-time worker (a monthly wage of €1,6045.58 for 35 hours per week in 2022). In other countries, such as Italy, the applicants for digital nomad visa must make the proof of having sufficient financial funds and the minimum amount is EUR 8,500.
Digital nomads can use this visa in a form that targets those who are ready to open a business in France, take control of an existing French company or make a direct economic investment. Some of the investment requirements are the following:
- invest at least €30,000 in the project when willing to create a business;
- make an equity investment of over 10% in the social capital of a company.
The Passeport Talent visa can also be considered the equivalent of a self-employed visa in France, as it can also be suitable for self-employed persons or those who engage in a liberal profession.
The following categories can also apply for the France freelance visa:
- individuals who will engage in an activity in France that is linked to their international reputation;
- performers or those who have created literary or artistic work.
Persons of international reputation can apply for the freelance visa for France if thy will engage in an activity in the fields of science, education, sports, literature or arts.
With the self-employed visa in France they will remain in the country for more than 3 months and will be asked to provide proof of sufficient income (at least the equivalent of the minimum wage for full-time workers).
The visa issued to the applicant will expressly state that he or she has a skilled residence permit for a person with national or international reputation.
The holder of the visa for international reputation used as a France freelance visa will need to apply for the multi-year residence permit in the following two months after their entry in France.
The maximum validity period for the visa issued to persons of national or international reputation is 4 years.
The other option is to remain in France for long-term purposes if employed or self-employed as a performer.
The visa for artistic or cultural professionals is also issued for a maximum period of 4 years, with the same requirement that the holder registers with the authorities within 2 months of arrival in France.
The supporting documentation for the visa for those who engage in artistic and cultural professions includes any documents that attest to one’s special qualifications or artistic abilities and inclination.
Post visa application steps for digital nomads in France
Firstly, our team underlines the fact that when you apply for a residence permit that is issued as a self-employed visa for France, you will need to pay EUR 225, out of which EUR 200 is the application fee and EUR 25 is the stamp duty.
Payment is mandatory as proof thereof is requested when applying for the residence permit.
If the application is accepted, the residence card is issued by the prefecture or sub-prefecture in the applicant’s area of residence (depending on where the application for the visa was submitted).
If the application receipt will expire shortly, and the French authorities have yet to issue a response, it is most likely that the processing time will be extended.
Our French immigration lawyer can help you find out more about the status of your application from the prefecture in the area where you applied.
The following situations are seen as a refusal from the prefecture to approve the issuance of the French freelance visa:
- lack of response within 4 months from the application date: the applicant then has the option to submit an administrative appeal before the Minister of Interior or a contentious appeal before the administrative court;
- express refusal of the application: when the prefecture has notified the applicant that the request is refused; if this is the case, the foreign national will also be subject to an obligation to leave the French territory; a contentious appeal can be lodged during a limited time.
If you are having issues with your application for a self-employed visa in France, our team of lawyers can help you.
Advantages for those who apply for a French freelance visa
- Location: France is conveniently located in Europe, allowing for fast travel to Germany, Switzerland, Italy or Spain;
- Networking: however briefly you choose to remain in the country for remote work, you can always increase your business and professional network; France is home to many digital and IT companies and you will be able to explore different opportunities in your field of work;
- Community: when you remain in the country under the equivalent of the digital nomad visa for France, you will have access to a large community of expats (see the statistics below);
- A beautiful country to discover: Paris, the French Coast, the Alps or the Pyrenees are all beautiful areas destinations worth exploring (and working from, as applicable).
In today’s modern world, the office does not need to be in one place anymore. Do you wish to know more about how to remain as a digital nomad in France? Digital nomads can choose to relocate to France with our help. The French business environment, as well as the ease of working with other professionals, are key advantages that determine many foreign freelancers to remain in the country. For a lengthier stay, you will need to renew the initial residence permit, as well as continue to comply with the general requirements for your stay.
Digital nomads enjoy their lifestyle, however, for those who wish to settle down, applying for French citizenship may be an option. Remaining in the country for a minimum number of years (five or more), as well as meeting other criteria allows a foreign national to apply for and obtain French nationality. At the same time, digital nomads who marry French citizens can also apply for this status.
Our team can help you. Contact us for more information about self-employed visa in France and residency.
