Permanent residence in France - the status of permanent resident, which practically equalizes you in rights with the citizens of the state. It can be issued after 5 years of continuous residence in the country with certain types of residence permits. For example, you can immigrate as an investor, employee of a local company, entrepreneur, family member of a citizen or resident of the state. Permanent residence is granted to those who have no criminal record, loyal to the country, earns a monthly income of 1800 EUR (before taxes), is protected by health insurance and knows the national language at the level of A2.

When moving to France for permanent residence, you have the right to work, study, enjoy social guarantees, conduct commercial activities, invite relatives to live with you. Also, later you can request citizenship by naturalization, provided that you pass integration and language tests. The French Republic is one of the most economically strong and attractive countries in the world.

Moving to France in a simplified procedure is available to passport holders of any of the EU countries. In this case, you have the right to immigrate without searching for a reason and stay for permanent residence with your family without additional conditions. You can learn more about the programs of obtaining EU citizenship within 12 months from Immigrantinlaw immigration specialists at free consultation.

Immigration to France: advantages and peculiarities

Immigration to France is attractive due to the variety of available programs. You can count on permanent residence here even in case of prolonged medical treatment in the country, being in the status of a financially secure parent of French adults or an entrepreneur regardless of the profitability of the company. The move is available without large investments, for example, if you offer an innovative business project and it is supported by investment funds.

Usually, emigration from other countries to France does not take long. Long-term visa is opened in an average of 2 weeks, and with it you can already legally move to the Republic. A residence permit is first issued for six months, and then extended in about 2 months. Unlike, for example, Estonia, there are no annual quotas on the number of immigrants. France has one of the fastest naturalizations in the European Union: you can get a passport in 5 years after moving here.

There are also peculiarities of immigration programs in France, the main one is a significant list of requirements to the applicant. Usually for moving you need to have a stable monthly income (the minimum salary in the country is 1400 EUR after taxes), a place to live (bought, provided or rented). Each program has its own nuances, for example, employers employ foreigners on a residual principle, after EU citizens.

To apply for a permanent residence permit, you will need to keep a reason to live in France for all 5 years, which is far from easy. For example, if the employer terminates the contract after 3 years, you will have to leave the state, and the period of residence will be canceled. Also, permanent residents must successfully pass the language test and do not use social benefits, which also is not suitable for everyone.

Advantages of living in France

The advantages of migrating to France include:

• High salaries.
  According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Research, the average monthly income in France is 3316 EUR. The minimum wage is 1800 EUR. At the same time, the expected expenses per person per month according to Numbeo statistics are about 950 EUR, so the country has a very high level of purchasing power of the population.
• Developed medicine.
  France's health care index in Numbeo rating is 78 points, i.e., high. Medicine in the country is paid, but it is available to the population, as it works on the principle of compulsory insurance. All private and public clinics are equipped with modern technologies and employ qualified medical personnel.
• Observance of the principles of democracy.
  France is a country where everyone can count on freedom of speech and the guarantee of human rights protection. There are no cases of discrimination on any grounds, including nationality and religion. Residents can enjoy the benefits of the social system on an equal footing with citizens, and can seek assistance from law enforcement and judicial authorities.
• Prospects for entrepreneurs.
  France's economy is one of the strongest in the world, characterized by stable GDP growth. Here you can open a business with a high probability of profitability in many areas, from international tourism to heavy industry. The country is a member of the WTO, EU, EEA, so as a permanent resident you can represent your company's interests internationally, enjoying customs and visa privileges.
• Favorable conditions for life in general.
  France's climatic index is 90 points out of a possible 100, i.e. very high. You can find a place to move to your liking in the quieter northern regions or among the popular resorts on the Mediterranean coast. The state has an excellent infrastructure - even small towns have everything you need, from stores and pharmacies to public transportation. The Republic attracts good ecology, delicious food, cheerful mentality of the French.

Immigration programs in France: conditions for moving to France

Immigration to France for permanent residence is not possible with all types of residence permits. For example, temporary documents that are issued for training, internships, as well as domestic helpers and seasonal workers do not give the right to subsequently obtain a permanent residence permit. They can be used to move and find another reason to stay in the country, for example, to start working after graduation, but it is not certain that the plan will be realized.

To move to France with the prospect of staying permanently you can open a long-term visa and residence permit of immigration type. The grounds for this can be employment, self-employment, company registration. You can also get a “talent passport” - a special residence permit for 4 years for those whose activities are of economic benefit to the republic. Immigration is available to key investors, family members of French citizens and residents, as well as those who leave for other reasons, such as humanitarian.

Employment

If you sign an employment contract with a French company for more than 3 months, you have the right to move to the Republic with the prospect of naturalization. In the European Union, foreigners are only hired if EU citizens and residents have not applied for a vacancy. The employer will request a work permit for you through the prefecture before you apply for a residence permit. Your salary must be at least the national minimum wage. In some cases, you need to prove the right to practice a relevant activity, such as medicine, if the profession is listed as regulated.

Moving to France to work can also be done by:

• employees of international companies seconded to a local branch (with a salary of 1.8 minimum you receive a “talent passport”);
• participants in mobility programs within the European Union;
• those who immigrate as part of intra-corporate transfers;
• researchers and teaching staff at the invitation of licensed organizations (if you have a master's degree, you can obtain a “talent passport”).

Immigration to France for permanent residence is not possible if you are employed under a short-term contract, for example, as a seasonal employee or domestic worker under the Au Pair program.

EU Blue Card

Highly skilled professionals can obtain the French carte bleue européenne - a residence permit with a validity of up to 4 years and the right to family immigration. The conditions are:

• employment according to the profile in a local company for a period of 12 months or more;
• a university degree in a relevant specialty or 5 years of equivalent work experience;
• receiving from one and a half average monthly salaries in the country (about 5000 EUR per month).

Startup entrepreneurs

If you have developed an idea for an innovative economic project that can benefit the French economy, you can expect to move with a “talent passport”. Your startup must be supported and sponsored by licensed public bodies, in particular - venture capital funds or business incubators. You must also have on your personal account an amount equal to the minimum annual income in the country, i.e., from 21 600 EUR. The sphere of activity of the future company is not limited by the law, the main thing is to get the support of members of the French Tech ecosystem.

France supports the development of promising startups in every possible way and allows employees of such organizations to immigrate to the country. You should receive twice the minimum wage, i.e., from 2800 EUR per month after tax deduction per month. Your employment contract must be valid for more than three months and your work must be directly related to business innovation.

Key investors

A “talent passport” is available to those who are willing to invest 300 thousand EUR or more in the French economy. You must invest personally or through an organization that you own at least one third of. It is necessary that your investment contributes to the creation or preservation of jobs in the company for the duration of the residence permit. Investments are allowed in company shares or reinvested profits.

Foreign businessmen

Immigration to France is possible for sole proprietors and businessmen who start a company in the commercial, handicraft, industrial or agricultural sectors. The amount of the authorized capital is not set by law, but it should be enough to realize your idea. The authorities will first check the viability of your business plan and may then grant a standard residence permit for up to 12 months.

Those whose company is registered in France and has an authorized capital of 30 thousand EUR or more can get a “talent passport”. It is also necessary to have a master's degree or five years of experience in your field of activity (coincide with the above, except for agriculture). The company must be new: takeover of existing companies is considered as an exception, provided that it is in the interest of the Republic.

EU passport holders

The most favorable conditions for moving to France are for citizens of the European Union. With an EU passport you do not need to look for a reason for immigration: it is enough to come and get a residence card in the local prefecture. The main thing is to be able to support yourself, for example, to work or receive dividends in the amount of 650 EUR per month. In France you enjoy all the rights of local citizens, including free education and social support. It is possible to move at once for the whole family - your relatives will not need a residence permit, but they can get it if they wish.

A number of EU countries have simplified citizenship programs. You can get a second passport in just 4-12 months without prior residence in the state with residence permit, passing an integration test, large investments and renunciation of current citizenship. Immigrantinlaw's international law specialists help to analyze the chances of participating in such a procedure.

French family members

You can move to France if you have close relatives here. When the receiving party holds an EU passport, there are no additional conditions. In case your relative or spouse is a foreigner with a residence permit, it is important that their residence permit has been issued for at least one year and they have been living in the country for 18 months or more at the time of application. The inviting family member must provide you with a place to stay (minimum 10 square meters per person). It is important that you have the means to support yourself or that the costs are covered by the host family member.

Family reunification is normally granted to legal spouses as well as minor children of French citizens and residents or EU passport holders. De facto cohabitants can also move through a long-term visitor visa, provided that they have been in union with the host country for 12 months or more. The same opportunity is available to dependent parents of local residents. The visitor visa is open if you have a permanent income from your own sources (e.g., bank certificates or pension) of about 17,000 EUR per year.

Other cases

To move to France and potentially stay for permanent residence can:

• religious persons at the invitation of officially recognized churches;
• financially independent foreigners, provided they do not work or do business in the Republic;
• refugees or applicants for international protection;
• foreigners moving for humanitarian reasons, such as long-term medical treatment in the country or victims of crime.

In each case, the need to move must be justified. For example, you provide a certificate of cooperation from a church organization or request refugee status because of a threat to your life and health in your home country.

Those with national or international achievements can apply for a “talent passport” to immigrate to France. Example: scientists, athletes and coaches, writers, artists, artists of all kinds.

Individual selection of immigration program

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Reviews of foreigners about living in France

Immigrants in their reviews often cite not only the pros and cons of moving to France. Among the advantages they emphasize the high standard of living of the population and the opportunity to buy everything you need even with a minimal income. Foreigners like the original culture of the country, the friendliness of the inhabitants, the variety of offers in the real estate market: from modern housing in Paris to authentic old-style houses in the Mediterranean. They also note the variety of vacancies in the labor market, the country's notable support of small and medium-sized businesses and grant companies, and the mild climate.

The disadvantages of living in France are often attributed to high taxes, which are calculated on a progressive scale. Large cities are crowded and quite dirty, and the level of security here cannot be called high, especially in disadvantaged areas. Real estate is expensive: you have to pay on average from 4000 to 6000 EUR per square meter when buying, and in Paris - 10-12 thousand EUR. The French language is difficult to master, and in English locals speak reluctantly. Also, in reviews the immigrants often talk about slow work and bureaucracy of public services.

Problems of foreigners when immigrating to France

Among the disadvantages of moving to France, reviews often mention a peculiar migration policy. There are a lot of refugees from Arab states and former French colonies (for example, Algeria) with a special mentality, which affects the growth of crime. At the same time, it is difficult for immigrants who move here without humanitarian reasons to open a residence permit, especially without a stable large income. Although there are many grounds for residency, they are available mainly to qualified professionals, investors, businessmen and those who have family ties in the Republic.

To immigrate to France without problems, large expenses and special efforts, it is worth getting the support of international law specialists. Immigrantinlaw's specialized lawyers will take into account your wishes and choose the best way to move to France, taking into account the peculiarities of your dossier and potential costs. Immigration specialists will provide you with support at every stage of the procedure until a successful outcome. To start the relocation process today, it is worth signing up for a free legal consultation.

About the author

Diana Weber

Lawyer of international law

Diane Weber is an international law specialist with 10 years of legal practice experience. Her portfolio includes successful stories of citizenship in different European Union countries under simplified procedures. Diana provides detailed advice and helps many people to achieve their immigration goals in a short period of time, including resolving visa issues, assisting in obtaining residence permits and citizenship in the EU countries. In her blog, Diana Weber enjoys providing readers with detailed information about the features of most popular programs for obtaining a second passport.