France is simplifying the process for highly experienced non-EU citizens to settle and get employed in the nation. As of 2nd May 2025, France has rolled out new, comfortable laws for the EU Blue Card, a visa scheme intended to attract top foreign talent.
These modifications are part of France’s enforcement of the 2021 EU Blue Card Directive, which is intended to develop a more unified and enticing job immigration program across Europe. Let us break down the updates, how they will affect employees and employers, and how to apply for the EU Blue Card in France.
Table of Contents
Significant Features Of The EU Blue Card
- Liberty to work: It awards the holder the freedom to be employed in a highly eligible occupation in the providing EU nation.
- Residence permit: It is also administered as a residence permit, permitting the holder to settle in the providing nation.
- Family reunification usually promotes the procedures for relatives to join the Blue Card holder.
- Intra-EU Mobility: After a specific duration of lawful residence, blue card holders may be able to relocate and get employed in other EU Member nations under stimulated requirements.
- Route to permanent residence: It can be administered as a stepping stone towards long-term residence in the EU.
Major Modifications To The French EU Blue Card (Starting May 2025)
Find out the key updates to the French EU Blue Card beginning in May 2025, which include relaxed qualifications, shorter contract conditions, and enhanced mobility across the European Union.
Meaning Of The EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is a residence and employment permit for highly experienced non-EU citizens. It enables eligible experts to settle and get employed in an EU nation and provides advantages such as family reunification and simpler long-term residence across the EU.
The EU launched the card in 2009 to entice skills from outside Europe. Hence, enforcement has differed globally across member states. To address this, the European Union embraced a revamped directive in 2021, which France is currently implementing.
1. Occupational Experience Currently Counts As A Degree
You no longer require a higher education program to make an application. If you have at least 36 months of necessary occupational skill in the last seven years, you can now be eligible for the French EU Blue Card.
Before, only applicants with a 36-month higher education degree or five years of job skills were qualified.
This is important: It broadens employers’ skill collection and provides skilled employees without formal education with a new route into France.
2. Shorter Job Contracts Are Now Approved
The time for a qualified job contract has decreased from 1 year to six months.
Why this is important: While this attaches adjustability for employers, in practice, several highly experienced positions in France are provided on permanent contracts. Yet, it reduces the access barrier.
3. Simpler Mobility Within The EU
You can relocate to France under the relaxed requirements if you already hold an EU Blue Card from another EU nation.
- After 1 year in another EU nation, you can go to France without a different visa.
- The same applies if you have stayed one year in one EU nation and six months in another.
You are still required to make an application for a French EU Blue Card within 30 days of landing.
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Why this is important: These mobility changes make it simpler for multinational firms to migrate staff across borders.
4. Longer Visa Authenticity For Short Contracts
For contracts under 24 months, your Blue Card can now be authentic for three months longer than your employment contract, up to a maximum of two years.
If your employment contract is 24 months or longer, the card period continues to align with the contract, up to four years.
Why this is important: The additional time assists employees in renewing permits or looking for new employment without losing their lawful status.
5. Quicker Track To EU Long-Term Residence
The time utilized in France under other residence permits (apart from Blue Card) currently counts towards the five-year conditions for the EU long-term residence permit.
Why this is important: This will simplify obtaining permanent residency, assist employers in maintaining experienced staff, and provide employees with long-term safety.
Reasons France Is Making These Modifications
Like several other EU countries, France is experiencing labor shortages, mostly in tech, healthcare, and engineering. By extending qualification and enhancing adjustability, the French authority desires to:
- Entice a wider collection of global skill
- Promote intra-EU labour mobility
- Enhance long-term skill retention.
In 2023, France provided 12,647 EU Blue Cards, which included 8,616 for primary candidates and 4,031 for dependents.
Applying For The EU Blue Card In France
Understand this procedure for applying for the EU Blue Card in France, which includes qualifications, needed documents, and hints to improve your authorization prospects.
Qualification Measures (Post-May 2025 Changes)
- An employment offer in France with a least six-month contract
- Yearly income is at least 1.5 times the French average annual gross income.
- Either a:
- A higher education program necessary for employment
- Three years of current job skill in an essential area (for select positions)
Application Stages
- Get an employment offer from a French employer
- The employer presented a request to the French labor authorities (DREETS)
- Once endorsed, apply for a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) at the French consulate.
- Go into France and authenticate your visa online within 3 months.
- Apply for the EU Blue Card residence permit at your local prefecture.
Documents Needed For The EU Blue Card In France
You must present the following primary documents to apply for the EU Blue Card in France.
- Authentic passport with a minimum of two blank pages.
- Job contract of a minimum of six months with a French employer.
- Evidence of income satisfying the least threshold (often 1.5 times France’s average gross yearly income).
- Academic certification or proof of 3 years and more of necessary occupational skills.
- CV highlighting your job history.
- Evidence of Health Insurance Authentic in France.
- Proof of housing in France, such as a rental agreement.
- Filled out the application form for the EU Blue Card.
- Passport-sized pictures satisfying French visa picture measures.
- Reimbursement of the application fee.
Hint: Further documents may be required based on your case or local prefecture. It is ideal to review this with the French immigration office or your employer’s HR team.
