In brief
France is the second-largest economy in the eurozone, with output broadly distributed across manufacturing (aerospace, defence, automotive, pharmaceuticals), energy (nuclear dominates the mix, and Areva/EDF anchor a large public-sector footprint), financial services (Paris), and a diverse services sector. The Paris metropolitan region generates roughly 30% of national GDP; Lyon, Toulouse, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Nice are the other major urban economies. A high-speed-rail network (TGV) and integrated autoroute system make inter-city movement faster than in most comparable G7 economies.
For international workers the structural instrument is the Talent residence permit (renamed from Passeport Talent under the January 2024 immigration reform). It consolidates what used to be a sprawling set of category-specific permits into two simpler "skilled talent" and "project talent" families — qualified employees, researchers, founders of innovative economic projects, investors, and highly-skilled workers fitting the EU Blue Card framework. Talent permits are exempt from labour-market testing and from the A2-level French language requirement that applies from 1 January 2026 to most other multi-year residence permits.
The immigration reform of 26 January 2024 (Law 2024-42) was the largest legislative change in the field in roughly a decade. It lengthened the continuous-residence requirement for permanent residence (carte de résident) from five to seven years, made several family-reunification conditions stricter, and created a dedicated "Talent – Medical Profession" residence permit for non-EU doctors, dentists, midwives, and pharmacists (PADHUE). A June 2025 decree adjusted Talent-permit salary thresholds and streamlined EU Blue Card processing. France remains a Schengen Area member and operates internal border checks sporadically under its Article 25 derogation.
Labour market
Labour market
Headline labour-market figures for France, drawn from national statistical offices and ILO-modelled estimates. Figures update as each source publishes new periods.
Unemployment
7.5%
% · 2025 · World Bank
Youth unemployment
18.9%
% ages 15-24 · 2025 · World Bank
Employment-to-population
52.4%
% ages 15+ · 2024 · World Bank
Labour-force participation
56.6%
% ages 15+ · 2024 · World Bank
Female participation
52.9%
% females 15+ · 2024 · World Bank
Labour force
31,827,794
people · 2025 · World Bank
Definitions: employment-to-population ratio is the proportion of the working-age population (15+) that is employed. Labour-force participation rate is the proportion of the working-age population that is either employed or actively job-seeking. Youth unemployment refers to the 15–24 cohort.
Source: World Bank Open Data (ILO-modelled estimates and national-account sources).
Demographics
Demographics
France has a population of 68,551,653, of which 79% live in urban areas. People aged 65 and over make up 22.1% of the population against a fertility rate of 1.61 births per woman — well below the 2.1 replacement rate.
68,551,653World Bank · 2024Population
78.8%World Bank · 2024Urban share
22.1%World Bank · 2024Aged 65+
83.0 yrsWorld Bank · 2024Life expectancy
1.61World Bank · 2024Fertility rate
Official language is French. The country's demographic profile, like most of western Europe, is aging — the 65-plus share is roughly double what it was in the 1970s and still climbing. Net migration is the main source of population growth.
Sources: World Bank Open Data ↗ · UN Population Division ↗
Sources: World Bank Open Data · United Nations Population Division · national statistical office.
Visa & immigration
Visa & immigration
Not legal advice. Every figure below links to its official government source. Rules change; verify the specific threshold, processing time, and eligibility for your case before applying.
Talent – Qualified Employee
Non-EU qualified professionals hired by French employers.
€39,582 minimum salary threshold · 48 months initial · path to permanent · 3–8 weeks processing
The renamed and restructured Passeport Talent route following the January 2024 reform. Multi-year residence permit (up to 4 years) for qualified professionals with a French employment contract. June 2025 decree set the salary threshold at €39,582 gross per year for standard applications and intra-group mobility. Exempt from labour-market testing; family members receive accompanying-family permits with right to work.
Requirements
- Employment contract of at least 3 months with a French employer
- Gross annual salary of at least €39,582 (June 2025 threshold)
- Qualification equivalent to master's level (Bac+5) or equivalent professional experience
- Valid passport; criminal-record certificate
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Service-Public.fr — Official administrative portal ↗
· share your experience
Talent – EU Blue Card
Non-EU graduates with a qualifying job offer and EU intra-mobility needs.
€59,373 minimum salary threshold · 48 months initial · path to permanent · 3–6 weeks processing
France's implementation of the EU-harmonised Blue Card within the Talent permit framework. June 2025 decree raised the salary threshold to €59,373 gross per year (from €53,836). Offers EU-wide mobility after 12 months in France. Accompanying-family permits include right to work. Simultaneous processing of the applicant's permit and their spouse's family permit became standard under the 2025 decree.
Requirements
- Higher-education degree (minimum 3 years of post-secondary study)
- Employment contract of at least 12 months
- Gross annual salary of at least €59,373 (June 2025 threshold)
- Valid passport
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Service-Public.fr — Official administrative portal ↗
· share your experience
Talent – Researcher
Researchers and academics hosted by a French research institution.
No salary floor · 48 months initial · path to permanent · 2–6 weeks processing
Multi-year permit for holders of a "hosting agreement" (convention d'accueil) with an approved French research institution. No minimum salary, but stipends must cover the French SMIC. Valid for the duration of the research contract up to 4 years. Family members receive accompanying permits with right to work; mobility across the EU for research of up to 180 days per year without additional permits.
Requirements
- Hosting agreement (convention d'accueil) with an approved research institution
- Master's-equivalent qualification
- Research contract or doctoral programme enrolment
- Stipend at least equal to the French minimum wage
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Service-Public.fr — Official administrative portal ↗
· share your experience
Talent – Creation of Enterprise / Innovative Economic Project
Non-EU founders establishing a business or innovative project in France.
No salary floor · 48 months initial · path to permanent · 4–12 weeks processing
Multi-year permit for founders of either (a) a new company with a qualifying capital investment of at least €30,000, or (b) an innovative economic project backed by a public body (typically Bpifrance or the French Tech label). Distinct from the Visitor/VLS-TS route; recognises genuine business-building rather than passive investment.
Requirements
- €30,000 investment in a French company (creation route) OR innovative project recognition
- Master's-equivalent qualification OR 5 years of professional experience
- Viable business plan
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Service-Public.fr — Official administrative portal ↗
· share your experience
Talent – Medical and Pharmacy Profession (PADHUE)
Non-EU doctors, dentists, midwives, and pharmacists with French practice certification.
No salary floor · 48 months initial · path to permanent · 4–10 weeks processing
Created by the January 2024 immigration reform. Four-year multi-annual permit for Praticiens à Diplôme Hors Union Européenne (PADHUE) who hold a certificate to practise medicine, dentistry, midwifery, or pharmacy in France. Addresses structural shortages in public hospitals and regional health systems, and replaces the prior short-term contractual arrangements for these professionals.
Requirements
- French practice certificate (autorisation d'exercice) for the regulated medical/pharmacy profession
- Employment contract with a French healthcare institution
- Recognition of foreign qualifications
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Service-Public.fr — Official administrative portal ↗
· share your experience
VLS-TS Visitor (long-stay visa acting as residence permit)
Self-funded movers (retirees, passive-income earners) not working in France.
€21,600 minimum salary threshold · 12 months initial · path to permanent · 2–6 weeks processing
Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit for up to 12 months for people not intending to work in France. Minimum income requirement broadly pegged to the SMIC (annualised ~€21,600 in 2025). Cannot be used to work. Renewable; path to multi-annual "carte de séjour temporaire" after the first year and to carte de résident after 7 years of continuous residence under the 2024 reform (was 5 years).
Requirements
- Passive income at or above the annualised SMIC (≈€21,600 in 2025)
- Private health insurance
- Proof of accommodation in France
- Commitment not to work in France
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
France-Visas (consular portal) ↗
· share your experience
Primary sources cited per row; every figure links to the issuing authority.