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France's Talent Passport (passeport talent, officially the multi-year residence card "talent") lets qualified workers, founders, researchers and other high-profile profiles live and work in France for up to four years. The employer does not need a work authorisation, and the spouse and children get their own "talent (famille)" card with the right to work.
The card has several categories. Each has its own conditions and minimum pay, listed below as published by Service-Public, the French government's information site.
The categories and their 2026 thresholds
| Category | Main conditions | Minimum pay or resources |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified employee (salarié qualifié) | Master's level diploma obtained in France (or a labelled Grandes Écoles diploma), or a job with an innovative company, or a group transfer after 3 months in the group. Contract of more than 3 months. | €39,582 gross a year |
| EU Blue Card (carte bleue européenne) | Degree from at least 3 years of higher education, or 5 years of comparable experience (3 years for some listed professions). Contract of at least 6 months. | €59,373 gross a year |
| Medical and pharmacy professions | Authorisation to practise under the Public Health Code | €41,386.48 gross a year |
| Researcher (chercheur) | Master's level degree and a hosting agreement with an approved research body | Check the current figure with Service-Public |
| Project founder (porteur de projet): business creation | Master's level or 5 years' comparable experience, a real business project and at least €30,000 of funding | Resources of at least €22,404.20 a year |
| Project founder: innovative project | Economic project recognised by the Ministry of the Economy | Resources of at least €22,404.20 a year |
| Project founder: economic investor | At least €300,000 invested in France, holding at least 30% of the capital or investing personally, and creating or keeping jobs | Not salary based |
| Corporate officer (mandataire social) | Legal representative of a French entity of a group, after 3 months in the group | €67,212.60 gross a year |
| Artistic and cultural professions | Performer or author of literary or artistic work in France | At least 70% of the minimum wage |
| National or international renown | Recognised reputation, or a significant contribution to France's economy or influence | Resources of at least €22,404.20 a year |
The figure of €22,404.20 is the full-time gross annual minimum wage (SMIC) used by Service-Public. Amounts linked to the SMIC or to the average salary move when those change, so confirm them on the day you file.
An important detail for HR: the "qualified employee" route based on a diploma needs a master's obtained in France. A candidate with a foreign master's usually qualifies through the Blue Card category, the innovative company route or a group transfer instead.
How long the card lasts
The card matches the length of the job contract, up to a maximum of four years. For an EU Blue Card with a contract under two years, it runs for the contract plus three months. After five years of legal and continuous residence, a 10-year EU long-term resident card can become possible.
Family members
The spouse and minor children of a Talent card holder get a "talent (famille)" card through a simplified procedure, without going through family reunification. The family card allows employed or self-employed work in France, and it runs for the time left on the main card. That makes the Talent Passport a family-friendly route. For how Sweden handles the same question, see our HR guide to family permits in Sweden.
The language rules from 1 January 2026
Since 1 January 2026, people who must sign France's republican integration contract (contrat d'intégration républicaine, CIR) need French at A2 level and a civic exam to get a first multi-year card, and B1 for a first resident card. Talent and talent (famille) card holders are listed by Service-Public as not required to sign the CIR, so the Talent route stays open to people who do not yet speak French. The rules can matter later, when a family moves to a resident card, so check the conditions at that point.
The process step by step
- Check the category and gather proof: diploma, contract, salary, and for founders the business plan or recognition letter.
- Apply for a long-stay visa on the France-Visas site. The visa fee is €99.
- Arrive in France. For a stay under one year you get a long-stay visa that works as a residence permit (VLS-TS) with the "talent" mention, which you validate online. For longer stays you then apply for the multi-year card.
- Follow the instructions that come with your visa for the online steps and for collecting the card.
- Pay the fees: Service-Public lists €350 for the card (€300 tax plus €50 stamp duty).
Timing depends on the consulate and the prefecture, so start early and keep every confirmation you receive.
Talent Passport vs other European routes
The Talent Passport's main advantages are the four-year length, no employer work authorisation and work rights for the spouse. If you are comparing France with northern Europe, read the Blue Card comparison for Sweden and Germany, the Sweden vs Germany vs Netherlands guide and our overview of the Swedish EU Blue Card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary threshold for the French Talent Passport in 2026?
It depends on the category. The qualified employee route needs €39,582 gross a year, the EU Blue Card €59,373, medical professions €41,386.48 and corporate officers €67,212.60, according to Service-Public.
Can my spouse work in France on a talent famille card?
Yes. The spouse receives a "talent (famille)" card that allows employed or self-employed work in France and runs for the time left on the main Talent card. The employer does not need a separate work authorisation.
Do I need to speak French for the Talent Passport?
No. Talent card holders do not have to sign the integration contract, so the A2 language and civic exam rules introduced on 1 January 2026 for multi-year cards do not block this route.
How long is the Talent Passport valid?
For the length of the job contract or project, up to four years. After five years of legal and continuous residence a 10-year EU long-term resident card may become available.
How Settio helps employers and agencies
Settio helps employers and immigration agencies run every work permit and relocation case in one place, from the first step to the renewal:
- Before the move: a plan for every hire, with each step, owner and deadline counted back from the start date, and documents that check themselves as they come in.
- After arrival: the employee portal shows the new hire their next steps on their phone, in their language, with no account or password.
- For the renewal: permit and salary monitoring tracks every expiry date and flags the extension in good time.
Your first hire is free, and agencies can try a real case for free. See plans and start.
Sources
8 official sources
- Service-Public: Talent card: multi-year residence card
- Service-Public: Contrat d'intégration républicaine (CIR)
- Business France (Welcome to France): Talent: qualified employee
- Business France (Welcome to France): Family members
- Service-Public: Multi-year residence card "talent-family"
- Service-Public: EU long-term resident card
- Service-Public: New residence permit fees
- France-Visas: Visa fees
More in our guide toRelocation and immigration in Europe
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