Does France have a 'digital nomad' visa?
Several countries have visas for people who work remotely for an employer abroad
Ask for the right visa from the start of your application if you plan to work in France
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Reader question: Does France have any plans for a ‘digital nomad visa’?
A ‘digital nomad’ is someone who plans to move to a foreign country and continue to work there remotely for an employer abroad, or for their usual clients, if they are self-employed.
Spain recently introduced a three-year visa with this in mind.
France does not have a specific ‘digital nomad’ visa and has not announced plans for one, however, there are options which can allow this kind of lifestyle.
You will need to make sure you ask for the right visa from the start of your application – you should not come with a ‘visitor’ visa, for example, as this does not allow the holder to do any work while they are in France.
In fact, a signed statement to the effect that you will not is part of the application documents for this.
Tax status
Bear in mind also that you will become a tax resident of France and need to declare your income for a given calendar year to France, in the spring of the following year.
You will also pay social charges in the country, and if you are in self-employment you will need to set up a properly-registered French business once you come to the country.
The main kind of visa that would be appropriate would be the self-employment visa: entrepreneur/profession libérale.
In order to obtain this visa you need to demonstrate appropriate qualifications and present a clear business plan as to how your business will make you at least the amount of the gross French minimum wage, currently €1,801.80/month.
Another option, for those planning to invest at least €30,000 on setting up a company in France, is the ‘passeport talent’ visa.
It is technically possible to work in France as an employee of a foreign business – the appropriate visa would therefore be an employee’s visa (salarié) – however in practice this is complex as the foreign company must make arrangements to pay French social charges for you.
You can obtain more information here.
