France has no digital nomad visa, and since June 2025 French authorities have said remote work is not allowed on the long-stay visitor visa. Freelancers can apply for the self-employed (profession libérale) visa; remote employees need a French employer-based route such as the Talent Passport.
Checked against the sources at the end on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visit first | 90 days in any 180 (Schengen) |
| Route for remote workers | Profession libérale (self-employed) long-stay visa |
| Money you need to show | Freelancers must show a viable activity earning at least the French minimum wage, about €21,876 a year (about €1,823 a month) |
| Length | 1 year, renewable as a multi-year permit |
| Government fees | About €99 visa fee, plus an online validation tax after arrival |
| Timeline | Usually 2 to 6 weeks after your VFS appointment |
| Where you apply | France-Visas online, then an appointment at VFS Global in the US |
| Family | Family members apply for their own visas; Talent Passport holders can bring family more easily |
| Long-term residence | Permanent (10-year) residence after 5 years of legal residence; citizenship generally after 5 years |
| US taxes | Still due every year. See our US taxes and banking guide |
Who qualifies
France has no digital nomad visa, and since June 2025 French authorities have said remote work is not allowed on the long-stay visitor visa. Freelancers can apply for the self-employed (profession libérale) visa; remote employees need a French employer-based route such as the Talent Passport.
- Remote employees of companies outside France: not on this route.
- Freelancers and business owners: yes.
- Income: Freelancers must show a viable activity earning at least the French minimum wage, about €21,876 a year (about €1,823 a month). That's about $2,040 a month.
Open question: France has not published one rule on remote work for a foreign employer. Sources report the visitor-visa ban from mid-2025; confirm with the consulate.
Documents
Order US documents first: apostilles and FBI checks are the slowest part.
- Passport and France-Visas application
- Business plan or proof of your freelance activity and clients
- Proof of income at least the minimum wage
- Proof of accommodation in France
- Health insurance
- Diplomas or proof of qualifications for regulated professions
Step by step from the US
- Check your numbers against the rule above, using the last 6 to 12 months of income.
- Order US documents: FBI background check, apostilles and translations where needed.
- Apply: France-Visas online, then an appointment at VFS Global in the US.
- Buy health insurance that meets the requirement for your whole stay.
- Arrive and register your address and any residence card on time.
Taxes
- More than 183 days, or your main home in France, makes you a French tax resident, taxed on worldwide income
- The US-France tax treaty and the foreign tax credit prevent most double tax
- France has a Social Security (totalization) agreement with the US
- Register as a micro-entrepreneur or professional and pay French social charges on freelance income
- US citizens still file a US return every year. The foreign earned income exclusion is up to $132,900 for 2026; the foreign tax credit is the alternative. See our US taxes guide.
Common mistakes
- Don't use the visitor visa to work remotely: authorities have said it isn't allowed
- Freelancers usually need French registration (micro-entreprise) and social contributions
- Validate your VLS-TS online within 3 months of arriving
Where to live in France
Our city guides cover costs in dollars, neighborhoods, live weather and the time difference: Paris · Lyon · Nice · Bordeaux.
Moving with a partner or kids? See Moving abroad with family.
Sources
Checked on November 2, 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so above.
- Remote Work Europe: France bans remote work on visitor visa (Apr 2026)
- Connexion France: Can visitor visa holders work remotely?
- France-Visas (official)
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