Does France have any plans for ‘digital nomad’ visas?

Spain recently started to offer ‘digital nomad’ visas for people who want to move over and continue working from home for an employer abroad. Does that exist in France? 

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 but 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. 

The issue of whether or not it is possible for non-EU nationals living in France to work remotely for foreign employers – including when on a long-stay ‘visitor’ visa / residency card – is often raised. Some websites advise that holders of these visas/cards can work as ‘digital nomads’ for foreign employers from France.

However, many experts caution against it as a general rule and there are grey areas, especially if the person has not clearly settled permanently in France. Visitor visa applicants sign a statement to the effect that they will not carry out any professional activity in France.

There is some leeway when it comes to renting out property, however. Bear in mind that if you become a tax resident of France you 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 register a French business once you come to the country. 

The main kind of suitable visa would be the entrepreneur self-employment visa. You need to demonstrate appropriate qualifications and present a business plan as to how you will make at least the French minimum wage (€1,426 net a month as of 2025). Another option is to invest at least €30,000 setting up a company to obtain a talent visa.

It is possible to work as an employee of a foreign business – the visa would therefore be an employee’s visa. However, in practice it may be hard to obtain a visa for this and it is complex from the point of view of the foreign firm, which would have to make arrangements to pay French social charges.