France · Freelance visa · Open
France Freelance and Entrepreneur Visa: Requirements and How to Apply
France has no digital nomad visa, but the entrepreneur and liberal profession visa (profession libérale) is the closest route for freelancers and business owners. It is meant for people who will run their main activity in France, such as a consultant, a designer, a small business owner or a regulated professional. For an existing activity, the income test is the full-time minimum wage, which service-public puts at €1,867.02 per month.
It is not a good fit if you plan to keep working for a foreign employer. Read the France-Visas page and the service-public guide before you apply, and see our France country guide.
At a glance
France Freelance and Entrepreneur Visa (Profession Libérale) (Visa entrepreneur / profession libérale)
- Who it’s for
- Non-EU citizens who want to run their own business, work as a freelancer or exercise a liberal profession in France as their main activity
- Income requirement
- €1,867 a month
- How it’s calculated
- For an existing activity or liberal profession, income at least equal to the full-time minimum wage (SMIC); service-public states €1,867.02 per month from 1 June 2026. New businesses must show economic viability.
- Initial stay
- Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit for 1 year; validate within 15 days of arrival (private doctors within three months)
- Renewal
- Yes: first card up to 1 year, then a 4-year multi-year card is possible; a temporary card cannot be renewed more than 3 consecutive times for the same reason
- Path to permanent residence
- About 5 years of residence; conditions apply (confirm)
- Family can join
- Yes
- Can work for local employers
- Yes
- Health insurance required
- Yes
- Processing time
- Not stated officially
- Fees
- First card €350 and renewal €250 in tax stamps (service-public); a visa fee applies for the long-stay visa.
- Tax
- Self-employed income is taxed in France at progressive rates plus social contributions and VAT rules; the activity must be registered through the company formalities one-stop shop. Get advice from an accountant.
Key requirements
- Activity registered with the company formalities one-stop shop and conducted as your main work
- Viable business plan and multi-year budget for new businesses
- Income at least equal to the SMIC for existing activities and liberal professions
- Qualifications required for regulated professions (e.g. architects, doctors)
- Kbis extract or statutes, or Urssaf registration for liberal professions
- OFII medical certificate, proof of address and photos for the card
- Commitment to republican principles and, later, French-language and civic requirements for multi-year cards
- Option of a passeport talent for activities that boost economic attractiveness
Checked against the official page · Last checked Oct 7, 2026. Rules change — confirm with the consulate or a qualified advisor. Not legal advice.
Who qualifies
Non-EU citizens who want to create or take over a commercial, industrial, craft, agricultural or liberal activity in France as their main occupation. The activity must be registered through the company formalities one-stop shop and match your qualifications or experience. For regulated professions you must meet the diploma or registration rules, and private doctors must complete additional steps with the authorities.
Income requirement
For an existing activity or a liberal profession, you must show resources at least equal to the full-time SMIC. Service-public gives €1,867.02 per month, which matches the gross minimum wage after 1 June 2026. For a new business, the focus is economic viability, shown through a business plan and a multi-year budget. We model about €1,867 a month.
Documents you'll need
- Valid passport and the long-stay visa application from the France-Visas wizard
- Proof that your activity is registered, such as a Kbis extract, statutes, or Urssaf registration for liberal professions
- Business plan and multi-year budget for new businesses
- Proof of qualifications for regulated professions
- Proof of resources and health coverage
- Proof of address, photos and, for the residence card, an OFII medical certificate and a signed commitment to the Republic's principles
Step-by-step application
- Check the France-Visas wizard for your situation and consulate.
- Prepare your business plan or income proof.
- Apply for the long-stay visa marked "entrepreneur/profession libérale".
- After arrival, validate the visa within 15 days (private doctors have three months).
- Register the activity and keep your records current.
- Apply for a residence card before the visa expires, if needed, and later for a multi-year card.
- Consider whether a talent passport would suit you better.
Costs and timeline
Service-public lists €350 in tax stamps for a first card and €250 for a renewal, with a €180 surcharge for late applications. The visa fee is set by country. The pages do not state a processing time. The first card is valid for up to one year; later you can apply for a four-year multi-year card for €350.
Taxes once you're resident
France taxes residents on worldwide income, with 2026 bands from 0% up to €11,600 to 45% above €181,917. Self-employed people also pay social contributions and may need to charge VAT. Work with a French accountant, and plan for US filing if relevant. We are not tax advisors.
Family members
Family members can generally join, subject to the rules for your status. Check the family card options with the prefecture.
Alternatives
If your activity boosts France's economic attractiveness, the France-Visas page notes a talent passport with an initial four-year stay. If you do not plan to work, use the long-stay visitor visa. Italy's digital nomad visa is an option if you want to keep a foreign remote job. To compare freelance routes:
| Route | Country | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Freelance / Business Visa (Zivno Trade Licence) | Czechia | Freelance visa | Open | — | Long-term visa for up to 1 year | Permanent residence generally follows f… |
| France Freelance and Entrepreneur Visa (Profession Libérale) | France | Freelance visa | Open | €1,867/mo income | Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit for 1 year; vali… | About 5 years of residence; conditions … |
| Germany Freelance Visa (Freiberufler) | Germany | Freelance visa | Open | — | Up to 3 years | A settlement permit can be applied for … |
| Portugal D2 Visa (Independent Worker and Entrepreneur) | Portugal | Freelance visa | Open | — | Residence visa valid 120 days, then a 2-year residence perm… | 5 years of legal residence; citizenship… |
| Sweden Self-Employed Permit | Sweden | Freelance visa | Open | €17,819 investment | Up to 2 years, never beyond passport validity | Permanent residence permits are general… |
Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page — confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.
Rules change, so confirm with the consulate or a qualified advisor.
Other freelance visas in Europe
| Route | Country | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Freelance / Business Visa (Zivno Trade Licence) | Czechia | Freelance visa | Open | — | Long-term visa for up to 1 year | Permanent residence generally follows f… |
| France Freelance and Entrepreneur Visa (Profession Libérale) | France | Freelance visa | Open | €1,867/mo income | Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit for 1 year; vali… | About 5 years of residence; conditions … |
| Germany Freelance Visa (Freiberufler) | Germany | Freelance visa | Open | — | Up to 3 years | A settlement permit can be applied for … |
| Portugal D2 Visa (Independent Worker and Entrepreneur) | Portugal | Freelance visa | Open | — | Residence visa valid 120 days, then a 2-year residence perm… | 5 years of legal residence; citizenship… |
| Sweden Self-Employed Permit | Sweden | Freelance visa | Open | €17,819 investment | Up to 2 years, never beyond passport validity | Permanent residence permits are general… |
Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page — confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.
Other ways to live in France
Moving to France: the complete guide →
Frequently asked questions
Does France have a digital nomad visa?
No. The profession libérale visa is for people who run their main activity in France, not for keeping a foreign remote job.
How much income do you need for the French freelance visa?
For an existing activity or liberal profession, resources at least equal to the full-time SMIC, which service-public gives as €1,867.02 a month. New businesses must prove viability.
How long is the first card valid?
Up to one year. After that, a four-year multi-year card is possible if you meet the conditions.
Do I need to speak French?
Renewal into a multi-year card requires A2 French and a civic exam, per service-public.
How much does it cost?
First card €350 and renewal €250 in tax stamps, plus the visa fee.
Sources and last checked · Oct 7, 2026
Notes: Read today: France-Visas self-employed/liberal page (SMIC-equivalent resources, one-year visa, validation within 15 days, passeport-talent alternative) and service-public F35795 (income at least €1,867.02 a month; first card up to 1 year at €350; renewal €250; 4-year card possible; A2 French and civics for first multi-year card). This route is the closest France has to a freelancer visa; it is not a digital nomad visa and generally does not suit remote work for a foreign employer. Processing time and the visa fee are not on the pages read.
- france-visas.gouv.fr/en/activite-non-salariee-ou-liberale
- service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F35795?lang=en
Figures are our research estimates from the sources above; rules and prices change. Not legal, tax or immigration advice. Spot something out of date? Tell us.