Important Updates
Important Updates
October 24, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: What Employers and Foreign Nationals Need to Know about the New H-1B Fee
October 27, 2025 | ChinaChina: Shanghai Launches New Overseas Talent Residence Permit
October 27, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Ukraine: Temporary Protection Status - Country-Specific Updates
October 24, 2025 | United StatesBloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee
October 24, 2025 | PeruPeru: Technical Issues Affecting Online Visa Renewal Applications
October 24, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: What Employers and Foreign Nationals Need to Know about the New H-1B Fee
October 27, 2025 | ChinaChina: Shanghai Launches New Overseas Talent Residence Permit
October 27, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Ukraine: Temporary Protection Status - Country-Specific Updates
October 24, 2025 | United StatesBloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee
October 24, 2025 | PeruPeru: Technical Issues Affecting Online Visa Renewal Applications
October 24, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: What Employers and Foreign Nationals Need to Know about the New H-1B Fee
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationFragomen Consulting EuropeImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

France: EU Blue Card Rules Relaxed

May 13, 2025

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • FranceFrance

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • France has introduced more relaxed EU Blue Card rules. Key changes include, among others:
    • new professional experience eligibility criteria;
    • reduced mandatory employment contract durations; and
    • relaxed intra-EU mobility rules.
  • These reforms are part of France implementing the requirements of the 2021 EU Blue Card Directive.

The situation

Effective May 2, 2025, France has introduced more relaxed EU Blue Card rules.

A closer look

DETAILS IMPACT

Expanded professional experience eligibility. Applicants who have at least three years of relevant professional experience (acquired in the previous seven years) are now eligible for a French EU Blue Card, even if they lack relevant educational qualifications. This pathway will only be available to certain roles – to be defined in a future decree of the Council of State.

Previously, the French EU Blue Card status was only open to applicants with either a three-year higher education degree or five years of relevant professional experience.

Employers will be able to hire highly skilled talent from a wider pool of applicants. This is particularly pertinent given current labor shortages in France. 

Reduced work contract durations. Employment contracts now only need to be six months in duration, down from the previous 12-month minimum.

Although this change grants employers more flexibility when hiring highly skilled foreign workers, the practical impact may be less significant than first impressions suggest as highly skilled workers in France tend to be hired under permanent contracts.

Relaxed intra-EU mobility rules. Holders of a non-French EU Blue Card who have resided for at least 12 months in another EU Member State can now enter France without a separate visa – though within at least one month of arriving in France, the foreign national must apply for a French EU Blue Card. Previously, this right of entry only applied after 18 months’ residence in the other EU Member State. 

Additionally, where such individuals have resided in a second EU Member State for six months (after 12 months in a first EU Member State), they can now enter France without a separate visa. The same one-month deadline to apply for a French EU Blue Card remains. 

EU Blue Card holders will be able to move to France from another EU Member State more easily, providing employers more flexibility to move talent permanently to France.

Affected applicants should contact their immigration professional for case-by-case advice, especially as delays at prefecture offices may sometimes hinder individuals from obtaining a right to work upon arrival.

Increased visa duration for short-term contracts. Where the associated employment contract is less than two years in duration, EU Blue Cards now have a validity period of three months longer than the contract – up to a maximum of 24 months. Previously, the visa duration could not be longer than the associated contract.

As was the case previously, where the associated employment contract is two years or more in duration, the EU Blue Card validity period will continue to align with the contract duration (up to a maximum of four years).

 

The extended validity of three months allows them to maintain their right to stay and work in France while taking renewal actions or looking for a new job. 

For permits valid for less than two years, increased diligence is needed regarding visa validity periods, since such foreign nationals cannot assume that their remaining legal status equals their work contract duration.

EU Long-term Residence Permit. It is now easier for EU Blue Card holders to accrue the five-years of residence necessary to be eligible for the 10-year EU Long-term Residence Permit.

Previously, time spent in other EU Member States on anything other than an EU Blue Card did not accrue to the five year total; now time spent on certain other types of residence permit (listed in the French Code) also accrues.

Given that Long-term Residence Permit holders now enjoy the ability to settle and work in France more easily, this is likely to increase talent retention in the country. 

Background

In 2021, the European Union issued a directive seeking to update the existing EU Blue Card scheme (which dated back to 2009). The Blue Card scheme has sought to establish an attractive EU-wide immigration option for highly skilled professionals. However, the 2009 iteration suffered from fragmented and inconsistent transposition at national levels.

In 2023, France issue 12,647 EU Blue Card permits, with 8,616 for principal permit holders and 4,031 going to dependents.

Looking ahead

The deadline for national transposition of the revised EU Blue Card Directive was November 18, 2023, with many EU Member States domestically implementing the Directive after this deadline. Additionally, some EU Member States have not yet domestically implemented the Directive. It is expected that further instances of domestic implementation will occur across 2025. We will report on related developments.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • FranceFrance

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee

Partner Carl Hampe provides insight on the impact of the $100,000 H-1B fee and the US Chamber of Commerce’s related lawsuit.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2025 FEM EMEA β€œBest Partnership” EMMA for Collaboration with TBB

Fragomen was honoured with the β€œBest Partnership Between a Corporate Organization and a Service Provider” EMMA at FEM's 2025 EMEA Summit.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Flags Immigration Crackdown as Risk to Food Supply

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how H-2A visa strategies can help sustain a skilled US agricultural workforce.

Learn more

Blog post

Intra-African Mobility: Unlocking the Continent’s Promise Through Free Movement

Director Willys Mac’Olale discusses how intra-African mobility can unlock the continent’s economic and social potential by promoting free movement, fostering integration and development.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana MartΓ­nez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Contributes to Migration Observatory Report on Gender and Migration in the UK

Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship Rules Under Review: What the Proposed Amendments Mean

Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Learn more

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must β€˜Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee

Partner Carl Hampe provides insight on the impact of the $100,000 H-1B fee and the US Chamber of Commerce’s related lawsuit.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2025 FEM EMEA β€œBest Partnership” EMMA for Collaboration with TBB

Fragomen was honoured with the β€œBest Partnership Between a Corporate Organization and a Service Provider” EMMA at FEM's 2025 EMEA Summit.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Flags Immigration Crackdown as Risk to Food Supply

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how H-2A visa strategies can help sustain a skilled US agricultural workforce.

Learn more

Blog post

Intra-African Mobility: Unlocking the Continent’s Promise Through Free Movement

Director Willys Mac’Olale discusses how intra-African mobility can unlock the continent’s economic and social potential by promoting free movement, fostering integration and development.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana MartΓ­nez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Contributes to Migration Observatory Report on Gender and Migration in the UK

Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship Rules Under Review: What the Proposed Amendments Mean

Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Learn more

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must β€˜Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Β© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.