France Self Employed Visa

France is a popular destination for individuals who freelance to make a living; typically, they benefit from lower tax rates and special tax deductions in France, earn more than salaried employees, and experience reduced rates when setting up their business.

Citizens from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland are exempt from requiring a visa to work in France; however, now that the United Kingdom has left the EU, as a British citizen, you will have to apply for a visa to enjoy the benefits of living and working in France.

Page Contents

• Overview of the Self Employed Visa France
• What Visa Is Needed to Be Self Employed in France?
• Self Employed Visa Fees
• Self Employed Visa Processing
• Visa Categories
• Eligibility Criteria for France Long Stay Visa (VLS/TS)
• Documents Required
• How to Apply for a France Self Employed Visa
• How to Register as a Self Employed Person
• Immigration Integration Pathway
• Long Term Residence & Renewal
• French Language
• Do I Pay Taxes as a Freelancer in France?
• Post-Visa Approval Guide
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

To move to France as a freelancer, or work remotely in France for a limited time, there is no digital nomad visa available and you will have to apply for a long stay visa equivalent, known as an “Entrepreneur/Profession Libérale” VLS/TS residence permit.

When you arrive in France, you will have to have your visa converted into a residence permit. Upon arrival, it is essential that you have booked an appointment to have your visa validated within 15 days; you must also register your activities as a freelancer as soon as you arrive.

When applying for your visa, if you are not looking to stay in France beyond one year, you can alternatively choose between a 90-day non-renewable short stay visa and a one-year non-renewable visa instead of the VLS/TS residence permit.

Provided you follow the VLS/TS visa and residence permit process correctly, this Self Employment visa may lead you to eventually being eligible for French citizenship.

You will have to live in France under this self employment status for a minimum of five years and complete any required integration training before either applying for a ten-year residence permit or submitting a French citizenship request.

France Self-Employed Visa Fees

The long-stay D entry visa into France costs €99. You may also need to pay a service fee at the consulate or visa application centre. The service fee varies depending on your country but may not exceed €40.

When applying online for your visa validation after arriving in France, you must pay a €200 tax to the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) and a stamp duty fee of €25 to obtain your resident permit.

France Self-Employed Visa Processing Time

The France Self-employed visa generally takes 15 days to process. However, it can take up to two months, depending on the volume of applications at the consulate and if your submission requires further review.

Visa Types and Categories

Several categories of visa options are available for self-employed individuals, catering to different needs, professions, and industries. Here’s a detailed look at the most relevant visas for those looking to work independently in France.

Entrepreneur Visa

The Entrepreneur/Profession Liberale visa is the primary visa for self-employed individuals migrating to France. It allows entrepreneurs to establish an economically viable commercial, industrial, artisanal, or agricultural business. It is also suited for those who intend to engage in a liberal profession or a business activity that has already been created.

Talent Passport

The Talent Passport is designed for both self-employed individuals and highly qualified employees whose business activity can help develop France’s economic attractiveness. As an entrepreneur who intends to apply for the Talent Passport, you can do so in either of the following ways:

• Create or run a business: You can create a new business in France or take control of an existing one if you hold a master’s degree (or its equivalent) or five years of professional experience and invest at least €30,000 in the project. You can apply for a long-stay visa bearing the name Talent passport – Business creator.
• Make a direct investment: If you invest directly in a French company that will provide a lasting interest, you can get the Talent passport – Economic investor visa. Your investment can include social capital, reinvested earnings, and inter-affiliate loans.
• Engage in an innovative project: You can apply for the Talent passport – Innovative economic project if you can prove that you intend to develop an innovative economic project in France that an approved public body has recognised.
• Take up a corporate appointment: If you intend to work in the French branch of your overseas business, you can obtain the Talent passport – Social agent (Skilled residence permit -Company representative). To be eligible for the visa, you must be able to act as a legal representative in France on behalf of the business and earn at least three times the wage of a full-time French worker.

Self-Employment in Regulated Professions

Certain professions, such as architects, lawyers, and medical professionals, are regulated in France. Regulated professions are those where the government oversees the qualifications and activities to ensure public safety and professional standards.

If your company’s activity or liberal profession is on the list of regulated professions, you must meet additional qualifications, such as having a particular diploma or passing an exam. You may also need to obtain the necessary authorisations from the relevant government bodies before you can practice in France.

Common Challenges and Practical Solutions for Self-employed Individuals in France

Moving to France as a self-employed or liberal professional can be exciting, but you might encounter certain challenges. Here are some of the common challenges and solutions to navigate them.

Finding Affordable Housing

The search for affordable housing can be daunting, especially in popular cities like Paris, where demand often exceeds supply. If you are on a tight budget, consider smaller cities like Marseille or Lyon.

Besides the cost of a rental property, include utility bills, maintenance costs, and internet charges in your budget. You should expand your search beyond the city centre and look into specific areas still in their developmental phase. If you are open to shared accommodation, that can also reduce your monthly rent.

Understanding Local Regulations

As an entrepreneur in France, there are certain regulatory requirements, such as business permits, licences, taxes, and labour laws, that you must be familiar with to operate legally in the country.

These regulations can sometimes be a hurdle to navigate. However, our lawyers at Total Law are experts in France’s local business regulations and employment laws and can provide you with insights to ensure compliance. Call us at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to speak with a lawyer.

Navigating Visa Renewal Process

The France self-employed visa is usually valid for one year, and failing to renew it after expiration can make staying in the country, accessing healthcare, and conducting business activities difficult. Overstaying your visa could also lead to fines, restrictions on future visa applications, or even deportation from the country.

Additionally, the visa renewal process can be complex, with specific documentation requirements and, sometimes, a lengthy processing time. As such, it’s crucial to start the renewal process well in advance of your visa’s expiration date. You should also seek help from an immigration lawyer to navigate the process.

Dealing with Language Barriers

A common challenge many non-French speakers face when migrating to France is the language barrier. This can impact various aspects of daily life, including navigating administrative processes, building professional relationships, and socialising.

To overcome this challenge, consider enrolling in French courses to improve your language skills. You can also use language learning apps and platforms for self-study. Furthermore, get acquainted with local speakers who can help you practice your French.

To apply for your Profession Liberale visa, you will have to submit the following documents:

• Your passport, which must be valid for three months after your French visa would be due to expire
• Three photos meeting the passport requirements
• A completed Long Stay visa application form
• All documents required to justify your professional activity, for example, diplomas, professional experience or qualifications
• Evidence of authorisation from the governing body of your freelancing activities, if you require specific authorisation
• Evidence that your freelance job earns at least the minimum wage in France, which could be invoices, bank statements, or receipts of previous client agreements
• Proof of health insurance during your stay in France
• Payment for the application fee, which is €99
• A certificate to show you have a clean criminal record

Any documents not in French must be officially translated into French and notarised.

To begin the process of applying for a French Self Employment visa, you must first check and obtain the required authorisation for your profession.

Next, you must gather all your required documents and apply for your Profession Liberale visa online on the French government website.

You can expect to wait up to two months to receive a decision on your visa. If your application is successful, you will need to:

• Convert your Self Employment visa into a residence permit upon arrival in the country
• Register as a self employed person as soon as you arrive in France
• Book an appointment to validate your visa within 15 days of your arrival in France
• Validate your visa within three months of your arrival to receive your residence permit

Visa Renewal and Long-Term Residency

You must apply for a visa renewal if you intend to continue living and working in France beyond your visa’s initial validity period. You should begin the renewal process two months before your current permit expires to ensure sufficient time for processing.

To renew your visa, visit the local prefecture and complete the renewal application form. You’ll also need to provide certain documents, including evidence of your ongoing business activity, proof that your business provides you with a stable income to support yourself, your residence permit, and your address in France.

After 5 years of continuous residence in France, you can apply for long-term residence or citizenship. To apply for long-term residence, you must show that you have adequate funds to support yourself, have health insurance coverage, and are proficient in French up to an A2 level. If your application is successful, you will receive a long-term residence card valid for ten years and renewable.

If you choose to apply for citizenship, you must meet similar requirements for long-term residence, but your proficiency in French must be at a B1 level. As part of your application, you must attend an interview in French to prove that you have integrated with the French culture.

You must register as a self employed person; this can either be done by completing an online application form and sending it to the relevant person by post, or by completing the process online through the entrepreneur French website.

You will have to declare your activity and submit any required documents. Within two weeks you will receive your social security registration and a unique SIRET number. Once you receive this, you will be able to start invoicing clients, declaring turnover, and paying taxes and social contributions.

When you arrive in France and you convert your long stay visa into a residence permit, you will have to have an appointment with the French Office of Immigration and Integra. They will facilitate your integration into French culture following your immigration.

The office’s primary objectives are to facilitate any training to support your integration, provide French language courses if necessary, and check you are medically healthy on arrival. Unless you were already in France under a different visa, you will need a medical appointment for the profession libérale visa.

Once these three criteria are met, your residence permit will be validated; if you are looking to more permanently settle in France, you will have to complete the training and accept the values of the French Republic.

You do not need to evidence your French language level in order to apply for a freelance visa; however, when you have your integration interview, you will have a French assessment test. If you already have a French diploma, you can take this to your interview and it may exempt you from taking the test.

The interviewer will evaluate your French level and decide how many hours of French lessons you require; this could vary between 50 to 200 hours of French classes. Evidence that you have completed your courses, alongside any other required civic classes, will be needed if you wish to renew your residence permit.

Freelancers in France are responsible for declaring their income to the French government and paying taxes. Your contributions will include employment taxes, social security contributions, and VAT charges.

You do not need to report your income or pay any taxes until you have been working for three months and, as a freelancer in France, you will benefit from tax deductions depending on your industry. In some cases, these tax deductions can be up to 71%.

You will have to make social security contributions if you have earnt income and are between 12.8% and 22.2%, again, depending on your industry. Your social security contributions will cover different things versus salaried employees, and you may still need to rely on insurance for things like workplace accidents.

With respect to VAT, self-employed businesses are exempt from VAT if their turnover is between €34,400 and €85,800, depending on the business activity. Any turnovers above the threshold are mostly charged at 20%.