France – EU Blue Card: New Directive Adopted into French Law

Employment Contract Duration

Previously, obtaining the "Talent – Carte bleue européenne" required a minimum employment contract of 12 months.  As of 2 May 2025, this minimum duration is reduced to six months, making the card accessible to a wider range of applicants on shorter contracts.

Remuneration Thresholds

The gross annual remuneration threshold remains temporarily set at EUR 53,836.50, as defined by the Conseil d’État decree of 28 October 2016.²  A new decree is expected to update this amount.

Expanded Qualification Conditions

The qualification criteria have been expanded.  In addition to require a diploma of at least three years of higher education or five years of equivalent professional experience, applicants may now qualify by demonstrating at least three years of relevant professional experience within the last seven years, related to the targeted profession.  The exact conditions, especially regarding the profession, will be defined by a future Conseil d’État decree.

Length of Validity of the Card

The validity of the card is now more closely aligned with the length of the employment contract.  If the contract duration is shorter than two years, the residence permit will be valid for the duration of the contract plus three months, up to a maximum of two years.  If the contract duration is longer than two years, the permit will be valid for four years.

Intra-EU Mobility for European Blue Card Holders

Intra-European mobility rules have been relaxed.  After a legal residence period of 12 months in the first member state (reduced from the previous 18 months), holders of EU Blue Cards can now more easily move to another member state to take up a highly-skilled job.  The law further provides that a second long-term move to a third EU country is possible after six months of residence in the second country within the European Union (CESEDA, Art. L. 421-11).

Simplified Access to Long-Term Resident Status

Access requirements to EU long-term resident status have been eased.  As such, a 10-year residence permit “resident longue durée – UE” may now be granted to applicants who have resided legally and continuously for three years in an EU member state under a Blue Card, researcher, student, or international protection status, followed by two years under the “Talent – Carte bleue européenne” status in France.

Refusal or Withdrawal of the European Blue Card Despite Eligibility

New grounds for refusal have been introduced, even if the applicant meets all eligibility criteria.  Going forward, applications for the issuance or renewal of a multi-year residence permit bearing the label “Talent – Carte bleue européenne”:

• may be refused if the employer’s company was created or operates mainly to facilitate the entry of third-country nationals;
• may be refused or the permit withdrawn if the employer fails to comply with legal obligations related to social security, taxation, workers’ rights, or working conditions, or if the employer has been convicted of illegal employment as defined in Article L. 8211-1 of the French Labour Code.

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