French Highly skilled workers « Talent » residence permits: the new salary thresholds have been published
Santa Fe publication date
05 Septmbre 2025
Overview
Effective August 31rst, new salary requirements for certain Talent residence permits have just been updated.
Who will be affected?
All “talent – qualified workers”, and European Bleu Card -EBC holders and candidates.
Background
Big news for foreign workers in France: salary requirements for certain Talent residence permits have just been updated! After weeks of anticipation, the Ministry has finally published the decree establishing the new reference salary to be eligible to certain “talent” immigration status. It is now €39,582.
Here the new minima’s :
· Qualified Employee → €39,582
· EU Blue Card → €59,373 (1.5× the reference)
Impact
The new thresholds have an immediate impact on the applications you will submit in the future: the new thresholds will apply.
But what about EBC cases currently under review, and your employees who have already obtained their EBC card but under the old remuneration thresholds?
Reminder: under Article L.432-5 of the CESEDA (French immigration code), a foreign national who no longer meets the conditions required for their residence permit may have it withdrawn by the authorities.
While reading the decree left some doubt as to the geographical applicability of the measure, Santa Fe France immediately contacted the General Directorate of Foreigners in France from French Interior Ministry (Direction Générale des Étrangers en France) and obtained the following information:
“Article 1 of the decree covers all permits issued on the basis of articles L. 421-11 and L. 421-9 of the CESEDA.
The article extends this application to permits issued in Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy solely based on article L. 421-11 of the CESEDA, a clarification that is mandatory under article 74 of the Constitution. »
The new thresholds are therefore immediately applicable to the whole of France, and the reference to Saint Barthélémy and Saint Martin only concerns the extension of the threshold for CBE cards, due to the specific legislation applicable in these two islands.
Date of implementation
31 August 2025
Santa Fe recommendation
Employers are advised to verify the remuneration thresholds for foreign employees currently working within their entities under EBC residence permits, but also to take these new thresholds into account in their future recruitment.
Contact us
Please get in touch with us for further information or clarification:
Vincent de Graauw
Immigration Manager — France
Santa Fe Relocation
vincent.degraauw@santaferelo.com
Sarah Laalayli
Immigration Team lead
Santa Fe Relocation
sarah.laalayli@santaferelo.com
About our Immigration Services
Our distinguished immigration services oversee a substantial volume of visa applications annually, catering to a diverse array of international corporations. Our seasoned team of immigration experts and accredited migration agents are entrusted with the meticulous management of the entire immigration process on your behalf. We are committed to delivering streamlined reporting and offering comprehensive guidance on all immigration-related affairs, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for our valued clients.
