France residence permit via a startup

How the program works

A company is registered for the applicant with a business plan and co-founders straight away for 3-4 years - a genuine business idea is required. The applicant is set up as a shareholder of the company.

• The company has to genuinely operate: without activity the prefecture will refuse to renew the permit
• On this permit you can work in France and travel visa-free across the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180

Taxes in France

Income tax rates in France are progressive - from 0% to 45%.

Two routes through your own business

The talent routes are covered in detail on the French startup visa page; this page is about the entrepreneur card for an ordinary, not necessarily innovative, business. We choose the route based on your experience, capital and level of French.

What is checked in 2026

An assessment of the project's economic viability is mandatory, and an order of 13 May 2026 set the list of documents for it. The prefecture checks whether turnover brings in at least the full-time minimum wage: in June 2026 that is €1,867.02 gross a month, about $2,100. At renewal the prefecture looks at actual turnover, not the forecast. Registering a company does not by itself give the right to live in France: without the entrepreneur card the trade register extract decides nothing.

Documents

1. Passport and photos.
2. A business plan with turnover and income forecasts for the first years.
3. Documents on the company or activity registered in France.
4. Proof of funds for the start and for living.
5. A lease or other proof of housing in France.
6. Health insurance.
7. A police certificate if the consulate requests it.
8. At renewal - accounts, turnover and income for the past year.

Cost by item

• long-stay visa fee - €99, about $112;
• the tax for issuing the card in France;
• company registration, accounting and insurance;
• translation and legalisation of documents.

Our manager calculates the cost of our support in the chat.

How to get approved the first time

• the project does not prove viability: no clients, contracts or realistic forecast;
• forecast income below the minimum wage;
• at renewal the company has no turnover or income;
• the company is registered but has no activity in France.

Comparison with other European countries

France is stricter on business income, but the entrepreneur card suits an ordinary business with no innovation requirement.

What changed on 1 January 2026: language

Since 1 January 2026 the first multi-year card requires French at a basic level, the second of six on the European scale. The 10-year resident card requires the threshold level, the third of six, and citizenship requires the upper-intermediate level, the fourth. So an entrepreneur should study the language from the first year: without it, no multi-year card is issued after the first one-year card. Talent cards have no language requirement, so if your French is still weak, the talent route with an investment from €30,000 may be more convenient.

Timelines and steps

1. Preparing the business plan and documents for the viability assessment.
2. Applying for a long-stay entrepreneur visa at a French consulate.
3. Entry, registering the company or activity, opening an account.
4. Receiving the one-year entrepreneur card.
5. Renewal to a multi-year card with turnover and income at least at the minimum wage and basic French.

Advantages of a residence permit through a startup

How to get a residence permit through a startup

FAQ