Overview
Officially known as the Passeport Talent — Investisseur Économique Direct residence permit route, it was established under French law (Loi n° 2016-274) to attract international investors. A direct investment of at least €300,000 in an eligible company operating in France — maintained for a minimum of five years — grants investors and their families the right to live, work and move freely in France and the Schengen Area. The programme is not new or experimental; it is built on an established French legal framework.
Benefits of Investing in France
Live in France and travel freely throughout the European Union and the Schengen Area; no language requirement applies to the residence permit.
The permit grants the right to work in France and to establish and operate a company; spouses and dependent children are included in the same application.
Access to France’s universal healthcare system for the entire family, as well as leading institutions such as HEC, ESSEC, Sciences Po and Sorbonne University.
Who Is Eligible for a French Residence Permit?
INVESTOR
Main applicants aged 18 or over
Open to all nationalities, subject to standard regulatory and compliance checks
SPOUSE
The main applicant’s legally married spouse or partner
CHILDREN
Dependent children of the main applicant or spouse
PARENTS
The eligibility of dependent parents must be confirmed with the legal team
French Residence Permit Requirements
The investor must make a direct investment of at least €300,000 in an operating company in France. The investment must contribute to the French economy and employment, undergo economic substance and compliance review, and be maintained for at least five years . Purely passive real estate investment does not qualify.
Key Information
LOCATION
Located in Western Europe, with coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea.
CAPITAL
Paris
TIME ZONE
UTC+1 (OAS) · Yaz UTC+2 (OAYS)
TOTAL AREA
551.695 km² (Kıta Fransası) km2
LANGUAGE
Fransızca
CURRENCY
Euro (€, EUR)
Why France?
Global Standing
One of the world’s largest economies and Europe’s leading destination for foreign direct investment; ranked No. 1 in Europe for industrial FDI projects.
Powerful Passport and Mobility
The French passport ranks among the world’s top five; if citizenship is acquired, it provides visa-free access to approximately 180 destinations, along with full EU and Schengen rights.
France 2030 Support
A €54 billion national investment programme supporting companies active in innovation and strategic sectors. It offers investors long-term growth potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is France’s leading statutory residence route for investors, established under Loi n° 2016-274 to enhance France’s appeal to international investors. It provides a renewable four-year residence permit in exchange for an eligible direct investment in a company operating in France.
A direct investment of at least €300,000 in a company operating in France; the investment must be maintained for at least five years, contribute to the French economy and employment, and undergo full source-of-funds verification.
A renewable four-year residence permit; full family inclusion; the right to work, establish and operate a business; and no requirement to reside in France. No language requirement applies to the residence permit.
Operating companies in France — not passive funds or passive real estate. Target sectors include luxury and heritage, healthcare and life sciences, industrial SMEs, advanced manufacturing, technology and strategic French brands. Founded in 1690 and awarded the EPV (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant) label, French luxury house ODIOT is one example of an opportunity combining heritage and industrial value for which funding has been secured.
Approximately one to three months from initiation to issuance of the residence permit card, depending on the applicant profile, jurisdiction and consular procedures. The stages are: investor onboarding, secure escrow, compliance review (KYC/AML and source of funds), Visa D application, deployment of the investment and issuance of the residence permit card.
No. You may retain your residence permit without becoming a French tax resident or living in France full-time.
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children are included in the same application and gain access to French healthcare and education services.
For investors who have completed university education in France, the qualifying period to apply for citizenship is three years, provided they meet the applicable requirements.
Funds are held in secure, lawyer-supervised CARPA escrow accounts, and no capital is released until approval of your residence permit has been confirmed. Governance and financial controls are overseen by KPMG Avocats; every applicant undergoes full due diligence, including identity, source-of-funds, sanctions/PEP and AML/CFT checks.