What is the change?
The French government has released Decree No. 2025-539 of 13 June 2025, published in the Journal Official on 15 June 2025, introducing substantial regulatory clarifications and new procedural safeguards concerning residence permits for foreign nationals.
Key points
Merger of the “Talent” cards codified in the law
The “Talent – Qualified Employee” category includes young graduates in France, foreign employees on intra group assignment, and employees of a young innovative company;
The “Talent Project Holder” category includes investors, innovative project, new business set-up.
Updated Salary Thresholds
- The “Talent – Qualified Employee” salary criteria is no longer calculated on the French minimum wage (SMIC) and is now equal to the gross annual reference salary, set at €35,891. This new salary threshold is much lower than the previous one and makes this immigration status even more attractive;
- The “Talent – EU blue card” salary remains unchanged, set at 1.5 times the gross annual reference salary, i.e. €53 836,50.
A reassessment of the gross annual reference salary should take place in the coming months.
Condition
The “Talent Job Search – Business Set Up” applicant under Student permit must have obtained the Master’s degree within the past 12 months.
Reduced processing time for “Talent – EU blue card” applicants
- The applications of accompanying family members that were filed simultaneously with the main applicant’s will be processed within the same timeframe of 90 days from complete submission and concurrent decision should occur.
- A 30-day instruction applies for “Talent – EU blue card” holders wishing to settle in France, aiming at facilitating the intra EU mobility.
Set up of the “Talent Medical and Pharmacy Professions” permit