France Eases EU Blue Card Rules: What It Means for Foreign Professionals

France has significantly reformed the rules for obtaining the EU Blue Card. Starting May 2, 2025, new regulations came into effect aimed at easing the entry and employment of qualified professionals from outside the EU, Financial Express reports. The reforms simplify requirements related to experience, contracts, and mobility.

What is the EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit designed to attract highly qualified professionals from non-EU countries. First introduced in 2009 and reformed in 2021, the program aims to simplify administrative procedures and open European labor markets to global talent.

In France, the Blue Card is issued as a long-term residence permit under the name "Passeport Talent – Carte bleue européenne", and is available to those who meet the following criteria:

A valid job contract with a French employer for a minimum of 6 months;

A gross annual salary equal to at least 1.5 times the average wage in France;

Proof of qualification, either through a university diploma (minimum three years of studies) or relevant professional experience, if permitted by French law.

The EU Blue Card grants residence and work rights, family reunification, the ability to change employers (under certain conditions), and paves the way for long-term residency in the EU.

Key Changes Introduced
France now recognizes professional experience as equivalent to a university degree. Applicants with at least three years of relevant experience in the last seven years are now eligible, though this rule applies to a specific list of professions set by government decree.

Other major changes include:
- Reduced minimum contract length from 12 to 6 months;
- Holders of a Blue Card issued by another EU country may now enter France visa-free after 12 months of residence in that country;
- For shorter contracts (under two years), the card is issued for three months longer than the contract term, up to a maximum of 24 months;

Time spent under other residence statuses (e.g., researcher or humanitarian protection) may now count toward the five-year residency period required for a long-term EU residence permit, if permitted by French law.

Summary of Key Reforms:
- Professional experience can substitute for a degree (minimum 3 years of experience in the last 7);
- Minimum contract term reduced to 6 months;
- Visa-free entry to France with a Blue Card from another EU country after 12 months;
- Card validity extended beyond contract period by 3 months (previously tied strictly to the job duration);

More flexible path to long-term EU residency, with other types of legal stay now counting toward the five-year requirement.

Expert Opinions

The reform has received positive feedback from immigration experts and employers. According to Fragomen analysts, the recognition of experience in place of formal education opens new opportunities for global talent, especially in IT, biotech, and engineering sectors.

Legal firm Newland Chase highlighted the enhanced mobility within the EU, making it easier for talent to relocate to France from other EU countries.

Jobbatical, a platform specializing in cross-border hiring, noted that the changes give French employers greater flexibility to hire skilled workers without being hindered by bureaucratic constraints.