Can You Work Remotely for a Foreign Company on a French Visitor Visa?

Six months after the question was officially asked to the Interior Ministry, France has finally replied and shed some light on one of the most divisive questions among expats in France: Is remote work on the Visitor visa allowed?

France’s Visitor Visa Response

The original response, in French, can be found here. Below is the translated version:

There is no text on the right of residence for foreign nationals working from home on French territory for the benefit of the economy of another foreign country, of which the administration has no means of gaining knowledge. In principle, a residence permit for professional purposes (employed or self-employed) implies the exercise of an activity on French territory integrated into the French economy, that is to say, into the “French market”. On the other hand, a foreign national residing in France but not meeting these criteria, and who remains remunerated and pays the related taxes in his country of origin, must apply for a temporary residence permit with the mention “visitor”. If a third-country national is not an employee in France or does not carry out a professional activity in France for the benefit of a company located in the territory, the activity he carries out as part of remote work for the benefit of an employer governed by foreign law must lead to him being considered as non-active under French law. It is forbidden for the holder of this temporary residence permit to exercise in France a professional activity subject to authorization.

Our Interpretation of the Response

France does not currently have a specific “digital nomad visa” for people who want to live in France while working remotely for a company abroad. However, the government’s explanation suggests that remote work for a foreign employer is treated differently from working in France.

According to the response, if a foreign resident in France:

• works remotely for an employer located outside France,
• is not employed by a French company,
• does not provide services to the French market,
• continues receiving income and handling tax obligations in their home country

then France considers that person as professionally inactive in France for immigration purposes.

That’s exactly the promise that must be made while applying for the VLS-TS Visitor visa: not to exercise any professional activity in France.

In other words, as long as you’re not competing in the French labor market or offering services in France, then the Visitor visa is still appropriate.

There’s finally alignment between French consulates approving Visitor visas based on remote work income and the Interior Ministry’s definition of working in France.

The Catch

There’s one big catch with this statement: it’s just that, a statement. This isn’t a formal law or a new digital nomad visa. France could pass a contradictory law at any time and upend this.

This also doesn’t provide any clarification on tax law, social contributions, or labor laws. All of those would likely need a formal remote work visa to be answered.

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As always, this is not legal or tax advice. Anyone planning to move to France while continuing to work remote should confirm their specific situation with qualified immigration and tax professionals.

Questions? Comments? We’d love to hear from you in the comment section, or feel free to write us directly.

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