The Passeport Talent (Talent Residence Permit from March 2024) is a special category of visas in France, designed to attract entrepreneurs and qualified specialists, scientific researchers and artists. This is a multi-year residence permit that allows you to live and work in France for 4 years. It opens the way for talented people from outside the EU, allowing them to develop their business projects and research in France.
France is the third most popular destination for international students after the UK and the USA. It has 83 public universities, about 200 engineering schools, 200 schools of economics and management, 120 public higher schools of art and 20 schools of architecture.
In this article we will tell you how foreigners may obtain citizenship in France, who can apply for the country's passport and how to avoid being refused the desired document.
As of May 2025, the French real estate market is showing signs of a gradual recovery after a two-year recession caused by rising interest rates, inflation, and declining purchasing power.
In France, there are no restrictions for foreign citizens to purchase real estate. The purchase process is identical for residents and non-residents. Foreigners can buy real estate in France on the same terms as citizens. It is possible to purchase residential and commercial properties for an individual or a legal entity.
France does not offer a "Golden Visa" program in the same way that some other countries do, such as Portugal, Spain, or Greece, which provide residency permits to non-EU investors in exchange for significant financial investment in real estate or business.
Public utilities in France are similar to the rest of the EU in terms of the real estate taxation, utility bills and other living expenses. In comparison to other European countries, the cost of living in France is higher than in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, but at the same time, much lower than the cost of living in Northern Europe and Scandinavia.
France is a country with a high level of well-being of the population. The social support system is one of the most humane in the European Union. The country prioritises the economic well-being of its citizens. A progressive taxation system helps ensure social stability and financial security.
The mortgage market in France is known as one of the most secure and stable in Europe and the world. The banking system of this country controls the fulfilment of the obligations of creditors and borrowers to each other and prevents property bubbles. Even during the global crises of 2008 and 2014, there were no dramatic increases of interest rates and the number of debtors.
In 2024, demand for overseas real estate remained robust, sustaining the high levels seen in 2023 while evolving in both geographic distribution and transaction structure.
Paris has historically been considered one of the most reliable cities in the world for saving capital in real estate. Its stable market, limited land supply and high demand levels make investing in Parisian real estate not only a way to preserve assets, but also an opportunity for long-term capital growth.
Currently, one of the most popular ways to obtain a French residence permit is through the Passeport Talent by launching an innovative project. This type of residence permit is issued for four years, allows the applicant to relocate their family to France, and provides the opportunity to earn income from the established startup.
The Paris real estate market is traditionally considered one of the most promising in the EU for generating income. Every year, the capital of luxury and fashion attracts approximately 50 million tourists, while universities draw thousands of international students from around the world.
Foreign citizens in France can get income in many ways: renting out real estate, earning interest on bank deposits, starting a business, or working as an employee. All these income sources are subject to corporate tax payable to the French administration.
Owning property in France and getting a profit from it by renting is related to a number of rules and obligations to the administrative tax system of the state. Private property in France is reliably protected by law. If you are a non-resident, but have property in France, you need to pay property taxes, as well as income tax on profits from your property.