France

Before you apply

• France has NO dedicated digital nomad visa. The old workaround — living on a 'visitor' visa while working remotely — was closed in June 2025: the French tax authority (DGFiP) confirmed that on a visitor visa you may not work, even freelance, even for a foreign company. Profession Libérale is the correct legal route.
• This is a real self-employment visa, not a light nomad permit: you must register a French business, join the French social-security system (URSSAF) and pay its contributions, and submit a viable business plan. Weak or unrealistic plans are a leading reason for refusal.
• You may serve French clients (you're registered locally) — but that also means full French tax and social charges apply to your activity.
• High-tax country: residents (over 183 days) are taxed on worldwide income on a progressive scale up to 45%, PLUS mandatory URSSAF social contributions. Budget for both, not just income tax.
• Apply from your home country or country of legal residence — switching to this status from inside France is limited. Validate the visa online within 3 months of arrival.
• Income proof is about the French minimum wage: roughly €1,820/month (~€21,876/year gross). Fees: €269 for the visa plus about €200 on validation.
• Ukrainians already in the EU under temporary protection can live and work in France WITHOUT this visa — compare that route before applying. The visa leads toward long-term residence and naturalisation after about 5 years.