Professional purpose
Engaging in a professional activity in France is subject to different formalities depending on your situation, whether you are self-employed, an employee, your business and the length of your stay.
As a self-employed person, you can:
- Come to France for business to meet your commercial and professional obligations;
- You want to start or take part in a self-employed activity or in a liberal activity.
As an employee, you can:
- Be posted by your employer to provide a service;
- Take part in intra-group mobility while remaining contractually attached to your employer as an ICT (Intra Corporate Transferee) or have a local contract with the French company that is hosting you;
- You have been hired for a fixed period or an indefinite period by a French employer. This may be a seasonal contract;
- Following a professional course in a training organisation or a company.
Important: Certain professions (doctors, teachers, etc.) must meet certain conditions before they can engage in their activity.
If you are developing France’s economic attractiveness as an employee or a self-employed person i.e. an "international talent", you can also arrange for your family to accompany you for a long stay in France.
Special and more favourable provisions are in place for young employees.
Useful links:
- Business France : the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy;
- Welcome to France : platform for overseas workers in France.