On August 29, 2025, a decree from the Ministry of the Interior published in the Official Journal of the French Republic set the new gross annual salary required to obtain the multi-year Talent Passport – Skilled Employee residence permit.
This residence permit is an essential lever for companies wishing to attract and retain highly qualified international talent. However, it now requires employers to comply with a specific remuneration threshold.
1. A new threshold set at €39,582 gross per annum
From now on, in order for a foreign employee to be eligible for the “Talent Passport – Skilled Employee” permit, they must provide proof of gross annual remuneration of at least €39,582.
This amount is a mandatory requirement and applies to employment contracts with a duration of more than three months.
2. Categories of employees concerned
The “Talent Passport – Skilled Employee” card can be issued in three situations:
Salaried activity: the employee must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent recognized abroad) in France and have an employment contract providing for remuneration in line with the threshold set.
Employee of an innovative company: the employee is recruited by a young innovative company or by a company recognized as innovative by the Ministry of Economy. Their duties must be directly related to a research and development project.Employee on assignment: the employee is sent to France by a foreign company to work as an employee as part of an intra-group transfer (between establishments within the same group), with at least three months' seniority and a contract in France that meets the remuneration threshold.
3. Practical implications for employers
Anticipating international recruitment
Human resources and legal departments must incorporate this new threshold into their strategy for hiring foreign talent. Any contract below €39,582 gross per annum will result in a refusal of a residence permit.
Adapting salary scales
Companies wishing to attract qualified international candidates must review their remuneration levels to ensure compliance with regulations and guarantee the issuance of the permit.
Secure administrative procedures
Failure to comply with the threshold may result in administrative delays and hinder the employee's integration. It is therefore essential to prepare the necessary documentation in advance, with the help of specialized legal advice.
4. Why raise the threshold?
The increase to €39,582 gross per annum reflects a desire to:
Enhance France's attractiveness to foreign talent by targeting highly qualified profiles.
Harmonize the criteria applicable to the various components of the Talent Passport.Ensure greater legal certainty for employers and foreign employees by setting a clear and uniform threshold.
5. Support for employers
At FB Avocat, we assist many French and international companies with their Talent Passport – Skilled Employee procedures:Analysis of eligible profiles,
Verification of employment contracts and compliance with the remuneration threshold,Preparation and follow-up of files with the administration,Management of renewals and any disputes.
In summary
The Talent Passport – Skilled Employee remains a strategic tool for French employers wishing to strengthen their competitiveness by recruiting international talent. However, obtaining it is now conditional on a minimum gross annual salary of €39,582.
Plan your recruitment in advance, adjust your salary scales, and secure your procedures to avoid any administrative refusals.
FB Avocat – Offices in Bordeaux, Paris, and Dakar
