“France Relaxes EU Blue Card Rules – What It Means”

As of May 2, 2025, France has made it easier for highly skilled non-EU professionals to apply for the EU Blue Card, a permit that allows them to live and work in the EU. The goal is to attract more international talent by easing eligibility requirements.

🔑 Key Changes:

1. Less Experience Needed to Qualify
   • Before: You needed a university degree or 5 years of professional experience.
   • Now: Just 3 years of relevant work experience is enough—even without a degree.
2. Shorter Job Contract Now Accepted
   • Before: Your job offer needed to be at least 12 months
   • Now: A 6-month contract is sufficient.
3. Easier to Move Between EU Countries
   • If someone has held a Blue Card and lived in another EU country for at least 12 months, they can now enter France without applying for a new visa.
4. Extra Time to Find a New Job
   • If a job contract is less than 2 years and it ends, the worker gets 3 months to find a new job or renew the contract, instead of having to leave immediately.   

Example 1: IT Specialist Without a University Degree

A software developer from outside the EU has worked in tech companies for 3 years after finishing high school but never went to university. They get a 7-month job offer from a company in Paris.

• Before the new rules: They wouldn’t qualify—no degree and not enough years of experience.
• Now: They qualify! Their 3 years of experience and 7-month contract are enough for a Blue Card.

Example 2: Postgraduate Student in Germany Moving to France

A non-EU student completes a Master’s in Germany and gets a job there on the EU Blue Card. After working for 13 months, they get a better offer from a company in France.

• Before the new rules: They would need to apply for a new visa to enter and work in France.
• Now: Since they’ve lived in another EU country with a Blue Card for over 12 months, they can move to France directly without needing a new visa first.

Example 3: Job Ends Early – No Panic

A Blue Card holder working in France on an 18-month contract loses their job after 15 months.

• Before the new rules: Their stay might become uncertain, and they’d have to leave soon or rush to get a new job.
• Now: They get a 3-month grace period to look for a new job or extend their permit—providing more stability and flexibility.

Example 4: Fresh Graduate with Internship Experience

An international student finishes a Bachelor’s degree in France and did internships for 3 years in marketing during and after their studies. A company offers them a 6-month digital marketing job.

• Before: They might not qualify for a Blue Card due to a short contract and lack of long-term experience.
• Now: Their 3 years of relevant experience, even through internships, can count, and a 6-month job qualifies them for the Blue Card.

Impact on International Students:

More Opportunities After Graduation
Students with work experience (including internships or post-study jobs) can now apply even without a full degree, making it easier to stay and work in France.

Greater Flexibility in Job Offers
A shorter job contract (6 months) is now acceptable, so students don’t have to wait for long-term offers to apply for a Blue Card.

Easier to Move Within the EU
If a student works in another EU country after graduation, they can more easily relocate to France for work without repeating the visa process.

Safety Net if Job Ends
If their job ends early, they have 3 months to find a new one, reducing the pressure and risk of losing residence status quickly.

Final Thought:

This change opens doors for international students and professionals who want to build careers in France or Europe. It’s now easier, faster, and more flexible to get work authorization and stay legally in the EU.