France has clarified this week that holders of its Long-Term Visitor Visa (VLS-TS) may now work remotely, effectively converting an existing 3-to-12-month visa into the country's first functional digital nomad permit. The French Ministry of the Interior published a formal response confirming that remote work no longer violates the visa's rules under article L. 426-20.

France has not launched a visa formally named a "Digital Nomad Visa." Instead, the Ministry clarified how the existing VLS-TS applies to remote workers. For years, the visa allowed stays beyond the 90-days-per-180-day Schengen limit, but holders could not legally carry out any professional activity in France — a restriction that, in theory, covered answering work emails from a Paris café. Some consulates had already tolerated applicants presenting location-independent income. Now the Ministry's position is explicit for the first time.

What exactly changed?

Article L. 426-20 barred VLS-TS holders from carrying out a paid professional activity during their stay. The Ministry now states that remote work by a foreigner residing in France does not constitute a professional activity in the VLS-TS context, provided three conditions are met:

• The employer is foreign-based.
• Any contractual agreement is governed only by foreign law, not French law.
• The applicant performs no work for French-based clients or employees.

With those distinctions in place, the VLS-TS now informally doubles as a digital nomad visa, and few elements separate it from comparable permits elsewhere in Europe, where countries from Spain to Italy have already launched dedicated schemes.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must generally meet four requirements:

• Intend to stay in France for more than 3 months.
• Have sufficient funds to support themselves without needing a job in France.
• Hold accommodation covering the entire period of the stay.
• Carry health insurance with a minimum coverage amount of €30,000.

Applicants request the visa length they need, and French authorities decide whether to grant it. Consulates typically issue visas for periods between 3 months and 1 year.

How much money do you need to prove?

The financial threshold is tied to the French minimum wage, the SMIC. Applicants should contact the French Consulate closest to them for the exact figure. Acceptable sources of funds include:

• Savings.
• Pension income.
• Investment income.
• Rental income.
• Financial support from a guarantor or family member who can prove sufficient resources.

In practice, consulates often want to see roughly one year's worth of funds at the point of application — either as a lump sum in savings or investments, or, for remote workers, a reliable recurring income.

What does it cost, and can you extend?

The application fee is €99, approximately US$116, and is non-refundable even if the visa is refused.

Holders who wish to stay beyond their visa's expiry can generally apply for a residence permit, the carte de séjour, through the ANEF, the official online platform for foreigners in France, before the visa expires. Additional documentation depends on the reason for renewal or any change of visa category. Anyone planning to remain in France past the one-year mark should consult an immigration lawyer to review their options.

For context, visa-exempt nationals such as U.S. passport holders can otherwise spend only 90 days within any 180-day period across the 27-country Schengen area. The VLS-TS removes that constraint for France specifically.

Which cities do remote workers choose?

Paris remains the country's leading digital nomad base, with a large coworking scene, dense public transport, and an established international community — though it is the most expensive French city, with notably small apartments. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index.

Lyon offers one of France's most beautiful historic centers, Vieux Lyon, and rent that often runs around 30% cheaper than Paris, at the cost of steep hills and a weaker "instant community" scene.

Aix-en-Provence suits nomads seeking a slower pace, walkable streets, and proximity to Provence's lavender country and the Mediterranean coast near Marseille, though it demands a car for wider exploration. Lille, 25 minutes by train from the Belgian border and about 1 hour 20 minutes by Eurostar from London, pairs lower costs with a strong student-driven coworking scene but frequent rain. Nantes rounds out the list: a green, liveable Atlantic-side city with a growing tech and startup ecosystem, roughly a 30-minute drive from the coast.

All eligibility details and applications run through French consulates and the official ANEF portal, and the Ministry of the Interior's clarification of article L. 426-20 is the authoritative source for the remote-work change.