France Self-employed (Freelance) Visa: The Complete Guide for UK Applicants

Dreaming of running your freelance business from a Parisian café? We’re here to help you navigate terms you’ll need to know, like profession libérale and visa de long séjour, so you can join the millions of self-employed people building their business in beautiful France^1,2.

In this guide, we explain all of the steps to apply for the French self-employed visa and key things to note. We also touch on all of the things that make Wise Business the perfect business account for freelancers to manage their earnings in France and enjoy la belle vie.

Table of contents

Key facts How to apply for the French long-stay visa as a self-employed freelancer Step 1: Confirm your eligibility and visa type Step 2: Gather all required documents Step 3: Apply at your local French consulate or visa centre Step 4: Wait for a decision Step 5: Validate your visa after arrival in France Step 6: Apply for or renew your residence permit How much does it cost? How long does it take to receive the visa? Do freelancers and self-employed people pay taxes in France? Summary Manage your freelance earnings like a pro with Wise Business

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Key facts

Topic	Notes
Visa Exemption 🗺️	If you’re a UK citizen (and hence a non-EU national), you need a long-stay visa to stay in France for longer than 90 days3,8. This visa is known as the visa de long séjour, or VLS. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need a visa to enter or stay in France.
Self-employment on the Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) 💼	The VLS-TS acts as a residence permit for up to 12 months, provided it is validated after you arrive3,6. You must qualify as a self-employed person or someone who is engaging in a ‘liberal activity’4.
Application Fee 💶	Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS): €99 (Paid at the consulate)3,7. Visa Validation Tax: €225 (Includes a €200 tax + €25 stamp duty, paid online when validating your VLS-TS in France to make it a valid residence permit)3. The visa validation tax is paid online to validate the initial Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) within the first three months of arrival, which then makes it function as a residence permit for the first year.
Residency Pathway 🌎	The initial VLS-TS is valid for up to 12 months. To stay longer, apply for a renewable carte de séjour (residence permit).
Processing Time ⏳	15 to 45 days12. Progress can be tracked online via the visa centre's website.
Passeport Talent 💡	This multi-year permit is for self-employed people who will engage in high-value projects that boost France's economic attractiveness. It is valid for a maximum initial duration of 4 years, with the exact length depending on your project5.
Businesses and Startups 🌱	For detailed information, check out our guide on How to Start a Business in France.

How to apply for the French long-stay visa as a self-employed freelancer

1. Confirm your eligibility and visa type
2. Gather all required documents
3. Apply at your local French consulate or visa centre
4. Wait for a decision
5. Validate your visa after arrival in France
6. Register your business or professional activity
7. Apply for or renew your residence permit

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility and visa type

Head to the French Government's Visa Wizard webpage and enter your details to check if you need a long-stay visa and whether the entrepreneur/profession libérale route fits your situation⁹.

This visa applies to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who plan to live in France and work as self-employed professionals³.

You’ll need to show that your freelance activity is economically viable and that you can financially support yourself while living in France (discussed above).

Key things to note:

This visa isn’t for regular jobs or salaried positions; you must plan to work independently, i.e., your activity must be self-employed (non-salariée) or under a liberal profession. 

Employment as a regular wage earner doesn’t qualify under this visa route. Your activity should also comply with French laws on public safety and health.

If your project is particularly ambitious, say, a startup or high-investment venture, you might qualify for the ‘Talent passport - Business creator’ route. This route is for entrepreneurs whose projects bring strong economic or innovative value to France.

Step 2: Gather all required documents

Before applying, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork ready, which includes¹⁰:

• A valid passport (issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay)
• A completed visa application form
• Proof of economic viability in the form of a business plan, income projections and client contracts (if available)
• Proof of financial means, typically equivalent to at least France’s minimum wage
• Proof of address in France in the form of a residential lease, temporary accommodation booking or proof of ownership of a property in France where you intend to reside
• Recent passport-size photos
• Police clearance certificate
• Evidence of your health insurance policy
• Professional qualifications, particularly if your self-employment business activity is regulated (law, architecture, medicine, etc.)

 Key things to note:

You must show that your business project is economically viable. If creating a new activity, you’ll show the projected income and business plan. But, if taking over or working in an existing activity, you should prove you have sufficient income.

Your financial resources must be at least equivalent to France’s legal minimum wage (SMIC) for a full-time worker.

Step 3: Apply at your local French consulate or visa centre

Once your documents are ready, submit your application to the nearest French consulate or visa center in your country of residence. During this appointment, you must:

• Submit your documents
• Complete your biometrics (fingerprints + photograph)
• Pay the visa fee

You will then receive a tracking number to monitor your application status.

Step 4: Wait for a decision

Processing time varies by country, but generally takes a maximum of 45 days. Applying 6 to 8 weeks before your departure can help avoid any last-minute issues.

Step 5: Validate your visa after arrival in France

After you’ve landed in France, your long-stay visa (VLS-TS) labelled entrepreneur/profession libérale doubles as a temporary residence permit for 12 months, provided you validate it within 3 months of arrival.

Validation ensures your visa remains active and lets you access healthcare and renewals later. This can be done online via France's official immigration platform.

Step 6: Apply for or renew your residence permit

Your VLS-TS is typically valid for one year. Before it expires, visit your local prefecture to renew it or convert it into a carte de séjour – entrepreneur/profession libérale by showing proof that:

• Your business is still active and generating income
• You meet the financial threshold
• You’ve met tax and social contribution obligations

Note: The key to a smooth visa process is attention to detail. Submit accurate documents, stay patient, and follow up when needed. And after your visa is granted, you can begin your freelance chapter in France on the right foot.

How much does it cost?

Visa or Permit	Approximate Costs
Initial Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS)	€99
Visa validation (which enables the VLS-TS to act as a residence permit during the first year)	€225

How long does it take to receive the visa?

Most applications are processed within 15 days and the maximum processing time is 45 days. It may take a little longer than this time frame to receive the visa once it has been processed.

Do freelancers and self-employed people pay taxes in France?

Yes - anyone working in France as an entrepreneur or freelancer in a profession libérale status must pay:

• Income Tax (Impôt sur le Revenu): Your earnings are taxed under France’s progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from 0% to 45%, depending on your total income¹⁴
• VAT (TVA): If your turnover in 2025 exceeds €36,800 but remains below €39,100, you can continue to be exempt from VAT for the remainder of 2025. However, you will become liable for VAT from January 1, 2026¹³.

If you are self-employed and have set up a limited company or a 'micro-enterprise', then you may also need to pay social security contributions¹⁵ and local Business Tax (CFE).

⚠️ Important: It is advisable to consult a tax expert before you start trading in France to be sure of what tax to pay.

Summary

Living and working in France as a self-employed individual can be the best decision of your life if you play the right cards. Take time to understand what’s needed and then start working on the process.

Most importantly, make sure your business plan looks solid. The French authorities want to see that your freelance work is sustainable and can actually succeed once you’re there.

Manage your freelance earnings like a pro with Wise Business

Getting a visa to work in France is the first step. Once you've received it, travelled to France, and set up sohp, you’re going to want to manage your earnings effectively to take your business to new heights.

That's where a Wise Business can make a real difference.

Wise Business lets you receive payments from clients in Euros and Pounds alike. You can convert between either currency at the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees and hold money in 40+ currencies.

For your day-to-day spending, you can also order a Wise Business debit card to spend in over 150+ countries and even earn 0.5% cashback on eligible purchases.

What's more, you can use Wise to create professional invoices for free and connect your account to accounting software to automate your bookkeeping.

It’s a simple way to stay organised and grow your business with confidence, whether you’re paid in Euros or Pounds.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

Sources

1. Remofirst, Hire and Pay French Contractors
2. Forbes, Freelancing In France: CEOs See The Market Continuing To Grow
3. Gouvernment Francais, Long-Stay Visa
4. Gouvernment Francais, Self-Employed Person or Liberal Activity
5. Gouvernment Francais, International talents and economic attractiveness
6. Campus France, How to Validate Your Long-Stay Visa Upon Arrival
7. Welcome to France (Gouvernment Francais), Long-Stay Visa Overview
8. European Commission, Self-Employed Worker in France
9. Government Francais, Visa Wizard
10. Welcome to France (Gouvernment Francais), List of Documents for VLS-TS Entrepreneurs
11. Gouvernment Francais, Visa Application Guidelines
12. Total Law UK, Self-Employed Visa France
13. VAT Calc, France services VAT registration threshold cut 2026
14. Fab Expat, Taxation for Freelancers and Self-Employed in France
15. French Property, Social Security Contributions for Self Employed Persons

Sources last checked on October 13th, 2025