2026 Guide
Moving to France from the UK as an Entrepreneur in 2026: Visa & Requirements
Oct 7, 2026 |
Eleonore Tavares de Pinho
10 min read
Moving to France from the UK as an entrepreneur is still possible, but the process is different from what it was before Brexit.
British citizens who are planning to establish themselves in France and run a business generally need to follow French immigration rules for non-EU nationals. The visa you need depends on the type of business you want to create, your professional activity, your financial situation, and how you plan to operate in France.
This guide explains how to move to France from the UK as an entrepreneur in 2026, including the France Entrepreneur Visa, eligibility requirements, business plans, financial requirements, family considerations, the application process, and common mistakes to avoid.
The rules can vary depending on your circumstances. Therefore, it is important to identify the correct immigration route before making business or relocation plans.
Table of Contents
1. Can UK Entrepreneurs Move to France?
Yes. UK citizens can move to France to establish and operate a business, but British citizens who are moving to France after Brexit generally need to obtain the appropriate French immigration status before carrying out their professional activity.
The key date is 1 January 2021.
British citizens who were already living in France before the end of the Brexit transition period may have different rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. If you are currently living in the UK and want to relocate to France to start or operate a business, you will generally need to follow the French immigration process that applies to third-country nationals.
For stays of more than 90 days, the appropriate long-stay visa is normally required unless a specific exemption applies.
France-Visas has a specific route for people who want to create or participate in a commercial, industrial, artisanal or agricultural activity, or establish themselves in a liberal profession.
The correct route depends on your business and professional situation.
2. What Visa Do You Need to Start a Business in France?
For many entrepreneurs, the relevant route is the France Entrepreneur Visa, officially associated with the long-stay visa carrying the mention “entrepreneur/profession libérale.”
This route is designed for people who want to create or participate in an economic activity in France or establish themselves as a liberal professional.
If you are creating a new business, you need to demonstrate that your proposed activity is economically viable.
If you are establishing yourself in a liberal profession or participating in an existing activity, you generally need to demonstrate sufficient resources equivalent to at least the French legal minimum wage for a full-time worker.
The visa is generally issued as a one-year long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit. After arriving in France, you must complete the required validation and administrative procedures within the applicable deadlines.
Your business activity must also comply with any French professional, regulatory, qualification or licensing requirements that apply to your sector.
For example, some regulated professions require specific qualifications, diplomas, registrations or professional authorisations before you can legally operate in France.
3. France Entrepreneur Visa Requirements
The exact documents required depend on your personal situation and the type of business you intend to operate.
However, an entrepreneur moving from the UK to France should normally be prepared to demonstrate the following.
A Viable Business Project
If you are creating a new business, French authorities will want to understand whether your project is economically viable.
Your application should therefore clearly explain:
- What your business will do
- Who your target customers are
- How the business will generate revenue
- Your expected expenses
- Your financial projections
- Your experience and qualifications
- Why the business can operate successfully in France
- How you intend to finance the project
The strength of the business project can be an important part of the application.
Sufficient Financial Resources
Your financial situation needs to be consistent with the business project and the requirements of the immigration route.
For an existing activity or liberal profession, France-Visas states that applicants must be able to generate resources at least equivalent to the legal minimum wage for a full-time worker.
As of 1 June 2026, the French minimum wage is €1,867.02 gross per month for a standard 35-hour working week.
This figure can change over time, so applicants should always verify the current amount when preparing an application.
Professional Qualifications
Your professional background should support the activity you intend to carry out in France.
Depending on the business, this can include:
- Professional experience
- Qualifications
- Diplomas
- Existing business experience
- Evidence of previous commercial activity
- Professional registrations or licences where required
If the profession is regulated in France, additional requirements may apply.
Accommodation and Personal Documents
You will also need to provide the personal and supporting documents required for your visa application.
Depending on your circumstances, these may include:
- Valid passport
- Visa application documents
- Proof of accommodation
- Financial evidence
- Business documents
- Professional documents
- Evidence supporting your business project
- Documents relating to your personal circumstances
The exact checklist can vary according to your nationality, place of residence, business activity and individual circumstances.
4. How Much Money Do You Need?
There is no single amount of money that applies to every entrepreneur moving to France.
The financial requirement depends on the route you are applying for and the nature of your business.
For the standard entrepreneur/profession libérale route, France-Visas requires a new business project to demonstrate economic viability. For a liberal profession or an existing activity, applicants must be able to generate resources at least equivalent to the French legal minimum wage.
From 1 June 2026, the French SMIC is €1,867.02 gross per month.
However, simply having this amount in a bank account does not automatically guarantee approval.
Your finances should make sense in the context of your business plan.
French authorities may need to understand how your business will generate income, how the business will be financed, and whether the proposed activity is realistic.
This is why a strong financial forecast is often just as important as the amount of money you currently have available.
5. What Should Your Business Plan Include?
A clear business plan can help demonstrate that your project is genuine, realistic and economically viable.
Your business plan should ideally explain:
Your Business
Describe the product or service you intend to offer in France.
Explain what makes your business different and why customers would use it.
Your Target Market
Identify your customers and explain the market you intend to serve.
You should demonstrate that there is realistic demand for your product or service.
Your Revenue Model
Explain how the business will make money.
This could include:
- Product sales
- Service fees
- Subscriptions
- Consulting
- Online sales
- Contracts
- Other commercial activities
Your Financial Forecast
Include realistic projections for:
- Revenue
- Operating costs
- Business investment
- Marketing
- Salaries or professional costs
- Taxes and social charges
- Expected profit
Avoid unrealistic projections that cannot be supported by your research or previous business experience.
Your Experience
Explain why you are qualified to run the business.
Your previous entrepreneurial experience, professional background and qualifications can help demonstrate that you have the skills necessary to develop the project.
6. Entrepreneur Visa vs Talent Passport
Not every entrepreneur moving to France should automatically apply for the standard Entrepreneur Visa.
Depending on the nature and scale of your project, you may qualify for a Talent Passport route.
France-Visas provides a specific “passeport talent – créateur d’entreprise” route for certain business creators.
For this route, the applicant must demonstrate a real and serious business creation project. The official requirements include an investment of at least €30,000 in the project and either a qualification at least equivalent to a master’s degree or five years of professional experience at a comparable level.
The Talent Passport route can therefore be particularly relevant to entrepreneurs with a substantial business project and the required professional or academic background.
One major advantage is that the Talent Passport can provide a longer-term residence route, with the relevant residence permit potentially lasting up to four years depending on the circumstances.
Family members can also benefit from the accompanying-family arrangements applicable to the Talent Passport route, with residence rights and work authorisation.
The standard Entrepreneur Visa and Talent Passport are therefore not interchangeable.
The right route depends on your business project, investment, professional background, qualifications and long-term plans.
7. Can Your Family Move to France With You?
Your family may be able to join you in France, but the rules depend on the immigration route you hold.
The family arrangements for a standard Entrepreneur Visa are different from those available under certain Talent Passport categories.
For Talent Passport holders, France-Visas specifically provides for accompanying family members, who can receive residence rights and work authorisation for the relevant period.
If you are applying for the standard Entrepreneur Visa, you should assess your spouse’s and children’s immigration status separately as part of your relocation plan.
This is particularly important if your spouse also wants to work in France or if your children will attend school in France.
Planning the family’s immigration status at the beginning can help avoid unnecessary complications after your move.
8. Can You Run a UK Business From France?
This is one of the most important questions for British entrepreneurs moving to France.
Moving to France does not automatically mean that you can continue carrying out your UK business activities from France without considering French immigration, tax and business rules.
If you physically work from France, provide services from France, manage a business from France or carry out professional activities on French territory, you need to consider whether your French immigration status authorises that activity.
Your UK company may also create French tax, social security or corporate considerations depending on how the business is structured and managed.
For example, an entrepreneur who moves personally to France while continuing to manage a UK company from France may have different obligations from someone who establishes a new French company.
Immigration, tax residency and business structure are separate issues.
Before moving, it is therefore sensible to obtain advice on both your immigration status and the tax/business consequences of becoming resident in France.
9. How to Apply for the France Entrepreneur Visa
The application process should be planned carefully because your business documents and immigration documents need to support the same overall project.
Step 1: Identify the Correct Immigration Route
Start by determining whether the standard Entrepreneur Visa, Talent Passport or another route is appropriate for your situation.
Step 2: Prepare Your Business Project
Develop a clear business plan that explains your activity, market, finances and professional background.
Step 3: Prepare Your Supporting Documents
Collect the personal, professional and financial documents required for your application.
Make sure documents are consistent and up to date.
Step 4: Complete the French Visa Application
Use the official France-Visas process to identify the appropriate visa category and supporting documents.
Applicants should always check the current requirements because documentation can vary according to nationality, country of residence and individual circumstances.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Follow the application process applicable to your place of residence in the UK and attend any required appointment or biometric procedure.
Step 6: Travel to France
Once your visa has been issued, travel to France according to the conditions of your visa.
Step 7: Complete the Required French Formalities
After arriving in France, complete the required validation or residence-permit procedures within the applicable deadline.
You should also complete the administrative steps required to legally operate your business in France.
10. Common Mistakes UK Entrepreneurs Should Avoid
Moving to France as an entrepreneur involves more than simply obtaining a visa.
Some common mistakes include:
Choosing the Wrong Visa
A visa that allows you to live in France does not necessarily allow you to carry out the professional activity you have planned.
Your immigration status must match your actual activity.
Using a Weak Business Plan
A business plan should not simply describe your idea.
It should demonstrate that the project is realistic, financially credible and supported by your experience.
Ignoring Regulated Professions
Some activities require specific qualifications, licences or professional registration in France.
Check these requirements before applying.
Focusing Only on the Visa
Your move can also have tax, social security, business and family consequences.
These should be considered before you relocate.
Assuming Brexit Rules Are the Same for Everyone
British citizens who lived in France before 1 January 2021 may have different rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Do not assume that the same rules apply to someone who is currently living in the UK and planning their first move to France.
Waiting Until the Last Minute
Preparing a business project, collecting documents and completing the visa process can take time.
Starting early gives you more opportunity to identify missing documents or problems with your proposed immigration route.
11. Moving to France From the UK as an Entrepreneur: Key Steps
The process can be summarised as follows:
- Decide what type of business you want to operate in France.
- Identify the immigration route that matches your activity.
- Check whether your profession is regulated.
- Prepare a strong business plan.
- Review your financial position and projected income.
- Prepare your personal and professional documents.
- Apply through the appropriate French visa process.
- Complete the required procedures after arriving in France.
- Register and operate your business in accordance with French rules.
- Review your tax, social security and family situation as part of your relocation.
Planning these steps before leaving the UK can make the transition much smoother.
FAQs
1. Can a UK citizen start a business in France?
Yes. UK citizens can establish a business in France, but those moving to France after Brexit generally need the appropriate immigration status to live and carry out professional activities in France. The immigration route you need will depend on the type of business or professional activity you intend to undertake.
2. What is the France Entrepreneur Visa?
The France Entrepreneur Visa is an immigration route for non-EU nationals who want to establish or operate a business or professional activity in France. Applicants generally need to demonstrate that their proposed activity is economically viable and that they have the financial resources required for their situation.
3. How much money do I need for a France Entrepreneur Visa?
There is not one universal investment amount that applies to every entrepreneur. The financial evidence required depends on the nature of the activity. Where the relevant requirement is based on the French legal minimum wage, the current 2026 SMIC is €1,867.02 gross per month, or approximately €22,404.20 gross per year for full-time employment. Your application may require additional evidence depending on your business project and circumstances.
4. Do I need a business plan to move to France as an entrepreneur?
Yes, a detailed business plan is generally an important part of an entrepreneur application. It should explain your business model, market, expected revenue, costs, financing, professional experience and why the project is economically viable in France.
5. Can I move my UK company to France?
You may be able to establish a French company, branch or other suitable structure connected to your UK business. However, moving the business itself and obtaining the right to live and work in France are separate issues. You should consider both the corporate structure and your French immigration status.
6. Is the Entrepreneur Visa better than the Talent Passport?
Not necessarily. The best route depends on your business project, qualifications, investment, expected income and professional circumstances. Some entrepreneurs may qualify for the Talent Passport route, while others may be better suited to the Entrepreneur Visa. The two routes have different eligibility criteria and should be assessed individually.
7. Can my family join me in France?
In many cases, eligible family members can accompany or join the main applicant in France, depending on the immigration route and their relationship to the applicant. Family members may have their own residence rights and work rights depending on the applicable permit.
8. Can I work for my UK company while living in France?
Potentially, but living and working from France can create both immigration and tax considerations. Your French residence status must allow the activity you intend to carry out, and you should also consider French tax residence, social security and the structure of your UK business.
9. How long does the France Entrepreneur Visa take?
Processing times vary depending on the application route, consulate, prefecture and whether additional documents are requested. It is therefore important to allow sufficient time for document preparation and processing before planning your move to France.
13. Final Thoughts
Moving to France from the UK as an entrepreneur can be an excellent opportunity, but the immigration process needs to be planned around your actual business activity.
The most important steps are choosing the correct visa route, preparing a credible business project, demonstrating the required financial position and ensuring that your professional activity is legally authorised in France.
For some entrepreneurs, the standard Entrepreneur Visa may be appropriate. For others, particularly those with a substantial investment and qualifying professional or academic background, the Talent Passport may provide a better route.
French immigration rules can also interact with tax, business and family considerations, so it is worth getting the right advice before making major relocation decisions.
If you are planning to move from the UK to France to start or run a business, Your Global Move can help you assess your situation, identify the appropriate immigration route and prepare your application.
Start planning your move to France with professional French immigration guidance.
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