The National Assembly opened debate on Article 30 of the 2026 Finance Bill on 13 November, and the one-paragraph clause has sent shock waves through France’s global-mobility community. The draft would raise the government’s mandatory fiscal stamp (droit de timbre) on nearly every immigration or naturalisation application filed in France from 1 January 2026.
If passed unchanged, the cost of acquiring French nationality would jump from €250 to €450, while the standard carte de séjour—used by most non-EU professionals and their family members—would climb from €200 to €300, plus a €50 production fee. Multi-year permit renewals, replacement cards and even the travel documents issued to refugees and stateless persons would all see triple-digit price hikes.
![French Parliament Weighs Sharp Increases to Visa and Residency-Card Fees]()
Lawmakers backing the measure argue that fees have not kept pace with administrative costs and that higher charges are needed to fund digitalisation of prefecture services. Business federations and student unions counter that the increases amount to a hidden tax on talent and risk deterring international recruits just as France tries to plug skills gaps in tech, healthcare and construction.
Corporate mobility managers are already running projections: a family of four on a four-year assignment would pay €1 400 more over the life of their permits under the current wording. Global law firms warn that back-dating of payment (applicants must present proof of the fiscal stamp with their file) could create a 48-hour scramble over the New-Year holiday.
Debate on amendments continues next week. Even if Parliament waters down some increases, HR teams are advised to budget for higher government fees and to advance renewals into December where possible to lock in current rates.
If passed unchanged, the cost of acquiring French nationality would jump from €250 to €450, while the standard carte de séjour—used by most non-EU professionals and their family members—would climb from €200 to €300, plus a €50 production fee. Multi-year permit renewals, replacement cards and even the travel documents issued to refugees and stateless persons would all see triple-digit price hikes.
Lawmakers backing the measure argue that fees have not kept pace with administrative costs and that higher charges are needed to fund digitalisation of prefecture services. Business federations and student unions counter that the increases amount to a hidden tax on talent and risk deterring international recruits just as France tries to plug skills gaps in tech, healthcare and construction.
Corporate mobility managers are already running projections: a family of four on a four-year assignment would pay €1 400 more over the life of their permits under the current wording. Global law firms warn that back-dating of payment (applicants must present proof of the fiscal stamp with their file) could create a 48-hour scramble over the New-Year holiday.
Debate on amendments continues next week. Even if Parliament waters down some increases, HR teams are advised to budget for higher government fees and to advance renewals into December where possible to lock in current rates.
