France’s inaugural domestic edition of the well-known “Choose France” investment conference, held in Paris on 17 November, yielded €9.2 billion in fresh corporate commitments across energy, life-sciences and agri-food, according to the finance ministry. The figure lifts total pledges secured in 2025 to more than €30 billion spread over 150 projects, despite a fractious budget debate in the National Assembly.
Finance Minister Roland Lescure told delegates that every euro of capex would be matched by “simplified administrative paths” for international staff. In practice, that means accelerated processing under the multi-year Passeport Talent permit and a dedicated “green-lane” at consulates for project-linked work-permit dossiers. A pilot scheme launched with Business France will allow HR teams from selected investors to bulk-file digital work-permit requests and receive responses within 15 days.
![€9.2 Billion of New Projects Pledged at ‘Choose France – Édition France’ Summit, Boosting Demand for Talent Visas]()
The summit also showcased a new “Investor Talent Fast-Track”—a compact within the existing Passeport Talent for executives earning 1.5 times the average salary but posted for less than 12 months. Immigration advisers say this plugs a gap for short-term project directors who previously had to rely on slower intra-company transfer rules.
For relocation providers, the main takeaway is geographical: 43 % of the announced projects are outside the Paris region, notably in Occitanie, Hauts-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Housing and schooling capacity in secondary cities will therefore become a bigger part of assignment planning in 2026.
Finally, Lescure confirmed that a decree—expected by year-end—will cap prefectural processing of EU Blue Cards at 30 days, down from the current 60, aligning France with the transposed EU directive and making it more competitive with Germany and Spain.
Finance Minister Roland Lescure told delegates that every euro of capex would be matched by “simplified administrative paths” for international staff. In practice, that means accelerated processing under the multi-year Passeport Talent permit and a dedicated “green-lane” at consulates for project-linked work-permit dossiers. A pilot scheme launched with Business France will allow HR teams from selected investors to bulk-file digital work-permit requests and receive responses within 15 days.
The summit also showcased a new “Investor Talent Fast-Track”—a compact within the existing Passeport Talent for executives earning 1.5 times the average salary but posted for less than 12 months. Immigration advisers say this plugs a gap for short-term project directors who previously had to rely on slower intra-company transfer rules.
For relocation providers, the main takeaway is geographical: 43 % of the announced projects are outside the Paris region, notably in Occitanie, Hauts-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Housing and schooling capacity in secondary cities will therefore become a bigger part of assignment planning in 2026.
Finally, Lescure confirmed that a decree—expected by year-end—will cap prefectural processing of EU Blue Cards at 30 days, down from the current 60, aligning France with the transposed EU directive and making it more competitive with Germany and Spain.
