French MPs approve seven-month detention for ‘dangerous’ foreign nationals
Switzerland reinstates border checks with France ahead of G7 summit in Évian
French government meets airlines as jet-fuel crunch looms, but experts see ‘very low’ risk of summer cancellations
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Biometric Entry/Exit System triggers hour-long queues at French airports
Since EES became fully operational on 10 April, French airports have seen 60–120 minute waits as biometric kiosks struggle with volumes, The Local reported on 5 May. The EU allows temporary suspension of fingerprint capture, but France is deploying the measure sparingly, raising concerns for summer travel plans.
French National Assembly votes to triple maximum detention of high-risk foreign nationals
France’s lower house approved a bill on 5 May 2026 that extends administrative detention for foreign nationals under expulsion orders—from 90 days to a potential 210 days for terrorism cases. The government says the measure fills procedural gaps that previously forced releases, while critics see a disproportionate curb on civil liberties. If the Senate concurs, global employers will face a significantly harsher enforcement environment.
France tightens ‘jus soli’ rules for children born in Mayotte to foreign parents
Decree 2026-338, published on 5 May 2026, requires **both** parents of a child born in Mayotte to have one year of lawful residence before the child can claim French nationality. The change intensifies France’s long-running effort to curb irregular migration to the department and has implications for expatriate families stationed there.
Residence-permit and naturalisation fees rise sharply from 1 May 2026
A fee schedule published on 1 May 2026 raises the cost of almost all French immigration procedures: first-issue residence cards now €350, renewals €250, and naturalisation €255. Employers must budget for the higher tax stamps and warn staff mid-process.
French planning agency urges expanded economic immigration to counter falling birth-rate
In a report released 5 May, France’s planning agency calls for larger, skills-based immigration quotas to offset a 24 % fall in births since 2010 and safeguard the pension system. The HCP proposes fast-track permits for shortage occupations and smoother diploma recognition, opening the door to a more employer-driven immigration policy.