France’s attractiveness for business: a Ministry priority

Promoting the attractiveness of France is a key aspect of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ economic diplomacy. The Ministry runs a large number of initiatives aimed at promoting France’s assets, image and reforms internationally, drawing on the very extensive network of embassies, of which the local efforts in contact with economic decision-makers is very considerable.

Investment Month: the annual event bringing together the diplomatic network with foreign investors

Investment Month is the key moment for exchanges between embassies and foreign investors. Since it was created in 2015, Investment Month has been organized in almost 80 countries on all continents annually. It promotes France’s assets to international investors, economic decision-makers and opinion leaders. Every year, some 2,500 economic actors take part in events organized by French embassies.

More information on the 2018 Investment Month

In France: “Choose France” summits, operational meetings between foreign business leaders and the Government

Since 2018, a new large-scale format has been set up by the Presidency of the French Republic to bring together leaders from the largest foreign companies. The first international Choose France summit, organized in Versailles on 22 January 2018, brought together almost 140 leaders of major foreign companies and members of the Government and ministerial departments in order to discuss the latest reforms implemented in France. During the summit, the foreign companies present announced investments to the sum of €3.5 billion in France, contributing to the creation of almost 2,200 jobs in the coming five years.

The second edition of the Summit on 21 January 2019 at the Château de Versailles followed a similar format, promoting all regions to attract foreign investment. Several foreign companies at the Summit unveiled investment projects with a total estimated value of almost €600 million. This Summit was an opportunity for the Government to sign with Régions de France a National Charter for Foreign Direct Investment (in French).

Attracting international talent

Attracting and retaining international talent is a key aspect of competitiveness in the global economy. Above and beyond the advantageous living environment offered by France (access to education and health care, cultural scene, etc.), special arrangements have been put in place to attract international talent (foreign nationals or long-term French expatriates):

• The “Passeport Talent”, a multi-year residence permit (created in 2016). It is valid for a maximum of four years and is aimed at business creators, investors, artists, researchers, staff of major companies, and foreign students. This residence permit does not require any authorization to work;
• “Welcome to France”: a dedicated website supporting people who want to move to France (tax advice, social protection, residence permits);
• Extension from five to eight years of partial tax exemptions for impatriates and exemption from tax on salaries for the impatriation bonus.

^{Updated: February 2019}