European Citizenship & Residency News
English summaries of the immigration, naturalisation, Golden Visa, and language-exam changes that matter for citizenship applicants.
France Immigration Updates: Fee Hikes & Stricter Court Reviews
France is raising state fees for residence permits and citizenship starting May 2026. Meanwhile, new legislation may allow judges to review classified files in immigration disputes.
France Immigration Update: Massive Fines for Illegal Hiring & Faster Residence Permits
France is cracking down on illegal hiring with fines up to €62,250 per employee while hiring 500 new prefecture staff to speed up residence permit processing.
France Promises Faster Residence Permits Amid ANEF System Glitches
France aims to speed up residence permit processing, but applicants face severe delays due to ANEF portal glitches. Meanwhile, new guidelines clarify how graduates can transition to business creation visas.
France Hires 500 Prefecture Staff to Clear Residence Card Backlogs
France is tackling severe residence card delays by hiring 500 new prefecture staff. Meanwhile, the EU's biometric border system (EES) faces another delay due to French infrastructure readiness.
France Pauses Asylum, Fast-Tracks EU Migration Pact & Talent Visas
France is urgently overhauling its immigration system to meet a June EU deadline. While asylum processing is paused, the country is prioritizing skilled professionals, students, and investors.
France Raises Immigration Fees Amid Growing Visa Backlogs
France has increased its immigration and citizenship fees while facing significant visa processing delays. Applicants must prepare for stricter rules and longer wait times.
France Immigration Update: Fee Hikes in May & EES Launch in April 2026
France is tightening its immigration system with higher visa and residence permit fees starting May 2026. Meanwhile, the new automated Entry/Exit System (EES) will strictly track Schengen stays by April.
France Pushes for EU Business Mobility Amid Schengen Visa Tightening
France is lobbying the EU to simplify business mobility for entrepreneurs while tightening standard Schengen visa rules. Meanwhile, a successful mass renewal of 40,000 resident cards highlights a stable local system.
France Immigration Update: Fee Hikes, Biometrics, and Prefecture Delays
France is raising residence permit and citizenship fees starting May 1. Applicants also face mandatory global biometrics and severe processing delays of up to nine months in certain prefectures.
French Residence Permit Delays: Strikes & Closures
Medical worker strikes and prefecture closures in Marseille are causing significant delays for French residence permits. Meanwhile, France aims to attract 30,000 Indian students, increasing competition for housing.
France Proposes 3-Year Immigration Freeze While EU Delays EES to 2026
A French minister has proposed a three-year freeze on legal immigration amid a rightward political shift. Meanwhile, the EU delayed its EES biometric border system to September 2026 due to airport readiness issues.
France Weighs 3-Year Immigration Freeze & Hikes Talent Passport Thresholds
France is considering a three-year freeze on legal immigration while raising salary thresholds for the Talent Passport. Applicants must also pass a new mandatory civic exam for multi-year residence permits.
France Updates Talent Visa Guides & Delays ETIAS to Late 2026
France has updated its Talent – New Business visa guidelines and delayed the ETIAS launch to late 2026. Meanwhile, stricter general migration policies may increase processing times at local prefectures.
France Introduces Civic Exam & Stricter Language Rules for Residency
France has implemented a mandatory civic exam and raised language requirements for residency and citizenship. Meanwhile, the new EES biometric border system is expected to cause travel delays.
France Tightens Immigration Rules: Language Exams & Salary Hikes
France has introduced stricter immigration rules for 2026, including mandatory civic exams, higher language requirements, and increased salary thresholds for the Talent Passport.
France Lowers Talent Visa Salary Threshold & Adds Civic Test
France has lowered the salary threshold for the Talent Passport to €39,582 while introducing a mandatory civic knowledge test for residence permits and naturalization.
France Bans Remote Work on Visitor Visas Amid 42% Drop in Approvals
France has officially banned remote work for Visitor Visa holders and reported a 42% drop in residence permit approvals. Meanwhile, Portugal faces citizenship delays as courts uphold a 10-year Golden Visa rule.
France Introduces Mandatory Civic Exam and Automatic Residence Permit Renewals
France is balancing stricter integration rules with reduced bureaucracy. A new mandatory civic exam is required for multi-year permits, while existing carte de séjour renewals become automatic.