Becoming a digital nomad in France
France is the world's top tourist spot in 2023, and it's easy to see why — the country is a dream destination year-round for many people, digital nomads included, with its captivating charm and chic style.
Why go to France?
France is very social, with diverse regions featuring distinct social customs, environments, cultures, and histories. You've got the elegance of urban Paris, the glitz of the French Riviera, world-class ski resorts in the Alps, Celtic influences in Brittany, and Normandy steeped in history. As a digital nomad in France, it's similar to experiencing many different cultures all at once.
France is famous for its great work-life balance and is a welcoming spot for digital nomads. It has classy cities and amazing food, but wherever you choose to set up in France, the most important things you'll need are a good Internet connection and a place to work.
The best cities to work in France
Paris
Paris is still number one on the list, of course. Who wouldn't love working with a view of the Eiffel Tower? Just imagine sitting at a cute little Parisian café, sipping a coffee, and working on your laptop – it's an experience in itself! However, working in Paris isn't just pretty to look at. It's super practical for freelancers, too, with tons of coworking spaces, a chill work vibe, and a booming startup scene. It's easy to meet people, expand your network, and feel connected in Paris, even if you're far from home.
Nice
If you're looking for a beautiful getaway far from the chaos of big cities, Nice is the perfect spot. The city is just as lively as larger places, but it's right on the sea and has great weather all year. Even with the relaxed vacation vibe, Nice has plenty of coworking spaces to choose from. Just keep in mind that while it's not as pricey as Paris, the cost of living is still pretty high, especially during peak travel times.
Toulouse
Toulouse, the fourth-biggest city in France, is in the southwest part of the country. It's a hub for startups and super popular with digital nomads and expats, who help provide connections for finding new clients. You can get high-speed internet at pretty much any café or coworking space in the city.
Lyon
Last but not least, Lyon is an awesome place to live and work in France. It's the country's third biggest city, located in the southeast near Italy and Switzerland. Lyon is super dynamic with a rich culture and is perfect for digital nomads. The internet is fast, there are tons of coworking spaces, and lots of startups are popping up there looking to hire talented people from all over.
Digital nomads in France: Where and how to work?
In January 2024, the average speed of a fiber optic connection was estimated at 505 Mb/s. For Wi-Fi, speeds range from 288 Mb/s to 10 GB/s, depending on the box model (Wi-Fi 4, 5 or 6). For mobile data, you can reach 150 MB/s with 4G, 250 Mb/s with 4G+, and 615 Mb/s with 5G. However, these are theoretical data rates.
You can get phone plans with no contract and plenty of data for about twenty euros. Most cities and towns have free Wi-fi at places like libraries and train stations, but you might have to sign up with your email or phone number to use it.
Coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular in France. Not to mention the millions of cafés across the country, where you can connect to the Internet for a small fee.
Coworking spaces in Paris
AntiCafe, Several addresses
Le Laptop, various locations
MOZAIK Coworking, various locations
Hubsy, Several locations
WeWork, various locations
Industrious, 31, rue du Colisée
MAIF Social Club, 37, rue de Turenne
Coworking spaces in Nice
Le Labo Coworking, 6, rue du Congrès
La Verrière, 4, boulevard de Cimiez
Regus, several addresses
Starway, 21, avenue Thiers
Coworking spaces in Toulouse
TAU Coworking Space, 18, place de la Daurade
Etincelle Coworking, 2, rue d'Austerlitz
HarryCow Coworking, 13, rue Sainte-Ursule
La Kooloc, 7, rue Georges-Vedel
Le Hub Toulouse, 13, port Saint-Étienne
Coworking spaces in Lyon
Rakwe Café, several addresses
Anticafé, 9, rue du Bât d'Argent
Le 18 Coworking, 18, rue Servient
Le 144 coworking, 45, rue de la Bourse
Now coworking, 35, rue de Marseille
What you need to know before arriving in France
If you're from a Schengen country, you can enter France just by showing your ID card or residence permit.
You can also apply for a Schengen visa before your trip, which will give you access to other Schengen countries. Check our article "Visas for France" for more information.
Being self-employed in France
If you want to be a digital nomad working in France and paying taxes in France, you can, depending on how your business is legally set up. Many digital nomads are self-employed. In France, the most common legal structures for digital nomads are sole proprietorships (EI), single-member LLCs (EURL), or simplified single-shareholder corporations (SASU). Micro-enterprises aren't a legal structure, just a simplified tax system. Micro-entrepreneurs and digital nomad artists/authors operate as an EI, EURL, or SASU, based on what they do.
Please note:
France limits the artist–author regime to certain professions.
Depending on your business structure, you may have to pay corporate income tax (impôt sur les sociétés or IS). It's mandatory for SARLs and SASs but optional if you are an EI or EURL. In both cases, corporate income tax is levied on the profits generated by your activities in France over the course of the financial year. The standard rate is 25%, but some companies may qualify for a lower 15% rate.
Be sure not to confuse corporate tax and personal income tax. Income tax, as you'd expect, is charged on income you earn from French sources, like your salary. You have to report all your income to figure out if you owe income tax or not, but tax treaties between France and your home country may apply.
All the formalities involved in setting up a business in France are carried out online, so you can start work quickly and legally. You'll be able to invoice French companies, receive payment in a French bank account, and contribute to social security and income taxes in France.
Good to know:
Many French people know English, but if you're an expat who wants to fit in and embrace the culture, it's best to make an effort to learn some French. Start with basic phrases you can use day-to-day.
What to do after work in France?
If you're a digital nomad in France and you're going to work in a coworking space, you'll have no trouble making connections with other digital nomads with whom you can go for a drink after work. "Afterwork" meetups are an increasingly popular trend in France that you won't want to miss out on. You can also meet fellow nomads through Facebook groups, Instagram communities, and expat groups – there are plenty of other digital nomads in France looking to socialize and make new friends.
At first glance, the digital nomad life in France seems perfect, but there's a catch – France doesn't have a digital nomad visa yet, unlike many other countries. Thus, digital nomads don't have any official status there. In places that do offer them, these special visas often come with perks and benefits, like being able to stay longer or an easier path to residency. Depending on where you go, getting a digital nomad visa can also be a lot quicker and cheaper than other types of visas.
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