Foreign nationals living and working in France will see a sharp rise in administrative costs next week after a government notice published on 24 April confirmed new fiscal-stamp tariffs. The fee for a first-issue carte de séjour rises from €225 to €350, while reduced-rate categories such as students and seasonal workers double from €75 to €150 (card + stamp). Renewals climb more modestly, from €225 to €250, but the headline shock is reserved for citizenship: the naturalisation application fee rockets from €55 to €255. In addition, exchanging a foreign driving licence will attract a €40 stamp for the first time from 4 May. The interior ministry argues that French fees were low by EU standards and that the hike will fund digital modernisation of prefecture workflows. Migrant-rights NGOs denounce the move as a hidden tax that may push low-income families into irregular status if they cannot afford renewals. Global-mobility teams should update cost-of-assignment calculators immediately: a family of four on initial postings could now pay €1 400 in residence-card fees alone. Employers may also need to raise relocation allowances or cover upfront costs to avoid assignment delays.
Source: The Connexion
