Since the 2024 immigration law, doctors, dentists, midwives and pharmacists trained outside the EU have their own French residence card: talent - profession médicale et de la pharmacie. It is a multi-year card of up to four years for practitioners who have passed the French recognition steps and work in France, with their family alongside them.
Key facts
| Legal name | Carte de séjour pluriannuelle "talent - profession médicale et de la pharmacie", art. L421-13-1 CESEDA |
| Created by | Immigration law of 26 January 2024 |
| Professions | Doctor, dental surgeon, midwife, pharmacist |
| Key condition | A post assignment, a temporary practice attestation or a full authorisation to practise under the French public health code |
| Pay | At least the 2nd step of the "praticien associé" pay scale: €41,386.48 gross a year according to the administration |
| Validity | Length of the employment contract, up to 4 years |
| Work rights | The medical or pharmacy practice that justified the card; no work authorisation for the employer |
| French language | Required by the health code for the authorisation to practise; no separate test for the card |
| Family | Spouse and children get a "talent (famille)" card and the spouse can work |
| Fee | €350 for a first card |
Who this card is for
The card is designed for practitioners with a diploma from outside the EU (often called PADHUE), at the stage where they work in France:
- The laureate in a consolidation post. You passed the knowledge tests (EVC) and the Ministry of Health assigned you to a post to complete your skills-consolidation programme.
- The practitioner with temporary practice rights. You hold an attestation allowing temporary practice under the health code.
- The fully authorised practitioner. You obtained the individual authorisation to practise as a doctor, dentist, midwife or pharmacist.
If your situation is different, another route may fit better:
| Your situation | Route to look at |
|---|---|
| You have not yet passed the recognition steps | This card is not yet open to you; other residence routes may apply in the meantime |
| Medical research or university teaching | Talent - researcher |
| Non-clinical job in a health or pharma company | Talent - qualified employee or EU Blue Card |
| Diploma from an EU country | Recognition under EU rules; no talent card needed if you are an EU citizen |
Conditions
- A health-code document. A decision assigning you to a post, an attestation allowing temporary practice, or an individual authorisation to practise.
- A job in France as a doctor, dental surgeon, midwife or pharmacist.
- Pay of at least the 2nd step of the "praticien associé" pay scale, stated by the administration as €41,386.48 gross a year.
- The charter. Signing the charter of the values of the Republic and of the principle of secularism.
The recognition steps themselves are set by the health code, not by immigration law: knowledge tests, a sufficient level of French and a consolidation programme in an assigned post. The number of attempts is limited.
Not sure which stage of the recognition process you are at, or which document your employer should provide? A short consultation is enough to check.
Documents and procedure
This category follows a slightly different path from the other talent cards: the application goes to the préfecture of your department rather than through the ANEF website. If you live abroad, you first apply for a long-stay visa at the French consulate. The file rests on your health-code document, the employer's certificate and proof of pay. A first card costs €350 in tax stamps.
Your rights
- Work. The card covers the medical or pharmacy practice that justified it, with no work authorisation for the employer.
- Family. Your spouse and children get a "talent (famille)" card without family reunification, and your spouse can work in France.
- No integration contract. No A2 test or civic exam for this card.
- Losing your job. An involuntary job loss does not lead to the card being withdrawn.
When it gets complicated
The card sits at the meeting point of two systems, health-code recognition and immigration law. These situations often go wrong:
- Between two stages. Moving from a consolidation post to full authorisation, or from one assignment to another, can leave a gap between documents.
- Pay below the scale. Part-time posts, private clinics or mixed contracts may not reach the 2nd step of the praticien associé scale.
- Private sector employers. Clinics and medical centres outside the public hospital system raise questions about which document and which pay reference apply.
- Switching from another card. Moving from a student, "salarié" or other card to this one needs the timing and documents lined up.
- Limited attempts. The knowledge tests and the authorisation can only be attempted a limited number of times; a failed step affects the residence plan.
- Family timing. Spouses and children often follow later, while the practitioner is still in an assignment post.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a special French residence card for foreign doctors?
Yes. Since the 2024 immigration law, the "talent - profession médicale et de la pharmacie" card covers doctors, dentists, midwives and pharmacists with a recognised status to practise in France.
Can I get the card before passing the EVC tests?
No. You need a post assignment, a temporary practice attestation or an authorisation to practise under the health code.
What is the minimum salary?
The 2nd step of the "praticien associé" pay scale, stated by the administration as €41,386.48 gross a year.
Related reading
- France talent card: which category fits you
- Talent family card for spouses and children
- Talent card for qualified employees
Two ways to move forward
Check your situation. If you want to know whether your stage of recognition and your contract fit this card, book a consultation.
Have the application handled. If you or your hospital want the file prepared, including your family's cards, describe your situation and you will receive a proposal for full assistance.
General information under French law as at 29 October 2026. It is not legal advice for your situation.