Foreign medical professionals seeking to work in France are required to meet specific criteria to be eligible for a residence permit. These conditions apply to those who hold a medical diploma issued by a country outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), and are classified in certain health-related professions as defined by the French Health Code.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Foreign Medical Qualification
Applicants must be foreign-trained medical professionals, holding a medical degree from a non-EU/EEA country. This includes doctors, dental surgeons, obstetricians or midwives, and pharmacists, among other health professionals recognized under the French Health Code, specifically in articles L 4111-1 and L 4221-12-1.
2. Appointment or Temporary Residence Certificate
To qualify, the applicant must have either an official appointment within the French healthcare system or possess a certificate confirming their right to temporary residence in France.
3. Knowledge Verification Test (EVC)
Applicants are required to pass the Knowledge Verification Test (EVC) to ensure their medical knowledge meets French standards.
4. Income Requirements
A key condition is that the applicant must earn a minimum annual income between 42,406 euros and 53,836 euros. This requirement is in place to ensure that medical professionals working in France meet a certain financial threshold.
5. Charter of Values and Secularism
As part of the application process, applicants must sign the Charter of Values of the Republic and commit to the principle of secularism, underscoring their adherence to the values of the French state.
Family Reunification
A notable change with this permit is that family members of the residence permit holder do not automatically gain the right to residence through family reunification. This provision separates the professional's immigration status from that of their family members, meaning they must apply separately for residence permits if they wish to join the applicant in France.
This residence permit offers foreign medical professionals the opportunity to practice in France, but it also comes with stringent requirements to ensure the applicant's qualifications and financial standing align with the expectations of the French healthcare system.