On Friday, February 21, 2025, the French government published an updated list of in-demand occupations. This latest list, replacing the one from 2021, which was based on data from 2008, is part of an immigration reform enacted in January 2024. It aims for a more targeted job distribution, reflecting the true needs across various regions. How will this impact foreign workers?
In-demand occupations in 2025
The newly released list circulated among social partners, including unions, associations, and employers, pertains to mainland France. Authorities will use this list to make informed decisions regarding the issuance of work permits. About 80 occupations are highlighted as in demand, with specific needs identified in each region. Île-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA), and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are the top three regions in terms of the number of in-demand professions, listing 41, 39, and 37 occupations respectively.
As expected, sectors traditionally facing worker shortages, such as construction, personal services, and the hospitality industry, are well-represented. Nationwide shortages include roles like cooks, agricultural workers, market gardeners, housekeepers, cleaning personnel, servers, hospitality staff, welders (with exceptions in Corsica, Normandy, Hauts-de-France, and Île-de-France), and bricklayers (except in Île-de-France). Roofers are particularly in short supply in PACA, Occitanie, and Île-de-France.
Is the new list comprehensive?
Expatriates and potential expatriates might encounter a different list of in-demand occupations published by France Travail, the national employment agency. While this list includes major sectors like food and construction, it also features occupations absent from the government's list, such as doctors, pharmacists, bank employees, and skilled laborers. The discrepancies stem from different methodologies; the government focuses on macroeconomic trends, whereas France Travail draws from local agency feedback.
Some regions have voiced concerns that the government's list does not accurately reflect their local labor market realities. There has also been criticism regarding insufficient consultation with social partners.
Expectations for foreign workers
Despite the updated list, the 2024 immigration reform's tightened rules remain unchanged. A new circular issued on January 24, 2025, further complicates the regularization process for those in irregular situations. Foreign workers must now prove over three years of residence and at least twelve months of employment in an in-demand sector to qualify for exceptional regularization.
Concerns from professional organizations
Organizations such as the Union of Hotel Trades and Industries are lobbying for streamlined immigration and regularization procedures. They argue that easing these rules could alleviate persistent labor shortages as these sectors struggle to attract domestic and foreign skilled workers.
Similarly, Practitioners with Degrees from Outside the European Union (Padhue) have become essential in healthcare services, assuming significant responsibilities but often without equitable recognition or remuneration. The stringent verification of knowledge tests (EVC) has been criticized for being overly restrictive and offering too few placements.
Acknowledging these challenges, the government opened 4,000 positions in 2024, an increase from the previous year, admitting 3,235 doctors. However, unions contend that this is still insufficient, noting that 10,000 doctors competed for these spots, including 7,000 already in France. Despite passing the exams, many were turned away due to reduced placement availability. The Ministry of Health promises a reform of the EVC this year.
In the meantime, non-European foreign doctors are relegated to a temporary status, valid for 13 months and renewable once, earning a net monthly salary of 1,800 euros—significantly lower than their French counterparts, who earn between 4,000 and over 7,000 euros net per month, depending on the region and specialty.
