A French lawmaker, Paul Christophle, has proposed a bill to simplify the process of obtaining a residence permit for undocumented workers. The bill, submitted on October 6, 2026, aims to grant a "salarié" card to foreign workers who can prove at least six months of professional activity in France over the past two years. This proof can be provided through any means, offering flexibility in the application process.
The proposed law targets undocumented workers who have already integrated into the French job market, particularly in sectors such as construction, catering, and social care. According to the bill's authors, between 300,000 and 400,000 undocumented workers are currently employed in France, with an estimated 300,000 potentially eligible for regularization. This move is seen as a way to reduce precariousness for workers who are already contributing to the economy.
The bill's introduction comes as France prepares for the 2027 presidential election, with immigration becoming a contentious issue. Raphaël Glucksmann, a presidential candidate, has promised to regularize 300,000 undocumented workers if elected. The proposed law is an attempt to inscribe this measure into French law, but its adoption is far from certain.
The bill has been referred to the National Assembly's law commission and will be presented by the Socialist group during their initiative day on November 19, 2026. However, its inclusion on the agenda does not guarantee its adoption or immediate implementation. The bill must go through the entire parliamentary process, which could be lengthy and contentious.
If passed, the law would grant beneficiaries a residence permit and a work permit. The bill's authors argue that this would formalize the situation of workers who are already contributing to the economy, reducing their vulnerability to exploitation. The proposed law is seen as a key measure to address the issue of undocumented workers in France.
The volume of beneficiaries will depend on the final version of the law and the flexibility of the administrative requirements. The bill's authors emphasize that this is not a blanket regularization but rather a targeted measure aimed at workers who have already demonstrated their integration into the job market.
The proposed law faces a challenging path ahead, with many hurdles to overcome before it can be implemented. Despite this, the debate around regularization by work has been reignited, highlighting the complexities of addressing the issue of undocumented workers in France.
Key points
- The proposed law aims to regularize up to 300,000 undocumented workers in France.
- The bill targets workers who have already integrated into the French job market.
- The adoption of the bill is far from certain, with many hurdles to overcome in the parliamentary process.
