France

Partner country of the Rabat Process
Since 2006
National Focal Point
Ministry of the Interior

Population: 68 606 000 (data from 2025)

Relevant statistics (data from 2024, issued by national authorities):

  • Number of migrants in France: 6,92 millions
  • Estimated number of refugees and beneficiaries of international protection in France: 663 241
  • Estimated number of asylum seekers in France:  157 552
  • Estimated number of French living abroad: 2.5 millions 

Partner country of the Rabat Process: Since 2006

National Focal Point: Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior.

France’s legal and policy framework on migration:

Non-exhaustive list of key legislative and policy instruments:

Ratified international treaties:

  • 1954/1971: ratification of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
  • 1960: ratification of the 1954 Convention on Statelessness.
  • 2002: ratification of the 2000 Protocols on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
  • France is also party to several international human rights instruments that complement the above-mentioned framework and apply to migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons.

Main ministries and institutions in charge of migration affairs in France:

  • The Ministry of Interior: the Directorate-General for Foreigners in France, acting in consultation with other ministries, prepares and implements government policy on immigration, asylum, integration and access to French nationality. It is responsible for dealing with regulations concerning visas; entry, residence and employment in France; combating illegal immigration, illegal work and document fraud; and welcoming and supporting newly arrived foreigners. It relies on two public operators responsible for asylum (French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons) and the reception and support of newly arrived foreigners (French Office for Immigration and Integration).
  • The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE): The MEAE defines and implements France's solidarity-based and sustainable investment policy (ISD). As such, it is responsible for planning and financing cooperation projects, relying in particular on two operators, the AFD (French Development Agency) and EF (Expertise France). The MEAE also participates in the development and promotion of France's positions on migration in their external dimension, particularly in European forums. It contributes to bilateral and multilateral dialogue on migration with countries of origin, transit and destination. In coordination with its network of embassies, consular and cultural services, it also participates in the implementation of France's visa and attractiveness policy.
  • The General Secretariat for European Affairs (SGAE): under the authority of the Prime Minister and in accordance with the guidelines set by the President of the Republic, is responsible for interministerial coordination on European affairs, including European asylum and migration policy.

Sources:

Last update: July 2025.