France, Italy, Germany: which country is better for expats from India?

Europe has one of the largest Indian populations outside of India in the world. Its three leading economies, Germany, France, and Italy, offer plenty of opportunities for those Indians who are interested in jobs for expats in Europe. Each has its requirements and preferences, but all are open to international talent, which places them among the best countries for Indian immigrants in the EU. Read on to learn more about their employment and residence conditions and some practical information that might be useful for Indians in Europe, including advice on international remittance.

In the last 30 years, the Indian population in Europe has increased six-fold, from fewer than 90,000 to over half a million people. Traditionally, Indians considered the UK the most accessible European country to immigrate to: before Brexit, half of the EU diaspora lived there. Lately, however, Italy and Germany have taken over as the best European countries for expats from India, issuing more work and residence permits to Indians than any other member state. While France cannot boast of having one of the largest Indian populations outside of India, the diaspora there is growing fast, with Indian students and IT specialists driving the growth.

Indian diaspora

Today, over 200,000 Indian nationals reside in Germany, and another 43,000 are enrolled in German universities. Italy’s diaspora is about the same size and mainly comprises agriculture and dairy industry workers. Until recently, in continental Europe, Italy was considered to have the most prominent Indian population outside of India, but today, Germany is rapidly becoming a leading destination for Indians in Europe.

Around 120,000 Indians live in France, and the diaspora keeps expanding yearly. France may be one of the ‘easy-immigration’ countries for Indians because many come from former French colonies in India (Puducherry, Chandannagar) and elsewhere (Mauritius, Madagascar, Réunion).

Special agreements

Germany, France, and 12 other European countries have signed a social security agreement (SSA) with India. It is a significant factor for those looking for jobs for expats in Europe because the SSA allows Indian expats to avoid paying double for their social protection and entitles them to benefits and exemptions. It is especially relevant to those who do not plan on permanent emigration from India and save up to be financially secure after their return from Europe.

India is also in the respective Migration and Mobility Partnerships with Germany and Italy. These frameworks outline cooperation between the countries in studies, research, and mutual work. They aim to facilitate mobility for Indian workers and professionals, providing them with employment opportunities.

In addition, France and Italy have special agreements with India which allow Indian students to work in the respective countries for 12 months if specific criteria are met.

Employment for expats

In Germany, a special job seeker visa allows one to enter the country to secure employment. Alternatively, a suitable offer can be found from India for applicants to apply for a work visa. Keep in mind that expats over 45 must have a gross salary of at least €49,830. Starting in March 2024, emigration from India to Germany becomes even more appealing for skilled workers because the requirement to have a relevant academic or vocational qualification no longer applies (except for regulated professions, such as lawyers and doctors). Also, IT specialists should have only two years of professional experience instead of three and earn at least €40,770.

Another significant development will be introduced in early summer in Germany, cementing its image as the best European country for expats: a new point-based immigration programme. This so-called ‘opportunity card’ will allow international professionals to stay in Germany for up to two years, working part-time if needed while looking for full-time employment. It would no doubt be welcomed by those Indian job hunters who might need to help their families financially back home during the search period. The points are added for a relevant academic degree, financial independence (that is, an ability to support yourself while job-hunting), and either German (A1) or English (B2) language skills. The latter turns Germany into one of the ‘easy-immigration’ countries for Indians.

If on your list, France is the best country to immigrate to from India and you have found an employer there, you need to obtain a work permit from the French authorities and then an entry visa. In this case, you must be offered a salary of no less than the statutory national minimum wage, which as of 1 January 2024 stands at €21,203. International students (holders of a master’s degree and higher) must secure a job offer relevant to their specialisation and with a minimum monthly compensation of €2,650.38. There are many versions of a work permit, from long-stay visas to intracompany transfer permits to the so-called Talent Passport, the French visa for highly skilled professionals. This flexibility justifies France’s position as the best European country for expats.

In the framework of the latest Immigration Act enacted in January 2024, there are some positive developments regarding emigration from India to France, especially for those in medical and pharmacy professions. The Act introduces a multiyear residence permit for doctors, dentists, midwives, and pharmacists with no EU qualifications (PADHUE), who now might find France the most accessible European country to immigrate to for work. In turn, Italy has a quota system in place, and in 2024, the quota for foreign workers is set at 151,000, divided as follows:

• 89,050 for seasonal employment
• 61,950 for non-seasonal employment
• 700 for self-employment

Emigration from India to Italy is facilitated by a special cooperation agreement, which makes Indians eligible to apply for work with an Italian employer under the quota and in specified sectors. The minimum income is set at €30,000. The exception is domestic work, where the monthly wage must be at least €534.41.

EU Blue Card

All three countries participate in the European visa regime, the EU Blue Card, designed to facilitate the employment and residence of highly qualified foreigners. For several years in a row, Indians have been the largest beneficiaries of the programme. In 2022 alone, citizens of India obtained 19,896 Blue Cards – about a quarter of all such permits issued in the EU and more than any other ethnic group. It serves as a recognition of Indians’ competence but also provides them with a higher income, part of which they can send home (and the best way to do it is through a provider like Profee).

As the leader in the number of Blue Cards issued, both overall and to Indian nationals in particular, Germany might be viewed as the best country to immigrate to from India. In 2022, there were 63,242, or 77.3 % of the EU total, permits issued and of those, 17,541 to Indians, which is 88.2% of all Blue Card visas granted to Indian nationals in the EU.

The minimum gross salary for a German Blue Card visa in 2024 is €45,300, or €41,041.80, for certain ‘bottleneck’ professions, such as IT specialists, academic STEM professionals, and doctors. Germany allows a job change from the first year of employment, but this needs to be confirmed with a local foreign authority.

In France, for the first two years, Blue Card holders are only eligible to perform the activity that enabled visa issuance. Afterwards, they are free to take up employment elsewhere, both in metropolitan France and overseas territories. In 2022, France held third place in Blue Cards issued to Indian nationals with 367 permits or 1.8% of the total, so it is also one of the ‘easy-immigration’ countries for Indian professionals.

Italy relaxed its Blue Card eligibility criteria in November 2023. Among others, salary and contract duration thresholds were lowered, new categories of beneficiaries were included (like seasonal workers), and a right to work as self-employed along with the main line of employment was introduced, which makes it one of the best countries for those Indian immigrants who need to support their loved ones back home.

Digital nomad visas

Considering the latest developments in their work visa regimes, Germany, France, and Italy are increasingly looking as ‘easy-immigration’ countries for Indian professionals. Unfortunately, none of the three has a digital nomad visa policy aimed at highly skilled foreigners working remotely and earning income abroad.

Cost of living

According to various estimates, France is considered the most expensive of the three countries, and Italy is the most affordable. However, this relation varies between categories. For example, groceries and childcare in Germany are cheaper than in the other two states, but housing and transportation are more expensive.

Remuneration and cost of living, 2023

Language skills

The language environment is an important point to consider when emigrating from India. Without a doubt, among the three countries, Germany is the best country for Indian immigrants who speak English: it has the most non-native English speakers in Europe. At the same time, in France and Italy, the English language will only get you so far, and, with some exceptions, it is essential to speak the local language for employment and living in general. Luckily, all three countries have plenty of language programmes to help foreigners integrate.

To sum up, when planning your emigration from India, look at Germany, France, or Italy as potentially the best countries for Indian immigrants in the EU. Each has pros and cons, but each offers excellent opportunities to secure a well-remunerated job, achieve financial independence, and financially support your loved ones in India.