Refugee status for scientists in France? A proposal by French Parliament

On Thursday, April 17, 2025, Member of Parliament and former President of the Republic François Hollande submitted a bill aimed at creating a new status: “scientific refugee.” The goal is to strengthen the right of asylum by extending support to scientists and academic researchers who, due to armed conflicts, authoritarian regimes, or persecution related to their work, are forced to flee their home countries.

The aim? To expand the eligibility criteria for subsidiary protection, as defined in Article L.512-1 of the Code on the Entry and Stay of Foreigners and the Right of Asylum (a title almost as long as some PhD thesis titles). A new clause would be added for scientists and researchers “who risk suffering serious and individual harm to their academic freedom due to threats or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.” In other words, those threatened simply for having had a brilliant idea at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

This form of subsidiary protection allows recipients to obtain a residence permit to live and work in France for up to 4 years, as well as an identity and travel document allowing them to leave and re-enter France legally. After these 4 years, they may apply for a 10-year resident card.

The proposal also hints at the possible creation of an emergency scientific visa.

However, nothing is set in stone yet. The bill has not been debated in the National Assembly or the Senate. The legislative journey still lies ahead before any potential adoption.

Nevertheless, if you are at real risk of suffering one of the following serious harms in your country:

The death penalty or execution;
Torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
For a civilian, a serious and individual threat to their life or person due to violence that may affect people regardless of their personal circumstances, resulting from an internal or international armed conflict,
You may be eligible for subsidiary protection in France. A lawyer specializing in immigration law could be a valuable ally in demonstrating the reality and severity of the risks you face and guiding you through the various steps toward obtaining a residence permit.

Sources :

Le club des juristes, 18 avril 2025. Statut de réfugié scientifique : une proposition de loi déposée à l’Assemblée nationale. Consulté le 29 avril 2025. Disponible en ligne : https://www.leclubdesjuristes.com/en-bref/statut-de-refugie-scientifique-une-proposition-de-loi-deposee-a-lassemblee-nationale-10367/

Dorothée Pierry, 26 décembre 2022. La protection subsidiaire : à quoi correspond cette forme d’asile ? Qui est concerné et comment faire une demande ? Aide Sociale.fr. Consulté le 29 avril 2025. Disponible en ligne : https://www.aide-sociale.fr/protection-subsidiaire/