A Commission staff working document published on 24 June 2026 assesses France's digital performance against the EU's 2030 Digital Decade targets, finding mixed progress. The report, accompanying the State of the Digital Decade 2026 communication, highlights strong assets in fibre coverage, digital skills, and AI ecosystems, but notes significant gaps in SME digitalisation, ICT specialist numbers, and digital public services.
France set 9 of 14 possible national targets, all aligned with EU 2030 goals, and 50% of its 2025 trajectory points are on track. The country addressed 67% of the six Commission recommendations from 2025, with 33% showing significant policy changes. By end 2026, 27% of roadmap measures will end; the total public budget for these measures is EUR 3.15 billion. Notably, 72% of French people consider digital policy a very high or high priority for the EU.
very high-capacity network (VHCN) coverage reached 91.74% (EU average: 85.54%), fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) coverage 91.74% (EU: 74.13%), and basic 5G coverage 96.44% (EU: 96.79%). However, 5G SIM cards as a share of population stand at 41.23%, well below the EU average of 55.55%. France also excels in AI ecosystems, with a vibrant startup scene and research output.
Weaknesses are concentrated in digital adoption by businesses and the workforce. Only 52.0% of SMEs have at least basic digital intensity, far below the EU average of 69.4%. AI adoption by businesses is 9.9%, roughly half the EU rate of 18.2%. ICT specialists make up 4.8% of the workforce, slightly below the EU average of 4.9%, and growth has been sluggish. Digital public services for citizens scored 71.2, just under the EU average of 72.0, while services for businesses scored 76.9, above the EU average of 74.6.
France allocates EUR 8.1 billion (22% of its recovery plan) and EUR 2.0 billion (12% of cohesion funding) to the digital transition. The Commission's recommendations focus on accelerating SME digitalisation, expanding the ICT specialist pipeline, boosting AI uptake, improving digital public services, sustaining semiconductor production, and consolidating quantum technology leadership.
French SMEs face pressure to adopt digital tools to avoid falling further behind EU peers, while the government must invest in training and incentives. ICT specialists may see increased demand and policy support. The connectivity sector benefits from continued infrastructure investment. Digital public service users may experience gradual improvements if recommendations are implemented.
The Commission will monitor progress through annual Digital Decade reports. France is expected to update its national roadmap in response to the recommendations, with the next assessment due in 2027.