Wondering how to find a job in France?
Considering a move to the beautiful country of France? There’s so much to admire in France’s culture, whether you envision yourself sipping rosé in the French Riviera or taking a stroll around Paris’ charming neighborhoods.
RELATED READ: 16 Best Coworking Spaces In Paris
Getting a job lined up before you make the big move should be on your mind as you daydream about relaxing in Saint-Tropez or spending your weekends in Bordeaux. This may be a complicated procedure, but we’re here to help you.
Learn about the visa process, specific requirements by French businesses, and how to find a job in France in our guide below.
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How To Find A Job In France
Working in France: What To Expect
Perhaps you’re considering whether or not it would be a good idea to take a job in France. What kind of pay can you expect to receive?
Why do you think it’s a good idea to look for work in this country? What should you anticipate most about the office setting and culture? Take a look below to find out more about working in France.
Average / Minimum Salary
In France, the term “smicard” is used to refer to someone who earns the minimum wage, which is officially known as the “salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance” (SMIC).
The SMIC can encompass not only the employee’s base wage but also any additional compensation they may receive, such as bonuses or perks. Compensation for overtime, travel time, or other bonuses is not included.
In 2022, the average pay in France is €2,340 net per month, which is equivalent to a gross annual salary of €39,300, as reported by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).
Maximum Working Hours & Overtime Laws in France
- Regular Working Hours – Standard work hours in France are from 8 or 9 am to 4 or 5 pm, including a one-hour unpaid lunch break. But the specifics of this will depend on the nature of the organization and the contracts it has in place.
The average number of hours per week is 35. (7 hours a day, five days a week). If you work more than the allotted amount of hours, you will be entitled to overtime pay.
The maximum number of hours an employee can work per week is strictly regulated by legislation in France. Except as otherwise provided in the collective agreement, employees are limited to a maximum of 10 hours of work per day and 44 hours per week (based on an average of 12 weeks of work).
- Payment for Extra Time Worked – Extra time spent at the office above the standard 35-hour workweek is considered overtime.
In cases where there is a formal agreement in place, overtime pay is guaranteed to be no less than 110% of the base salary.
Unless otherwise agreed upon, employees should be paid 125% of their regular rate for the first eight hours of overtime and 150% for each hour worked over 40.
- Night Work – A collective bargaining agreement that allows night work (often between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.) and that stipulates the payment and/or time off is in effect. It has a maximum capacity of 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, or 12 weeks.
- Evening Work – The Loi Macron allows stores selling goods or services in designated international tourist areas to remain open past midnight.
Workers who put in evening shifts receive premium compensation and a means of getting home quickly and easily.
Office Culture
It’s important to keep in mind that while company cultures differ by country, those in France tend to be fairly formal and conventional.
- Dropping by abruptly to discuss work-related topics can sometimes be seen as rude, as appointments are normally arranged for all business matters.
- When a meeting is scheduled, everyone usually has plenty of notice to be ready. Notice periods average around two weeks.
- When meeting someone for the first time, it’s customary to address them as Monsieur or Madame before transitioning to using their given names.
People in professional settings typically exchange handshakes, while they save the kiss for more personal greetings.
- It’s impolite to show up late for a meeting. Punctuality is highly valued, yet most employers understand delays of up to 10 minutes. However, if you are a new employee, you shouldn’t count on this until necessary.
- France’s business culture emphasizes “working hard” above everything else. The typical workday runs from 9 am to 6 pm, with a lunch break of anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Working late into the night is a frequent practice when pressing deadlines demand it.
- There are clearer boundaries between employees in terms of roles and seniority, and fewer opportunities for employees to get to know one another outside of work.
Compared to the more usual business lunch, after-work cocktails are less common in French workplaces.
Is It Easy To Find A Job in France?
The short answer is No, as it is challenging to get a job in France.
To begin, similar to other countries, France is worried about an influx of illegal immigrants. There are a lot of people that travel to France from other, less developed nations in search of both legitimate and illegal employment opportunities.
Due to the country’s high unemployment rate, the French government is reluctant to hire foreigners. Instead, they prefer to hire French citizens.
With that said, let’s look at the steps necessary to gain employment authorization in France.
Who Can Work in France?
In France, a work visa is not required for citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland. Your chances of being permitted to work in France without a work visa improve if you have a family member already living there who has a permit for a certain sort of highly skilled work.
To work in France, almost everyone else needs a work permit. This approval is necessary before they may issue a visa.
This is something the potential employer will handle on your behalf. Find a job first, because your employer will have to file the paperwork to let you work.
How Can A Foreigner Get A Job In France?
In most cases, a work permit is required regardless of how long you want to stay. Some employers will offer to apply for a visa on their candidates’ behalf if one is not already in place.
It’s best to get started as soon as possible because the process could take up to three months. However, there are some notable deviations: The need for a work visa is not necessary for Swiss or EU citizens.
Foreign nationals still need a visa to come and remain in France, even if they have a work permit. A long-stay visa and work permit will allow you to stay and work in France for a minimum of three months and a maximum of twelve months.
You’ll need to apply for a residence permit if you plan on staying longer than a year. It is possible to obtain permanent residency with certain long-stay visas. If you know you want to stay for the long haul, this strategy may pay off.
Requirements To Work In France
Language
If you want to work in France, you’ll need to be able to speak French fluently. Even if the position only requires native-level fluency in one language, you’ll still need to be able to communicate in French. You might have to take a French test or demonstrate your proficiency in some positions.
Learning French will help your employment prospects even if you work for a global company in France where English is the spoken language. If your French skills aren’t quite up to par, working as an English teacher in France could help fund your studies at a language institute.
Qualifications to work in France
The educational credentials of citizens of countries that have joined the Bologna Process (most European countries and the UK) will be recognized in France.
Anyone from outside of France can use the Centre ENIC-NARIC France to see if their foreign credentials will be accepted in the country.
Examining the European Commission’s database can also tell you if your profession is regulated (i.e., if you need to obtain any special licenses or certifications to practice it) in France.
France’s Work Visa
There may be slight variations in the standards from one country to the next. Therefore, you must gather the necessary documentation per the norms of your native country. Applying for a work visa in France requires the following documents:
- Completed Application Form for a French Work Visa. Please be accurate and forthright in your responses.
- Two Image Files/photographs. They can’t be more than three months old.
- A legitimate passport belonging to you Before applying, make sure your passport is still valid and that it was issued no more than six months ago. There must be at least two unused pages in the passport before the visa can be affixed.
- Proven means of support When applying for a visa to France, you will need to provide proof of financial support to the French government. For this reason, please provide the following materials as part of this requirement:
- Recent financial records
- Having a signed employment contract specifying your remuneration is required if you wish to work in France.
- Income from a rental property.
- The retirement benefit scheme
- A letter from a sponsor attesting that they have the financial resources to fund your expenses throughout your stay, and proof that they do (i.e., bank statements of the last 3 months, or other).
- Additional proof that you can financially sustain yourself for your whole stay in France.
- proof that you do not have any pending criminal charges in your criminal history certificate
- Proof of paid French work visa fee.
How To Apply For A Work Permit In France
- Working for less than 90 days
Working in France for less than 90 days requires a temporary work permit, which your company is responsible for obtaining on your behalf.
If you are a scientist, researcher, or teacher, your employer will need this from the French Ministry of Labor, the DIRECCTE (Direction régionale des Entreprises, de la concurrence et de la consommation, du travail et de l’emploi), or a convention d’accueil certified by the local prefecture (French local authority/administrative office). You’ll need to submit this approval when applying for a visa at the French embassy.
Unless you are a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland, you will require a short-stay work visa to work in France for fewer than 90 days.
- Working for more than 90 days
You need a long-stay work visa to work in France for more than 90 days, also known as your residency card. To register as an employee in France, your company will draft a contract and submit it to the appropriate regional labor ministry office.
The employer is obligated to initiate the process for any family members who will be joining you. If the DIRRECTE gives its stamp of approval to the contract, it is forwarded to the French Ministry of Immigration and Integration (OFII).
Your local French embassy will get the contract once it has been approved by OFII. The next step is to obtain an invitation to apply for a long-stay visa in person at the embassy.
Don’t forget to bring your passport, application, and any other required paperwork. It is mandatory to report to the French Immigration and Integration Office (OFII) upon arrival (OFII).
How long does it take to get a work permit in France?
Obtaining a work permit for a short stay typically takes between 5 and 12 days to complete. Obtaining a work visa for an extended stay in France can take some time. Approximately six weeks is the typical length of time.
Where To Find A Job In France
People seeking work in France have access to several different online resources to help them in their search. You just need to respond to job posts and recruiters and upload your cover letter and CV, which should highlight your most recent work experience.
You can find openings in your field by being familiar with several platforms, which can help you in your search. The following are some common sites to look for employment:
One of the most notable employers in all of France is the APEC organization. Event recent college grads have options for work, including management-level positions in a variety of fields. Visit the APEC website to assess your qualifications and submit an application.
Jobs in Paris can be just what you’re looking for if your French isn’t very good. This online employment portal in English covers a wide range of fields, including education, healthcare, and freelance work, among others.
You’ve probably spotted a Pôle Emploi office on your travels in France. French officials maintain a database of job seekers and those who are currently unemployed.
If you’re an approved employer in France, you can benefit from Pôle Emploi’s streamlined and effective services. Type in your location to see all the local job postings.
New job postings are being updated often, so keep checking back. However, functional knowledge of French is required for the vast majority of these positions.
Tips On How To Find A Job in France for Foreigners
Whether you’re a newcomer or a long-time resident of France, here are a few things to bear in mind while you search for a job in the country:
- Determine which occupations are in demand in France.
The health care sector, the wholesale and retail sector, and the manufacturing sector are currently the most sought-after employers.
There are the most openings for workers in the construction industry, followed by the hospitality and food service industries, and finally the professional services sector.
- Take the time to prepare.
Understanding the distinctions between CDIs and CDDs, as well as between management and non-management roles, and the French employment and tax systems are essential if you plan to work in France.
- Stay connected
It’s great to sign up with as many agencies as possible and send out as many resumes as you can, but don’t neglect the basics. Meet new people and get to know the world. Jobs for foreigners in France are commonly offered by other foreigners, not at an interview but over a beer.
Additionally, be on the lookout for any ex-pat gatherings, such as a pub quiz or a planned get-together. These are simple approaches to breaking the ice and starting a conversation.
- Gather your documents
Getting your paperwork in order ahead of time will help reduce stress levels during the job search. This is especially true in France, where red tape can be thicker than anywhere else. Keep your passport, previous pay stubs, carte vitale (health card), work paperwork, visas, and bills (utility, water, and cable), as well as a copy of your resume, in a folder at all times.
- Be patient
Like in any foreign nation, it might be challenging to find work in France. Fortunately, despite what some may tell you, it is not impossible. It’s possible that holding out for the perfect career opportunity pays off in the end.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.