France

France is a country of 69.1 million people. Its unemployment rate is above the EU average and has been rising slowly – from 7.3% in 2022 to 7.7% in 2025 (EU: 6.0%).

Young people find it harder: youth unemployment is 19.8% among people aged 15–24, compared with 15.2% in the EU. The employment rate is slightly below the EU average: 75.4% of people aged 20–64 have a job (EU: 76.1%).

As an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen you need neither a work permit nor a residence permit – you can look for a job and work on the same terms as French citizens. What you do need for most jobs is French: EURES advises stating your level in reading, writing and speaking in your application.

According to EURES labour market information, French employers have the most difficulty recruiting in these fields:

• ICT – software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity engineers, cloud computing experts,
• health and social care – doctors, nurses, carers,
• construction and public works – builders, electricians, plumbers, site managers,
• industry and engineering – engineers, technicians, automation and maintenance specialists,
• commerce and sales – sales representatives, shop managers, online sales staff,
• transport and logistics – drivers, logistics managers, forklift operators.

The occupational groups most often in shortage include science and engineering technicians, building trades workers and metal and machinery workers. In France Travail’s annual employer survey on recruitment needs (BMO), more than 6 out of 10 employers expected recruitment difficulties in 2024.

Vacancies are published by the public employment service France Travail, on company websites and through temporary employment agencies. Start here:

• France Travail job offers – hundreds of thousands of vacancies; France Travail can also be reached on 3949 (from abroad: +33 1 77 86 39 49),
• La bonne boîte – shows companies with a high potential to hire, so you can send them a spontaneous application,
• Choisir le service public – vacancies in the state, local and hospital public services,
• APEC – jobs and advice for managers and professionals (cadres),
• EURES – the EU job portal, plus EURES advisers in France and in your home country.

For step-by-step advice on job search, CVs and interviews in any EU country, see our How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides.

A French application usually contains:

• a CV of no more than two pages – civil status, the job you want and your strengths, work experience (reverse chronological order is preferred), education, language and computer skills, interests; you can also use the Europass CV,
• a cover letter (lettre de motivation) of no more than one page, usually typed – show your interest in the company and how your profile matches the job.

Apply in French unless the ad says otherwise, and state your level in reading, writing and speaking. Have qualified translations of your diplomas ready. France Travail’s website has online services to help you prepare your CV and applications.

Diplomas: the official information centre on foreign qualifications is ENIC-NARIC France, run by France Éducation international.

• Minimum wage (SMIC): €12.31 gross an hour, i.e. €1,867.02 gross a month for a 35-hour week (€1,477.93 net), since 1 June 2026. The SMIC is raised every year and also automatically during the year if prices rise by at least 2%.
• Working time: the legal working week is 35 hours. Maximum: 10 hours a day, 48 hours in a single week and 44 hours on average over 12 weeks. After 6 hours of work you get a break of at least 20 minutes.
• Overtime (from the 36th hour): +25% for the first 8 hours a week, +50% from the 44th hour. A collective agreement can set other rates, but never below 10%.
• Paid leave: 2.5 working days per month worked – 30 working days (5 weeks) a year – whatever your contract (permanent, fixed-term or temporary).
• Contract: it must state your job, workplace, start date, pay, working hours, leave, notice periods and the collective agreement (convention collective) that applies.
• Payslip: you are paid monthly and get a payslip with gross and net pay and all deductions.

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland can work in France without any permit, like French students.

• Internships (stages): if your internship lasts more than 2 consecutive months (44 days at 7 hours a day) – or more than 309 hours in the same academic year – the company must pay you an allowance (gratification) of at least €4.50 an hour (2026; 15% of the hourly social security ceiling). It is due from the first day, paid at the end of each month, and is free of income tax up to the amount of the annual SMIC.
• Apprenticeships: apprentices earn between 27% and 100% of the SMIC, depending on their age and year of training.

Students from outside the EU (except Algeria) with a student visa or residence card can work up to 964 hours a year (60% of the legal annual working time) without a separate work permit; the employer must declare them to the prefecture at least 2 working days before they start. Algerian students need a work authorisation and may work up to 50% of the annual working time in the sector.

Thinking of studying there first? See Studying in France – practical information.

1. Residence: as an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen you do not need a residence permit, but you may ask the prefecture for a residence card if you want one. After 5 years of legal residence you have the right to permanent residence.
2. Social security number (numéro de Sécurité sociale, NIR – 13 digits plus a 2-digit key): if you do not have one yet, contact the local health insurance fund (CPAM).
3. Health insurance card: the carte Vitale (also available as an app) holds the information needed to reimburse your medical costs – usually within a week.
4. Tax: income tax is deducted from your salary every month (prélèvement à la source) at a rate set by the tax office; until you have a personal rate, a default rate based on your salary applies. You still have to file an annual tax return. The 2026 income tax scale starts with a 0% band up to €11,600, then 11%.
5. Bank account: salaries are paid monthly, so open a French bank account early.

Problems with your rights as an EU worker? Your Europe Advice and SOLVIT help for free.

If you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, your employer normally needs a work authorisation before hiring you. The main routes:

• Job search after studies: with a master’s degree or equivalent (e.g. licence professionnelle) from a French institution, you can get the residence card “recherche d’emploi ou création d’entreprise” for 1 year (not renewable). Apply within 12 months of your diploma if you live in France, or within 4 years from abroad. You can work during this year; to switch to a work residence card, your job must match your studies and pay more than €2,800.53 gross a month.
• Talent – EU Blue Card (carte de séjour “talent – carte bleue européenne”): for holders of a degree of at least 3 years of higher education or with 5 years of professional experience, with a contract of at least 6 months and a salary of at least €59,373 gross a year (2026). It is issued for up to 4 years.
• Salaried worker card (carte de séjour “salarié”): for other permanent jobs – the employer first applies online for the work authorisation.

All residence permits are explained on service-public.gouv.fr.

• Eurostat – population on 1 January, unemployment by age, employment rate (data for 2025 and 2026), monthly minimum wages,
• EURES – Living and working conditions: France, labour market information: France,
• France Travail – job offers, La bonne boîte,
• Service-public.gouv.fr – SMIC, SMIC increase on 1 June 2026, working time, overtime, paid leave, internship allowance, non-EU students and work, EU citizens: long stay, social security number, withholding tax, income tax scale, job search card after studies, talent card / EU Blue Card, salaried worker card, work authorisation,
• Assurance Maladie – carte Vitale,
• Public service jobs – Choisir le service public; ENIC-NARIC – France,
• Your Europe – working abroad.

Updated: October 2026.