France has a 35-hour legal working week, five weeks of paid leave and a minimum wage (SMIC) of €1,867.02 gross a month since 1 June 2026. Employers find it hardest to recruit in IT, health and care, construction, industry and transport. Find out where to look for a job, how to apply in French and what to do in your first weeks.
A French application usually contains:
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.
Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.