Work in France

Known as one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, France is home to Paris, the sandy beaches and blue waters of the French Riviera, the spectacular ski slopes of the Alps and the Pyrenees, and world‑famous landmarks such as Sainte‑Chapelle, Cathédrale Notre‑Dame and Mont Saint‑Michel.

With a population of around 68.6 million, France is the third‑largest economy in Europe and offers workers a competitive statutory minimum wage, generous paid leave and strong social protections.

Jobs in France

Major contributors to the French economy include:

• agriculture
• banking and insurance
• energy
• food processing
• information technology
• manufacturing
• transport.

The country is also renowned for its luxury goods, fashion and cosmetics industries.

Many large and multinational companies are based in France, including:

• Airbus
• AXA
• Chanel
• Citroën
• Danone
• L'Oréal
• LVMH
• Michelin
• Peugeot
• Renault
• Total
• Ubisoft.

Tourism is a vital part of the French economy, so you'll easily find seasonal jobs at campsites or ski resorts, while there are also opportunities to teach English as a foreign language.

Search for jobs in France at:

• France Travail (in French) - French national employment agency website
• Indeed France (in French)
• The Local France - English-language jobs in France
• Monster France (in French)
• Reed - Jobs in France

Skills shortages

France's unemployment rate has risen in recent years to around 7.9%, reflecting challenges in some job markets.

If you're a foreign worker who can speak French and have strong commercial, numeracy and technical skills, your chances of finding work are improved, especially in areas with labour shortages such as:

• construction
• engineering
• healthcare
• IT
• science and research.

How to get a job in France

Applications are typically submitted by email, online forms, or post. You should prepare both a CV and a cover letter in French, even when applying for English-speaking roles.

A French CV for a junior role should usually be no longer than one page. It should include:

• language proficiency
• work experience (in reverse chronological order)
• education.

Avoid unexplained gaps in your employment or education history.

Your cover letter should be concise and tailored to the role. Academic transcripts are not usually included at this stage but may be requested later.

Recruitment processes can be rigorous, sometimes involving multiple interview stages.

Employers expect candidates to be well prepared, punctual, and professionally dressed. French workplaces tend to be relatively formal and hierarchical.

Speculative applications and networking are also common and can improve your chances of success.

Summer jobs

There are many opportunities in hospitality and tourism during peak seasons, especially in cities such as Paris, Montpellier, and Nice. Roles are available in hotels, bars, cafés, and restaurants.

You could also:

• work at campsites through companies such as Canvas Holidays or Eurocamp
• take seasonal agricultural jobs (e.g. grape picking)
• work in ski resorts during the winter season.

As a foreign worker, you'll be paid at least the French statutory minimum wage (SMIC), which is €12.02 (£10.39) per hour (2026).

Visit One World 365 and SeasonWorkers.com to search for seasonal jobs in France.

You can also find voluntary placements through:

• AIESEC UK
• European Voluntary Service (EVS)
• GoAbroad.com - Volunteer abroad

Teaching jobs

There's a high demand for English teachers in France, as the country looks to keep ties with the English-speaking jobs market.

To apply to the British Council English Language Assistants (ELA) programme you need to be a native English speaker, with a good standard of French (B1 - equivalent to A-level) and have completed two years of your degree. You don't need a TEFL qualification to participate in the scheme.

To find and secure other positions teaching English in France you'll likely need a TEFL qualification. Opportunities exist in private and state schools, language colleges, town halls, universities or within a company, teaching business English to employees.

Featured organisations

Internships

Internships in France, known as 'stages', typically last up to six months and can be extended for another six with proper agreements. They require a Convention de Stage signed by you, your university and the host employer, which specifies your start and end dates, working hours and responsibilities during the internship.

Aim to apply for an internship as early as five months in advance, in the same way you would a job - by submitting a CV and cover letter electronically or by post. You can search for opportunities via:

• Go Overseas - Internships in France
• GoAbroad.com - Internships in France
• iAgora

French visas

If you're a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, or a Swiss or Croatian national, you won't need a visa or permit to work in France. You're also no longer required to register as a resident once you arrive, as long as you possess a valid EU passport and are:

• employed
• self-employed
• a student
• a family member of an EU citizen
• unemployed, but with sufficient funds for your stay.

If you need to register your residence, you can do so at your local town hall in France.

Non-EU/EEA citizens, including those from the UK, will need a permit to work in France. Your employer looks after this procedure, so you'll need a confirmation of employment before the process can begin.

Once you've found a job, apply for a long stay visa through the French embassy or consulate in your home country - for UK citizens, this would be the French Embassy in London.

You'll need to apply for a residence permit within three months of your arrival in France. This will then be valid for up to five years and must be renewed three months before it expires.

If you obtain a Masters degree in France, you'll get a non-renewable additional permit for one year while working at least 60% of the normal working week. If by that time you acquire a job with at least 50% more than the minimum wage, then you may change your status from student to employee and work full time.

Language requirements

Even if you're working in a job that requires speaking English, such as teaching English as a foreign language, you'll still need a good grasp of French to integrate with your community and get by while living in France.

The official French proficiency certificates, DELF and DALF, are awarded by the French Ministry of Education and you may be required to take them to prove your ability to a required standard. You can find out more about both tests at CIEP - DELF-DALF.

How to explain your qualifications to employers

UK qualifications are directly comparable to those in France, so you shouldn't have a problem explaining them to your employers. You can find out more about how qualifications are recognised by visiting ENIC-NARIC.

What it's like to work in France

The standard working week is 35 hours, although many employees work longer hours with additional compensation or time off (RTT days).

Employees are entitled to:

• at least 25 days (five weeks) of paid annual leave
• around 11 public holidays (varies slightly by region).

France also introduced a 'right to disconnect' law, requiring companies with more than 50 employees to negotiate policies limiting out-of-hours work communications.

Workplaces tend to be structured and hierarchical, with clear distinctions between roles and seniority.

Income tax is collected through a pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) system (prélèvement à la source), with progressive tax bands.

Find out more

• Discover what it's like to study in France.
• Visit GOV.UK - Living in France for the latest travel and visa advice.