2. Working hours and minimum wage in France
In France, a standard workweek is 35 hours. Employees can’t work:
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10+ hours daily
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48+ hours weekly
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44+ hours per week averaged over a consecutive 12-week period
Employees get an 11-hour daily rest period and a 35-hour weekly rest period. After six hours of work, a 20-minute break is required.
Overtime is anything over 35 hours per week. The first eight overtime hours are paid at 125%. Any hours after that are paid at 150%. CBAs can set higher rates, but never less than a 10% premium. The overtime limit is 220 hours per employee annually. CBAs can change these limits and overtime pay rules.
As of 2025, the national minimum wage in France is EUR 1,801.80 per month. CBAs can set a higher minimum wage. Employees in France are paid once at the end of each month.
3. Paid leave and holidays in France
Employees get at least five weeks of paid vacation annually. More time off is possible based on seniority or CBAs.
France has 11 national holidays. Labor Day on May 1 is the only compulsory national holiday that all employees get off. However, in practice, these are negotiated by CBAs and most employees get all 11 national holidays off:
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New Year’s Day
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Easter Monday
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Labor Day
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Victory in Europe Day
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Ascension Day
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Whit Monday
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Bastille Day
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Assumption Day
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All Saints’ Day
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Armistice Day
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Christmas Day
If sick, employees need a doctor’s note within 48 hours. Without one, it’s unjustified leave. Sick pay usually starts on the fourth day. Both social security and the employer cover sick pay. The amount is based on length of service.
4. Maternity and paternity leave in France
All pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave, regardless of contract type or length of service.
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For the first or second child: 16 weeks (6 weeks before birth and 10 weeks after)
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For the third child or more: 26 weeks (8 before and 18 after)
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For twins: 34 weeks (12 before and 22 after)
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For triplets or more: 46 weeks (24 before and 22 after)
French Social Security (CPAM) pays maternity leave allowances. Dismissal protection applies from the moment the employer is notified of the pregnancy, throughout maternity leave, and for 10 weeks after return.
Fathers or second parents (including spouses, PACS (pacte civil de solidarité) partners, or cohabiting partners) get.
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Three working days of birth leave paid by the employer
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25 calendar days of paternity and childcare leave (32 for multiple births) paid by Social Security
The first four days of paternity leave are mandatory and must follow the birth leave. The remaining days can be split into two periods of at least five days each. They must be taken within six months of the birth.
Either parent with at least one year of service at the time of birth or adoption can take parental leave. Parental leave is for up to one year and can be renewed twice until the child’s third birthday or three years after adoption. Parental leave is usually unpaid.
5. Taxes and social welfare programs in France
France has a progressive income tax system, meaning higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes. Employers deduct this tax from employees’ paychecks.
Employees and employers contribute to France’s comprehensive social security system. This covers healthcare, family benefits, unemployment, workplace accidents, and pensions. Employees contribute around 22% of their gross salary. Employers contribute 43%. These rates can vary.
France’s healthcare system is mainly government-funded through social security. While the state covers most healthcare costs, patients pay a portion. This is reimbursed by private health insurance. Employers are required to give supplementary health insurance to all employees. Employers have to pay at least 50% of the premium to cover out-of-pocket expenses.
Top hiring hubs in France
Some cities in France are known for particular industries. Knowing what each city has to offer allows you to focus your hiring efforts in the right place and fill roles faster.
The top talent hubs in France are:
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Paris is the capital and largest city in France. Paris and its surrounding regions have the highest volume of jobs. Paris is the country’s top center for finance, technology, fashion, luxury goods, and international business.
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Lyon is a major economic and skilled talent hub in southeastern France. It’s known for its banking, pharmaceuticals, biotech, and digital industries. Lyon is consistently ranked as a top city for living and working in France.
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Toulouse is known as the aerospace capital of Europe. Airbus, Thales, and the CNES Space Center are located here. It’s a top hiring spot for engineers.
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Bordeaux is a UNESCO-listed city famous for wine. Agri-food, aerospace, and digital technology are other strong sectors in the city. Renowned companies like Ford and Michelin have operations here.
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Marseille is France’s largest port city. It’s known for logistics, shipping, trade, and tourism, with growing opportunities in the tech and services industry.
Key industries in France
Understanding France’s main industries allows you to benchmark salaries and benefits. You can use this insight to make smart choices about where to invest and grow your workforce.
The main industries in France include:
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Aerospace and aviation: France is a global leader in aerospace. The country is known for manufacturing commercial aircraft, satellites, and defense equipment. Airbus and Dassault Aviation are major companies located in France. Specialist talent includes engineers, technicians, and R&D specialists.
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Automotive: France produces vehicles, automotive parts, and is active in research and development for electric and autonomous vehicles. Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën are major manufacturers here. Specialist talent includes engineers, designers, and supply chain experts.
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Luxury goods and fashion: France is a global leader in luxury goods, fashion, and cosmetics industries. LVMH, Chanel, Hermès, and L’Oréal are leading world brands. Specialist talent includes creative designers, luxury brand management experts, and product development and merchandising specialists.
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Agri-food and wine: France is a major producer and exporter of agricultural products and processed foods. It’s especially famous for its wine and cheese industries. Large farms in northern France produce wheat and other grains. Specialist talent includes agronomists, food scientists, and biotechnologists.
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Pharmaceuticals and healthcare: France has a strong pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector. The country is a leader in medical research and healthcare services. Sanofi and Servier are big companies located here. Specialist talent includes pharmaceutical researchers, quality assurance and control professionals, and medical device engineers.
The cost of hiring an employee in France
Whether you’re hiring one employee or an entire team in France, expenses are inevitable. Budget for the following:
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Setting up an entity (unless you partner with an employer of record)
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Advertising job positions
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Paying referral bonuses to employees with connections in France
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Paying an in-house hiring committee
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Traveling to and from France, including hotel stays, meals, and transportation
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Partnering with a translator to draft documents or facilitate conversations (if applicable)
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Using a background check service for screening candidates
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Drafting compliant employment contracts, legal review, and consultation with HR and legal experts
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Costs for providing computers, phones, and software licenses
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Expenses for onboarding materials and initial training
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Costs for maintaining required tax and payroll records and documentation
According to G-P Verified Sources fromGia, the employer burden rate in France, which includes costs triggered on top of salaries, ranges from 40–45%, excluding accident insurance that can vary.