Hire in France
Streamline your international hiring in France with our expert support.
We understand the complexities of navigating French labor law, URSSAF compliance, and social security requirements. Our comprehensive solution ensures a smooth and efficient experience for your expansion into Europe's second-largest economy.
Expedited onboarding in just 2-3 days
Facts and statistics
France is located in Western Europe and is the largest country in the European Union by land area, with a population of over 68 million people.
As the world's seventh-largest economy, France is a global leader in aerospace, luxury goods, tourism, nuclear energy, and agriculture. The country boasts a highly educated workforce, excellent infrastructure, and a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
France ranks highly on the Human Development Index and offers exceptional quality of life, making it an attractive destination for international companies seeking to access European markets and benefit from France's strategic location as a gateway to both European and African markets.
Capital
Paris
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Languages
French
Number of inhabitants
68,000,000
Ease of doing business
Very simple
Payroll frequency
Monthly
VAT - standard rate
20%
Timezone
GMT+1 (GMT+2 in summer)
Why France is an attractive option for hiring
France offers a dynamic business environment with a highly educated, multilingual workforce and a strong culture of innovation. As one of Europe's largest economies and a global leader in luxury goods, aerospace, technology, and pharmaceuticals, France provides access to world-class talent across diverse industries.
The country's strategic location at the heart of Europe, excellent infrastructure, and well-developed transportation networks make it an ideal gateway to European markets. France's commitment to research and development, supported by generous R&D tax credits and world-renowned universities, creates an innovation-friendly ecosystem.
French workers are known for their creativity, technical expertise, and strong educational background. The country's excellent work-life balance, comprehensive social benefits, and rich cultural heritage make it an attractive destination for international talent. With competitive costs, a stable legal framework, and government support for business growth, France offers an excellent environment for companies looking to establish a European presence.
Employee Benefits
Effortlessly manage customized employee perks through our user-friendly online dashboard. Enhance your benefits program, all in just a few minutes.
French Social Security (Sécurité Sociale)
URSSAF Contributions
Unemployment Insurance
Complementary Health Insurance
Our Comprehensive Guide to Hiring in France
Explore the tabs below to gain in-depth insights into the process of hiring an employee in France.
Annual Leave (Congés Payés)
In France, employees are entitled to a minimum of 5 weeks (25 working days) of paid annual leave per year. Leave accrues at a rate of 2.5 days per month worked. The reference period runs from June 1st to May 31st. French employees also benefit from RTT (Réduction du Temps de Travail) days in many companies, providing additional time off.
Maternity Leave (Congé Maternité)
Expecting mothers in France are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave for the first and second child (6 weeks before and 10 weeks after birth), extended to 26 weeks for the third child and subsequent births. During this period, employees receive benefits from social security (Sécurité Sociale) typically covering 100% of salary up to a ceiling.
Paternity Leave (Congé Paternité)
Fathers or second parents in France are entitled to 28 days of paternity leave (extended to 35 days for multiple births), which must be taken within 6 months of the child's birth. This includes 4 mandatory days. Paternity leave is paid by social security at the same rate as maternity leave.
Parental Leave (Congé Parental)
Each parent can take up to 1 year of unpaid parental leave (renewable up to 3 times until the child's 3rd birthday). Parents may choose full-time or part-time parental leave. While unpaid by the employer, parents may be eligible for the PreParE allowance from the CAF (Family Allowance Fund).
Sick Leave (Arrêt Maladie)
In France, after a 3-day waiting period (délai de carence), sick employees receive benefits from social security at 50% of their daily wage. Most collective bargaining agreements (conventions collectives) require employers to top up this amount to maintain a percentage of the employee's normal salary, often reaching 90-100% after deducting social security payments.
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