Working in France

Working in France during your studies

At the same time as studying, foreign students are allowed to work in France up to 964 hours per year. Since 1st July 2007, the student residence card replaces the temporary employment authorisation that foreign students needed to apply for in order to get a job.

What the law says

Students from the European Union and European Economic Area are entitled to work while also studying in France if they are enrolled in an establishment giving them access to the student social security scheme.

The residence card marked “student” entitles foreign students from other countries to work in France. There is no longer any need to apply for a temporary authorisation in order to start a job.
Foreign students can also work up to 60% of the statutory annual work time, the equivalent of a maximum of 964 hours per year.

One exception: Algerian students

Algerian students are subject to the Franco-Algerian agreement regarding employment legislation. They must apply for an employment authorisation (APT) at the Direction Départementale du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle (DDTEFP) the closest to their domicile and include an employment offer and employment contract. This authorisation also restricts the length of employment to 50% of the statutory annual work time, roughly the equivalent of 800 hours per year.

If you work more than the authorised number of hours: important remark!
The Préfecture may withdraw your residence card if you work more than 964 hours in the year (or more than roughly 800 hours for Algerian students).

Recruitment procedure

It is the employer who declares the recruitment to the Préfecture at least 2 days prior to the start of the employment.

1. If your employer wants to hire you but doesn’t know what to do: you can help him!
2. Indicate the Préfecture where you obtained your residence card marked “student”: this is where the declaration of recruitment must be sent.
3. It must be sent at least 2 working days before the day you start working.
4. It can be sent by registered letter, e-mail or fax in certain préfectures: you can find full details of the addresses needed here

The declaration must contain:

• the company name or the name and first name of your employer, the address, registered company number (numéro du système d'identification du répertoire des entreprises et de leurs établissements) or else the number used to pay the social security contributions;
• your family name, first name(s), nationality, place and date of birth;
• your residence card number (you must also provide a copy of both sides of your residence card as this must be included with the declaration);
• the type of job, length of the employment contract and number of hours per year;
• the employment start date.

Foreign students employment and the student social security scheme
If you are in employment: in certain cases you do not need to enrol in and pay the contribution to the student social security scheme: you will be covered by the social security scheme of your employer.
For this, the following information must be clearly indicated on your employment contract:

• you are working from 1st October to 30th September of the following year at least;
• you are working less than 60 hours per month (or 20 hours per week) or 120 hours per quarter.

If you have any questions

• contact the nearest Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM). Details on the site Amélie, under "espace assuré";
• contact the SMENO by telephone on 36 20 say SMENO (Monday to Friday from 9h to 18 h, calls cost 0.12 € per minute from a landline phone).