General Regulations for Student Employment
International students in France are legally permitted to engage in paid employment alongside their studies. This right applies to all students enrolled in an institution that participates in the student social security scheme. The regulation applies to both European Union (EU) nationals and non-EU nationals holding a valid student resident permit (VLS-TS) or a "student" talent passport.
According to French law, international students can work up to 964 hours per year. This represents approximately 60% of the legal annual working time in France. It is important to note that this hourly quota is calculated per year, allowing students to work part-time during the semester and full-time during university holidays (summer or winter breaks).
Note: The 964-hour limit is strictly monitored by the French Ministry of the Interior. Exceeding this limit can result in the withdrawal of your student residence permit.
For more details on visa requirements, you can visit the official Campus France portal.
Minimum Wage and Remuneration
All employees in France, including international students, are entitled to the national minimum wage, known as the SMIC (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance). As of the 2025/2026 period, the gross minimum hourly wage is approximately 11.88 EUR ($12.83 USD, Jan 2026).
When working under a standard contract, students should expect the following financial conditions:
- Gross vs. Net: Social security contributions are deducted from the gross salary. The net amount received by the student is approximately 80% of the gross salary.
- Social Security: Working students are automatically covered by the French healthcare system for workplace-related accidents and general health insurance.
- Paid Leave: Students are entitled to 2.5 days of paid leave per month worked, similar to any other employee in France.
Information regarding current labor rates can be verified on the Service-Public.fr website.
Specific Cases and Exceptions
While the general rule allows most students to work without prior authorization, there are specific exceptions based on nationality and the type of academic program.
Algerian Nationals
Algerian students fall under a specific bilateral agreement (the 1968 Franco-Algerian Accord). Unlike other international students, they are limited to working 50% of the legal annual working time (approximately 850 hours). Furthermore, Algerian students must apply for a Temporary Work Authorization (Autorisation Provisoire de Travail - APT) before starting any job.
Student Internships
Internships (stages) that are a mandatory part of a degree program are not considered "work" in the sense of the 964-hour quota. Key rules for internships include:
- Convention de Stage: A tripartite agreement must be signed by the student, the employer, and the educational institution.
- Gratification: If the internship lasts longer than two months (44 days or 308 hours), the employer is legally required to pay a minimum "gratification." For 2025/2026, this is approximately 4.35 EUR ($4.70 USD, Jan 2026) per hour of effective presence.
Apprenticeships
Students on an alternance (apprenticeship or professionalization contract) have a different status. They work more than the 60% limit because their employment is an integral part of their training. In this case, specific work permits are integrated into their residency status.
Administrative Steps for Students
To ensure compliance with French labor laws, students and employers must complete several administrative steps upon hiring:
- Employer Declaration: The employer must notify the Prefecture that issued the student's residence permit at least 48 hours before the start date of the contract.
- Social Security Registration: If it is the student's first job in France, they must register with the Assurance Maladie to receive a social security number (NIR).
- Tax Identification: Working students must declare their income to the French tax authorities annually, even if their total income falls below the taxable threshold.
For official administrative procedures and declarations, students should consult the URSSAF official website.