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Starting a Job in France

Sort out your contract, payslip and perks in your first weeks at a French company, then chat about it with a colleague.

Non-EU workers need a titre de séjour that allows work, while EU citizens can start straight away. French salaries are quoted gross (brut) and usually per year, income tax is taken at source from your pay, and every private employer must offer a company mutuelle and pay at least half of it. Full-time jobs give five weeks of paid leave, many offices add RTT days for weeks over 35 hours, and HR will ask for your RIB to pay you.

Two colleagues collaborating on a project in a bright, modern office space.
Photo: Yan Krukau on Pexels
  1. 1

    Je viens d'arriver en France pour le travail.

    I've just arrived in France for work.

  2. 2

    J'ai un titre de séjour valable deux ans.

    I have a residence permit valid for two years.

  3. 3

    J'attends encore mon numéro de sécurité sociale.

    I'm still waiting for my social security number.

  4. 4

    C'est un CDI ou un CDD ?

    Is it a permanent contract or a fixed-term one?

  5. 5

    La période d'essai dure combien de temps ?

    How long is the trial period?

  6. 6

    À qui j'envoie mon RIB ?

    Who do I send my bank details to?

  7. 7

    La mutuelle d'entreprise est obligatoire ?

    Is the company health insurance compulsory?

  8. 8

    On a des tickets resto sur une carte.

    We get meal vouchers on a card.

  9. 9

    J'ai droit à combien de jours de congé par an ?

    How many days off am I entitled to a year?

  10. 10

    Est-ce qu'on a des RTT ?

    Do we get extra days off for working over 35 hours?

    Tip: These extra rest days are named after the 35-hour-week law.

  11. 11

    L'impôt est prélevé directement sur le salaire.

    Tax is taken straight from your salary.

  12. 12

    Je ne comprends pas ma fiche de paie.

    I don't understand my payslip.

  13. 13

    C'est en brut ou en net ?

    Is that gross or net?

  14. 14

    Est-ce que je peux faire du télétravail certains jours ?

    Can I work from home some days?

  15. 15

    On peut se tutoyer ?

    (to a colleague) Shall we call each other tu?

  16. 16

    Ici, on déjeune vers quelle heure, en général ?

    What time do people usually have lunch here?

  17. 17

    J'ai mis du temps à m'y habituer.

    It took me a while to get used to it.

  18. 18

    La paperasse ici, c'est l'enfer.

    The paperwork here is a nightmare.

  19. 19

    Chez moi, on travaille différemment.

    Back home, we work differently.

  20. 20

    Je compte rester au moins trois ans.

    I'm planning to stay at least three years.