Employment Opportunity

Just like many other countries, students can work for twenty hours for weekdays and forty hours for weekends.

People from Non-EU countries will get the employment opportunity only if they obtain a residence permit.At least one should have a temporary resident's card for students. Ability to speak, read, and writes French is a must.

One can find the employment through local media. Local media and local job centers are the main sources to find employment. Here they are known as the ANPE (pronounced Are Enn Pay Euh) or "Pole Employ".

Employers require their identity proof and evidence of their right to work. Also a hand written contract should be submitted, irrespective of the nature of work. Opening a bank account in France is needed, since employers are likely to pay all kinds of wages by cheque or through a bank draft. This is obligatory for any employee earning over 1500 € a month.

Social Security (French National Health Service) contributions

Employees with a French work contract will get a 10% deduction from their take-home pay in the form of social security contributions (covering your right to health care, retirement, unemployment benefit and other advantages). However, Income tax will not be deducted, as French income-tax is not deducted at source. Employees should request the local Social Security office for a Social Security Number. The process may take a couple of months. In the meanwhile you will be provided with a temporary SSN. It allows you to benefit fully from subsidized health care, sickness, injury and other social security rights.

Work contracts

In France, Employment is of two types; they are temporary contracts and open-ended contracts. Contract Duration Determine holds most of the new jobs, where the employee's contract can be terminated or renewed at the end of the contract. In a CDD at total period of employment cannot exceed more than 18 months.

Self Employment

Before 2009, setting up as self employed (enterprise individually) in France was an expensive and complex process. It required flat-rate Social Security contributions. But since 2009, things have got much easier and fairer. As per the new "régime de l'autoentrepreneur" (or self-employed entrepreneur scheme), all tax and social security payments due are based on actual earnings. It is a pay-as-you-earn self employment system.

This is a self-employee friendly scheme and anyone whose annual income does not exceed €32,000 for service activities can opt for this.