What does a foreigner need to work in France?

The only papers necessary to be able to work are the identity documents of the country in which the nationality is held. However, having a European resident card can simplify some procedures.

 

The free movement of people, goods, and services included in the regulatory acquis of the European Union, recognizes the right of Union nationals to settle in any country of the Union, as long as they can meet their needs and do not represent a threat to public order. The only papers necessary to be able to work are the identity documents of the country in which the nationality is held.

However, having a European resident card can simplify some procedures. This is requested at the Police Prefecture of your place of residence and you must present an employment contract, in its absence salary slips and a “justification of residence” or rent, electricity or gas bills, etc.

You must also register in the Registration Registry of the Spanish Consulate that corresponds to your residence to have access to consular services. See the portal: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/consulados/paris/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx

Labor Relations

Labor relations are governed by general regulations, the Labor Code, and a collection of collective agreements between employers and the different unions, and company agreements (these take precedence over the industry agreement on some issues).

The legal effective full-time working time is 35 hours per week, for all companies regardless of the number of workers. This is a reference time from which, with some exceptions, the overtime hours are calculated.

It is neither a minimum time (workers can be hired part-time) nor a maximum: overtime must be carried out respecting the maximum authorized schedule.

You can complete this information on the portal of the French Ministry of Labour, Employment, Vocational Training and Social Dialogue, and in particular at this link http://travail-emploi.gouv.fr/droit-du-travail/temps-de-travail -et-conges/temps-de-travail/article/la-duree-legale-du-travail

Workers have the right to annual leave for two and a half working days per month worked, that is, 30 working days (when counting Saturdays, they correspond to five weeks) for twelve months of effective work (it is counted in most sectors from June 1 of the previous year until May 31 of the current year).

It should be noted that there are numerous collective agreements that improve the situation.

http://travail-emploi.gouv.fr/droit-du-travail/temps-de-travail-et-conges/conges-et-absences/article/les-conges-payes

Work Market

Through this link, you can access the latest national figures on the unemployment situation in France, although it should be taken into account that it is diverse at the regional and provincial level since the industrial and service fabric is very diversified.

Therefore, the above figures must be weighted with the corresponding ones by province https://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/theme.asp?theme=3

Wages

The amount of the minimum wage (SMIC) is set, as of  August 1, 2022, at 11.07 euros gross per hour, which is equivalent to 1,678 euros gross per month based on the legal duration of the working day. 35 hours per week (that's  1,329.06 euros net ). In Mayotte, the amount of the gross SMIC per hour is set at 8.35 euros.

Confusion between the SMIC and the guaranteed minimum must be avoided. This second is not a reference salary, but rather an element that serves to evaluate benefits in kind in some cases, professional expenses, social assistance benefits, etc. Its amount is revalued according to the modalities defined in article L. 3231-12 of the Labor Code. It has been set at 3.94 euros on August 1, 2022.

Since January 2019, French income tax has been withheld from salaries.