Living and working conditions: France

Finding a job

OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE DESIRED JOB

The employer’s name is given in the job ad or you are sending an unsolicited application: obtain information about the employer in order to adapt your Curriculum Vitae and cover letter and prepare for your interview.

Information to search for: sector of activity, company values, workforce, turnover, market share, name of a specific contact (unsolicited application), etc.
Where can you find this information?
- On the internet by visiting the employer’s website and by using search engines.
- In the business directory: www.pagesjaunes.fr
- Through the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in your country: www.uccife.org

The employer’s name is not given: work on your application by adapting your CV and/or cover letter based on the terms used in the job ad.

WORK ON YOUR APPLICATION TOOLS

A ‘CV’ (Curriculum Vitae), which should be no more than two pages in length, usually contains the following sections:

Civil status: First name, SURNAME, address, telephone number (with the international dialling code) and email address. Marital status, age and nationality (if you a national from the European Economic Area) are optional.
Title: State the desired position, possibly including your strengths, for example: ‘TRILINGUAL SALES ASSISTANT – French-English-Spanish’.
Work experience: include one paragraph per job, noting the dates, the position held, the company name, the economic sector and location, and detailing your responsibilities, tasks, results and the skills you applied. Your CV can be arranged in reverse chronological order (giving the last job first), in chronological order (from your first to your last job, which is used less and less), by skill (covering several jobs) or a combination of the above (by skill, with the company names and dates).
Education: give the dates when you obtained your qualifications and their equivalent in the French educational system. See this website ‘4. Living conditions 4.7 Educational systems’.
Language and computer skills: for languages, give your mother tongue. For French, specify your reading, writing and speaking levels.
Another section (often entitled ‘Interests’): if you have already stayed in France, do not hesitate to mention it.

For more information, go to the Pôle Emploi website, specifically the ‘Vos services en ligne’ section [Your online services] via the following link: https://www.pole-emploi.fr/candidat/mes-services-en-ligne-@/index.jspz?id=77399

AN APPLICATION LETTER (cover letter), which should be no more than one page in length, is usually typed (applications are increasingly being sent by email). It allows you to show why you are interested in the company. It must also show how your profile matches the job requirements. A cover letter should have the following format:

At the top left: Your first name, SURNAME, full address, telephone number (with the international dialling code) and email address.
At the top right: the place from which the letter is being sent and the date.
A few lines further down: the company’s address and the name of the person to whom the letter is being sent.
The subject of the letter and/or the reference, for example: ‘Re: Product Manager - Ref. 758945L’.
The body of the letter.
At the bottom right: your signature.

For more information, go to the Pôle Emploi website, specifically the ‘Organiser sa recherche’ section [Preparing for your job search] via the following link: https://www.emploi-store.fr/portail/centredinteret/preparersacandidature/organiserSaRecherche

Traineeships

Implementation

Legal texts and regulations guarantee minimum standards for learning content, working conditions and transparency.

A training period cannot be used:

To replace an employee in case of absence, suspension of a contract or dismissal
To carry out regular responsibilities corresponding to a permanent position
To deal with a temporary increase in activity
To carry out seasonal work.

Training periods are not allowed outside an educational program. They have to be part of a school or university curriculum. They must be part of the course of study that must guarantee minimum 200 hours of academic learning in the presence of the pupils or the students.

The training period cannot exceed 6 months per academic year (maximum 924 hours if periods are split), except for derogations.

Employers are entitled to respect a waiting period between two training periods: 1/3 of the previous training period. For example : after a 6 months training period, employers have to wait 2 months before hosting a new trainee for the same post (unless if the training period is interrupted by the trainee).

An agreement must be signed by the trainee, the host organisation, the educational institution, the referent teacher, the traineeship tutor of the host organisation. This agreement must contain a number of compulsory elements. Including the tasks entrusted to the trainee.

The referent teacher is responsible for the educational follow-up of the trainee. The educational institution determines the arrangements for regular follow-up.

Living and working conditions

Gratification :

Employers who host trainees more than 2 months during the same college or university year (i.e.: 44 days and 7 hours per day) are required to pay a minimum gratification.

For a training agreement signed between 01/09/15 and 31/12/15 the minimum hourly rate is 3, 60 Euros. This rate is raised each year on the 1st of January. The gratification is paid in relation with the number of days of physical presence.

Under 309 hours, the gratification is not compulsory.

Public organisations are not allowed to pay more than the legal minimum rate.

In the private sector, agreements can stipulate higher rates.

Although the trainee is not considered as an employee, he/she has the same obligations as the other employees of the company, with regard to the internal rules and regulations, the local working hours, the legal working hours, hygiene and safety rules … .

Leave

For training periods greater than 2 months, the agreement must include the possibility of granting leave and leave of absence. The payment is optional.

Rights and benefits

Although the trainee is not considered as an employee, he/she may benefit from social and cultural activities organised within the host company.

When a staff canteen exists or if meal vouchers are available for employees, the access to these advantages must be granted to the trainees.

Employers have to pay back part of the transport charges of their trainees according to legislation.

Social security

Modalities of social cover depend on wether the trainee receives a gratification or not and according the amount paid.

Training attestation

At the end of the traineeship, the host organisation has to issue a training attestation mentioning the total and effective period of the traineeship and the gratification paid.

Apprenticeships

Legal framework

A global reform of apprenticeship was launched in France in 2013, and completed in 2015.

The trainee signs an apprenticeship contract with a company (private or public sector) which must be transmitted to the Consular Chamber for registration and to DIRECCTE (Regional office of business, competition, consumer affairs, labour and employment) who delivers an agreement.

By this agreement, the trainee is recognized as an employee for a period between 1 and 3 years which combines work-based learning phases in the company and school-based learning phases in a training apprenticeship center (CFA), an apprenticeship section or an apprenticeship training unit.

Apprenticeship contracts concern young people (16-25 years) who are preparing a professional qualification, registered at the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP).

Particular cases: there is no age limit for disabled workers, entrepreneurs, business’ purchasers, or if a previous contract was involuntary broken.

The period can be extended for disabled workers to one more year, for 4 years in total, or limited to 6 months for 15 years old people who have finished their compulsory education.

Notes:

A contract can be concluded with 2 different companies (in case of seasonal activity).
Since 2014, the apprenticeship contract can be concluded for a long term, with an apprenticeship period planned at the beginning.

Description of schemes

The duration and the content of the apprenticeship training depend on the professional qualification followed by the trainee.

The training combines, in general, 400h per year in an apprentice learning center, CFA, (200h at minimum for 6 months) and work-based learning phases in the company.

During all the apprenticeship period, a supervisor (an employee or a manager of the company) is in charge of the work-based learning of the trainee. The tasks given to the trainee must be directly related to the prepared qualification.

Each month, the trainee will receive a salary from the company, in function of its age and qualification (see part “Living and working conditions”).

If successful, the trainee will receive at the end of the apprenticeship training period, a diploma or a professional certification.

Links of key responsible organisations :

French Ministry of Labour, employment and vocational training (more information of legal context and example of apprenticeship contract are available on the website) : www.alternance.emploi.gouv.fr
French Ministry of Education (information on school-based learning CFA) : www.education.gouv.fr
National Directory of Professional Certifications : www.rncp.cncp.gouv.fr
French network of Trade and Industrial Chambers (CCI) (with the list of Consular Chambers) : www.cci.fr
FIPA, Foundation “innovations for apprenticeships”, under the auspices of Face Foundation : http://www.fondationface.org

Eligibility

The apprenticeship is open to all EU citizens. For non EU citizens, in addition to a legal residency permit, a work permit must be requested to DIRECCTE (Regional office of business, competition, consumer affairs, labour and employment). www.direccte.gouv.fr

Living and working conditions

As an employee, the apprentice has the same rights and obligations as the other employees of the company. The salary depends upon the age and the experience in the contract of the trainee. See below :

Apprenticeship contract
Experience in the contract	Under 18 years	18-20 years	Over 21 years
1^st year	25 % of the minimum wage	41 % of the minimum wage	53 % of the minimum wage
2^nd year	37 % of the minimum wage	49 % of the minimum wage	61 % of the minimum wage
3^rd year	53 % of the minimum wage	65 % of the minimum wage	78 % of the minimum wage

Where to find opportunities / job vacancies

Pôle emploi : www.pole-emploi.fr
French Ministry of Labour, employment and vocational training : www.alternance.emploi.gouv.fr
La bourse de l’apprentissage : www.bourse-apprentissage.com/?
France apprentissage : www.franceapprentissage.fr
In public sector : www.biep.fonction-publique.gouv.f
Directly on companies’ website

Funding and support

no information available

Moving to another Member State

The free movement of goods is one of the cornerstones of the European Single Market.

The removal of national barriers to the free movement of goods within the EU is one of the principles enshrined in the EU Treaties. From a traditionally protectionist starting point, the countries of the EU have continuously been lifting restrictions to form a ‘common’ or single market. This commitment to create a European trading area without frontiers has led to the creation of more wealth and new jobs, and has globally established the EU as a world trading player alongside the United States and Japan.

Despite Europe’s commitment to breaking down all internal trade barriers, not all sectors of the economy have been harmonised. The European Union decided to regulate at a European level sectors which might impose a higher risk for Europe’s citizens – such as pharmaceuticals or construction products. The majority of products (considered a ‘lower risk’) are subject to the application of the so-called principle of mutual recognition, which means that essentially every product legally manufactured or marketed in one of the Member States can be freely moved and traded within the EU internal market.

Limits to the free movement of goods

The EU Treaty gives Member States the right to set limits to the free movement of goods when there is a specific common interest such as protection of the environment, citizens’ health, or public policy, to name a few. This means for example that if the import of a product is seen by a Member State’s national authorities as a potential threat to public health, public morality or public policy, it can deny or restrict access to its market. Examples of such products are genetically modified food or certain energy drinks.

Even though there are generally no limitations for the purchase of goods in another Member State, as long as they are for personal use, there is a series of European restrictions for specific categories of products, such as alcohol and tobacco.

Free movement of capital

Another essential condition for the functioning of the internal market is the free movement of capital. It is one of the four basic freedoms guaranteed by EU legislation and represents the basis of the integration of European financial markets. Europeans can now manage and invest their money in any EU Member State.

The liberalisation of capital markets has marked a crucial point in the process of economic and monetary integration in the EU. It was the first step towards the establishment of our European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the common currency, the Euro.

Advantage

The principle of the free movement of capital not only increases the efficiency of financial markets within the Union, it also brings a series of advantages to EU citizens. Individuals can carry out a broad number of financial operations within the EU without major restrictions. For instance, individuals with few restrictions can

easily open a bank account,
buy shares
invest, or
purchase real estate

in another Member State. EU Companies can invest in, own and manage other European enterprises.

Exceptions

Certain exceptions to this principle apply both within the Member States and with third countries. They are mainly related to taxation, prudential supervision, public policy considerations, money laundering and financial sanctions agreed under the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The European Commission is continuing to work on the completion of the free market for financial services, by implementing new strategies for financial integration in order to make it even easier for citizens and companies to manage their money within the EU.

The implementation of the principle of free movement of people, is one of the cornerstones of our European construction, has meant the introduction a series of practical rules to ensure that citizens can travel freely and easily to any Member State of the European Union. Travelling across the EU with one’s car has become a lot less problematic. The European Commission has set a series of common regulations governing the mutual recognition of driving licences, the validity of car insurance, and the possibility of registering your car in a host country.

Your driving licence in the EU

The EU has introduced a harmonised licence model and further minimum requirements for obtaining a licence. This should help to keep unsafe drivers off Europe's roads - wherever they take their driving test.

Since 19 January 2013, all driving licences issued by EU countries have the same look and feel. The licences are printed on a piece of plastic that has the size and shape of a credit card.

Harmonised administrative validity periods for the driving licence document have been introduced which are between 10 and 15 years for motorcycles and passenger cars. This enables the authorities to regularly update the driving licence document with new security features that will make it harder to forge or tamper - so unqualified or banned drivers will find it harder to fool the authorities, in their own country or elsewhere in the EU.

The new European driving licence is also protecting vulnerable road users by introducing progressive access for motorbikes and other powered two-wheelers. The "progressive access" system means that riders will need experience with a less powerful bike before they go on to bigger machines. Mopeds will also constitute a separate category called AM.

You must apply for a licence in the country where you usually or regularly live. As a general rule, it is the country where you live for at least 185 days each calendar year because of personal or work-related ties.

If you have personal/work-related ties in 2 or more EU countries, your place of usual residence is the place where you have personal ties, as long as you go back regularly. You don't need to meet this last condition if you are living in an EU country to carry out a task for a fixed period of time.

If you move to another EU country to go to college or university, your place of usual residence doesn't change. However, you can apply for a driving licence in your host country if you can prove you have been studying there for at least 6 months.

Registering your car in the host country

If you move permanently to another EU country and take your car with you, you should register your car and pay car-related taxes in your new country.

There are no common EU rules on vehicle registration and related taxes. Some countries have tax-exemption rules for vehicle registration when moving with the car from one country to another permanently.

To benefit from a tax exemption, you must check the applicable deadlines and conditions in the country you wish to move to.

Check the exact rules and deadlines with the national authorities: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/registration/registration-abroad/index_en.htm

Car Insurance

EU citizens can insure their car in any EU country, as long as the chosen insurance company is licensed by the host national authority to issue the relevant insurance policies. A company based in another Member State is entitled sell a policy for compulsory civil liability only if certain conditions are met. Insurance will be valid throughout the Union, no matter where the accident takes place.

Taxation

Value Added Tax or VAT on motor vehicles is ordinarily paid in the country where the car is purchased, although under certain conditions, VAT is paid in the country of destination.
More information on the rules which apply when a vehicle is acquired in one EU Member State and is intended to be registered in another EU Member State is available on this link https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/registration/taxes-abroad/index_en.htm.

BEFORE LEAVING FOR FRANCE, THINK ABOUT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

Identity card, valid passport, work permit.
Birth certificate and/or family record book.
Your European health card issued by your country’s health authority.
Your driving licence.
Copies of your qualifications and sworn translations in French.
Curriculum Vitae, cover letters and reference letters translated into French, preferably in electronic format so that they can be modified.

BEFORE LEAVING FOR FRANCE, THINK ABOUT DOING THE FOLLOWING:

Contact the authorities in your country to inform them of your departure (health authority, pension funds, family benefits funds, tax authority, public employment services). They will send you the documents that you will need to present in France to prove your rights.
Ensure that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your set-up costs (deposit for your accommodation, estate agency fees, electricity and telephone services, etc.).
Ask your bank if you can transfer your bank account to another bank in France. This is often easier than opening a bank account once you have arrived.
Improve your level of French before leaving by taking French lessons. Contact ‘Alliances françaises’: www.alliancefr.org
If you receive unemployment benefits, consider transferring these to France by asking your public employment service for form U2.
If you have found a job in France, think about asking your public employment service for form U1 so that the periods when you will receive unemployment benefits in your country and in France can be added up.

ON YOUR ARRIVAL IN FRANCE:

Remember to register with your consulate in France, which will give you useful advice about the steps to take on your arrival. For more information on the steps to take, click on this link: http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/N19804.xhtml
Take out a home insurance policy to protect your assets. This is compulsory when renting accommodation.
If you have a car, you will have to pay road tax and take out a car insurance policy.

Working conditions

Quality of work and employment - a vital issue, with a strong economic and humanitarian impact

Good working conditions are important for the well-being of European workers. They

contribute to the physical and psychological welfare of Europeans, and
contribute to the economic performance of the EU.

From a humanitarian point of view, the quality of working environment has a strong influence on the overall work and life satisfaction of European workers.

From an economic point of view, high-quality job conditions are a driving force of economic growth and a foundation for the competitive position of the European Union. A high level of work satisfaction is an important factor for achieving high productivity of the EU economy.

It is therefore a core issue for the European Union to promote the creation and maintenance of a sustainable and pleasant working environment – one that promotes health and well-being of European employees and creates a good balance between work and non-work time.

Improving working conditions in Europe: an important objective for the European Union.

Ensuring favourable working conditions for European citizens is a priority for the EU. The European Union is therefore working together with national governments to ensure a pleasant and secure workplace environment. Support to Member States is provided through:

the exchange of experience between different countries and common actions
the establishment of the minimum requirements on working conditions and health and safety at work, to be applied all over the European Union

Criteria for quality of work and employment

In order to achieve sustainable working conditions, it is important to determine the main characteristics of a favourable working environment and thus the criteria for the quality of working conditions.

The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) in Dublin, is an EU agency that provides information, advice and expertise on, as the name implies, living and working conditions. This agency has established several criteria for job and employment quality, which include:

health and well-being at the workplace – this is a vital criteria, since good working conditions suppose the prevention of health problems at the work place, decreasing the exposure to risk and improving work organisation
reconciliation of working and non-working life – citizens should be given the chance to find a balance between the time spent at work and at leisure
skills development – a quality job is one that gives possibilities for training, improvement and career opportunities

The work of Eurofound contributes to the planning and design of better living and working conditions in Europe.

Health and safety at work

The European Commission has undertaken a wide scope of activities to promote a healthy working environment in the EU Member States. Amongst others, it developed a Community Strategy for Health and Safety at Work for the period 2021-2027. This strategy was set up with the help of national authorities, social partners and NGOs. It addresses the changing needs in worker’s protection brought by the digital and green transitions, new forms of work and the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the framework will continue to address traditional occupational safety and health risks, such as risks of accidents at work or exposure to hazardous chemicals.

The Community policy on health and safety at work aims at a long-lasting improvement of well-being of EU workers. It takes into account the physical, moral and social dimensions of working conditions, as well as the new challenges brought up by the enlargement of the European Union towards countries from Central and Eastern Europe. The introduction of EU standards for health and safety at the workplace, has contributed a lot to the improvement of the situation of workers in these countries.

Improving working conditions by setting minimum requirements common to all EU countries

Improving living and working conditions in the EU Member States depends largely on the establishment of common labour standards. EU labour laws and regulations have set the minimum requirements for a sustainable working environment and are now applied in all Member States. The improvement of these standards has strengthened workers’ rights and is one of the main achievements of the EU’s social policy.

The importance of transparency and mutual recognition of diplomas as a crucial complement to the free movement of workers

The possibility of obtaining recognition of one’s qualifications and competences can play a vital role in the decision to take up work in another EU country. It is therefore necessary to develop a European system that will guarantee the mutual acceptance of professional competences in different Member States. Only such a system will ensure that a lack of recognition of professional qualifications will not become an obstacle to workers’ mobility within the EU.

Main principles for the recognition of professional qualifications in the EU

As a basic principle, any EU citizen should be able to freely practice their profession in any Member State. Unfortunately the practical implementation of this principle is often hindered by national requirements for access to certain professions in the host country.

For the purpose of overcoming these differences, the EU has set up a system for the recognition of professional qualifications. Within the terms of this system, a distinction is made between regulated professions (professions for which certain qualifications are legally required) and professions that are not legally regulated in the host Member State.

Steps towards a transparency of qualifications in Europe

The European Union has taken important steps towards the objective of achieving transparency of qualifications in Europe:

An increased co-operation in vocational education and training, with the intention to combine all instruments for transparency of certificates and diplomas, in one single, user-friendly tool. This includes, for example, the European CV or Europass Trainings.
The development of concrete actions in the field of recognition and quality in vocational education and training.

Going beyond the differences in education and training systems throughout the EU

Education and training systems in the EU Member States still show substantial differences. The last enlargements of the EU, with different educational traditions, have further increased this diversity. This calls for a need to set up common rules to guarantee recognition of competences.

In order to overcome this diversity of national qualification standards, educational methods and training structures, the European Commission has put forward a series of instruments, aimed at ensuring better transparency and recognition of qualifications both for academic and professional purposes.

The European Qualifications Framework

The European Qualifications Framework is a key priority for the European Commission in the process of recognition of professional competences. The main objective of the framework is to create links between the different national qualification systems and guarantee a smooth transfer and recognition of diplomas.

The National Academic Recognition Information Centres (NARICs)

A network of National Academic Recognition Information Centres was established in 1984 at the initiative of the European Commission. The NARICs provide advice on the academic recognition of periods of study abroad. Located in all EU Member States as well as in the countries of the European Economic Area, NARICs play a vital role the process of recognition of qualifications in the EU.

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

The European Credit Transfer System aims at facilitating the recognition of periods of study abroad. Introduced in 1989, it functions by describing an education programme and attaching credits to its components. It is a key complement to the highly acclaimed student mobility programme Erasmus.

Europass

Europass is an instrument for ensuring the transparency of professional skills. It is composed of five standardised documents

a CV (Curriculum Vitae),
a cover letter editor,
certificate supplements,
diploma supplements, and
a Europass-Mobility document.

The Europass system makes skills and qualifications clearly and easily understood in the different parts of Europe. In every country of the European Union and the European Economic Area, national Europass centres have been established as the primary contact points for people seeking for information about the Europass system.

To find out about your employment rights in France, you should refer to the Labour Code.

THE MINIMUM LEGAL AGE for working is 16. However, in some cases strictly laid down by law, the employment of young people under 16 is allowed:

in family-run businesses,
during school holidays: minors who are no younger than 14 years old (13 years old in farm businesses) can be employed to carry out light work,
in the case of apprenticeships or sandwich courses,
in entertainment businesses and modelling.

TYPES OF CONTRACTS

There are two main types of contracts: permanent contracts and fixed-term contracts (the latter must be used in the cases and under the conditions laid down by law).

EXAMPLES OF WHEN FIXED-TERM CONTRACTS ARE USED:

To replace an absent employee.
To cover business fluctuations.
Seasonal work (in agriculture, tourism, etc.).
In principle, these contracts have a maximum term of 18 months. In addition to their remuneration, employees receive a bonus for lack of job security of 10%.

In the private sector, a contract can take 3 different forms. In principle, they are permanent but, in certain cases exhaustively listed by law,

they can be for a fixed term (a term is provided for). The law also provides for the possibility of concluding assignment contracts on a temporary basis. Each form of contract is subject to specific rules.

OTHER TYPES OF CONTRACTS

Temporary employment contract.

The temporary assignment is carried out for a period provided for in the contract which cannot exceed the maximum legal duration. That maximum legal duration varies depending on the nature of the assignment.

This type of contract is governed by the same rules as the fixed-term contract and is characterised by the relationship between:

the temporary employment agency,
the assigned employee,
the customer.

Employment under a ‘contract d'extra’ [contract for very short-term work] (customary fixed-term contract)

The ‘contract d'extra’ or customary contract is a particular type of fixed-term contract which allows an employer to hire an employee for the execution of a specific and temporary job (from a few hours to several days). This contract can be used only to meet occasional and immediate needs for a particular position. Such a contract can only be concluded in strictly defined sectors of activity.

Short-term employment contract

This type of contract is signed with a company in an industry sector which experiences genuine fluctuations throughout the year that it cannot always foresee.

Apprenticeship contract

This type of contract is aimed at young people, aged 16 to 25, who want to obtain a professional qualification.

Senior fixed-term contract

The contract known as the senior fixed-term contract is a fixed-term contract which aims to facilitate the return to employment of seniors and allow them to acquire additional rights for drawing their pension. The duration of such a contract is specifically regulated.

Temporary permanent contract

This employment contract guarantees temporary employees a minimum monthly remuneration during idle periods between two assignments.

Back-to-work contracts

Specific employment contracts exist to promote the recruitment of certain categories of unemployed people.

‘Contrat unique d'insertion’ [single integration contract] (CUI) - ‘Parcours emploi compétences’ [employment skills course] (PEC) ‘Contrat unique d'insertion’ [single integration contract] (CUI) - ‘Parcours emploi compétences’ [employment skills course] (PEC)

The ‘contrat unique d'insertion’ [single integration contract] (CUI) combines training and/or professional support for its beneficiary and financial assistance for the employer. Its purpose is to facilitate the hiring of people who have difficulty finding a job.

Contrat adultes-relais’ [community outreach contract]

A ‘contrat adultes-relais’ [community outreach contract] allows particular unemployed people to carry out local social and cultural mediation assignments as part of a back-to-work contract. Age and residency conditions must also be met. The employer must be an administration, an association or a private company responsible for managing a public service.

For more information, see the following section of this website ‘Working conditions - Specific working categories’:

Links:

Types of employment contracts

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/N19871.xhtml

PERMANENT CONTRACTS

The French Labour Code states that certain information must be given to the employee in writing, but not necessarily through a contract:

identity of the parties,
place of work,
the title, grade, category or nature of the job carried out by the employee or a brief description thereof,
start date of the contract,
number of paid leave days to which the employee is entitled or, failing that, the procedures for allocating and determining such leave,
notice periods,
information on the salary and the frequency of remuneration,
working hours: daily or weekly,
collective agreements which govern the working conditions.

OTHER CONTRACTS

The French Labour Code states that a written contract is required for fixed-term contracts, apprenticeship contracts, etc.

AMENDING EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS

A distinction must be made between ‘changes to working conditions’, which the employer can decide unilaterally (hours, dates of leave, etc.), and ‘amendments to the employment contract’, which require the employee’s agreement and which concern:

remuneration methods or amounts,
working hours,
place of work,
employee’s classification,
any other information deemed essential by the parties.

One exception to this is where the employee has agreed to the amendment in advance, for example, a mobility clause or non-competition clause under certain conditions. The employer must notify the employee of the amendment. Failure by the employee to respond is taken as acceptance.

CONTRACT TERMINATION

This is a significant reform of the Labour Code that implements the ‘Macron orders’ or ‘Orders of the Labour law’ of 22 September 2017 which gives company agreements a decisive role on many social issues.

A fixed-term contract can be renewed more than 2 times. The maximum number of times a fixed-term contract could possibly be renewed is fixed by a convention or agreement pronounced by the French Minister of Labour. In practice, this means that an agreement may very well provide for an employee’s work contract to be renewed 3 times, if not more.

It is only in case of failure to make this stipulation in the convention or agreement that the fixed-term contract is renewable 2 times for a fixed-term.

The purpose and result of this period cannot be to durably provide for a job that is linked to the company’s standard and permanent operations.

Permanent contracts for work sites

The 2017 Labour Code reform has broadened the scope of use of permanent work site contracts, which are no longer reserved for the construction and public works sector. The work site contract or a contract for operations is a type of permanent contract. This type of contract allows an employer to hire employees to carry out a body of work or specific works, of which the exact end date cannot be determined in advance.

Permanent contracts can be terminated by the employer or the employee.

See the following section on this website: ‘Working conditions 3.10 End of employment’.

Websites to visit: www.travail-emploi.gouv.fr www.service-public.fr ; http://www.editions-legislatives.fr/ordonnance-macron

Links:

Types of employment contracts

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/N19871.xhtml

YOUNG PEOPLE

Special measures have been taken to help young people enter the labour market. If you are a non-EU national, younger than 18 years old and live in France, you can take up paid employment or start a work placement, under certain conditions. Before starting, you must have received a work permit or a residence permit which can be used as a work permit. The rules differ depending on your age.

Both the apprenticeship contract and the professional training contract allow you to attend sandwich courses. You work and study at the same time. Article 23 (section 7) of Law No 2018-217 of 29 March 2018 provides that an apprenticeship contract may be partially performed abroad and lays down the conditions of application of that measure for apprentices from a Member State of the European Union carrying out a mobility period in France.

The apprenticeship contract is a fixed-term or permanent written work contract between an employee and an employer. It allows the apprentice to attend a sandwich course at a company under the responsibility of an apprenticeship supervisor and of an apprentice training centre (centre de formation des apprentis, CFA) for a period of 1 to 3 years.
The apprenticeship contract concerns 16-29-year-olds who have completed their compulsory schooling and who intend to obtain a professional qualification.
Remuneration: Depending on the individual’s age and the year of the apprenticeship, between 25% and 78% of the guaranteed minimum wage.
The professional training contract is intended for 16-25-year-olds who have no qualifications, or for job seekers aged 26 or over in need of professional training.
For a professional training contract of 6 to 21 months - remuneration: between 55% and 85% of the guaranteed minimum wage.
For a permanent or fixed-term professional training contract of a maximum of 3 years. Remuneration: the guaranteed minimum wage.

DISABLED PERSONS

Companies with more than 20 employees have the option of paying a contribution in proportion to their workforce to the Agefiph (National association funding the professional integration of disabled persons) or ensuring that 6% of their staff are disabled workers. The salary paid to workers recognised as disabled must correspond to their job position and their qualifications, under ordinary legal conditions. Their salary cannot be reduced in any way.

For more information, click the following link of the Departmental Offices for Disabled Persons (Maisons Départementales des Personnes Handicapées, MDPH): http://informations.handicap.fr/carte-francemdph.php

PREGNANT WOMEN

Pregnant women are protected by special measures as a result of which discrimination in recruitment is prohibited by law and may lead to prosecution. Their working conditions are adapted: they may not work outdoors in temperatures below 0°C or after 22:00.

SENIORS

Seniors (from the age of 57), who have been registered as job seekers for more than 3 months or who have accepted a personalised redeployment agreement, may benefit from specific fixed-term contracts so that they can complete a sufficient number of years to be able to receive a full pension. Duration: 18 months, renewable once, up to a maximum of 36 months. See website: http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F15759.xhtml

Links:

Ministry of Labour

www.travail-emploi.gouv.fr

SMIC (guaranteed minimum wage)

In France, the SMIC is the minimum wage that an employee can be paid.

Only apprentices and young employees may be paid less than the SMIC. Collective agreements set minimum wages in line with employees’ qualifications, but these may never be less than the SMIC.

The gross amount of the SMIC in 2021 based on the legal working time, i.e. 35 hours per week or 151.67 hours per month, is EUR 1 554.28.

The net SMIC amount which the employee receives depends on the company concerned and on the social contributions linked to the sector of activity. For home-based employees, the net SMIC amount stands at EUR 8.75 per hour.

SMIC gross hourly rate: EUR 10.25 in 2021.

DEDUCTIONS

In France, the only payroll deductions are social security contributions, as taxes have been deducted at source since 1 January 2019 and affect the income of the ongoing year. However, employees must declare their annual income in May.

The difference between gross and net pay is around 23%. The amount of the tax levy depends on the tax rate. It can be deducted as a lump sum or in instalments. For more information: www.impots.gouv.fr

PAYSLIPS

In principle, wages are paid monthly, on the same date each month and generally by bank transfer.

Each employee must be given a payslip.

This payslip must include specific information:

employer (name, address, registration number, principal activity code (APE code), company registration number (Siret number), etc.);
employee (name, job, position in the collective agreement classification);
URSSAF (Social Security and Family Allowance Contribution Collection Office) (or agricultural social mutual fund, Mutualité sociale agricole) to which contributions are paid;
supplementary pension funds;
the applicable collective agreement;
components making up the gross pay (number of hours worked, number of hours paid at the standard rate and those paid at higher rates (for overtime or night work) indicating the rate(s) applied, bonuses subject to social security contributions (length of service bonus, performance bonus, lack of job security bonus and, where applicable, the differential supplement awarded due to reduced working hours for employees receiving the SMIC);
the nature and amount of the flat rate for employees whose pay is calculated on the basis of a weekly or monthly flat rate in hours or an annual flat rate in hours or days;
social security and tax deductions: CRDS (social security debt repayment tax), CSG (general social security contribution), employee contributions;
any amounts not subject to deductions (reimbursement of business expenses);
‘net amount to be paid’ before tax.
‘Net amount to be paid’, which is the amount that is actually paid to employees;
date of payment of this net amount;
dates of any paid leave included in the pay period and amount of the corresponding allowance.

The payslip must also state that the employee should keep the payslip indefinitely. This may be worded as follows: ‘pour vous aider à faire valoir vos droits, conservez ce bulletin de paie sans limitation de durée’ (please keep this payslip indefinitely as evidence of your rights). The employer must also keep these payslips, for five years after they have been issued.

Payslips should not refer to instances where employees can exercise the right to strike or to perform staff representation activities:

hours not paid due to strike action are marked as ‘unpaid absence’;
The time spent on trade union activities is included in the standard working hours.

See website: www.travail-emploi.gouv.fr

BACKGROUND
In France the legal working week is 35 hours in all companies. The working day may not exceed 10 hours.

Furthermore, employees may not work for more than 4½ hours without a break. The maximum working day may be extended to 12 hours under a collective agreement.

In principle, employees may not work more than 48 hours per week, or 44 hours per week on average over 12 consecutive weeks (up to a maximum of 46 hours, under certain conditions).

Employees must be permitted to take breaks, lasting a minimum of 20 minutes, at least every 6 hours.

As part of the collective negotiation, the amended Article L 3121-19 of the French Labour Code indicates that the maximum daily amount of time actually worked can be extended:

In case of increased activity or for reasons linked to the company's organisation;
Provided that this extension does not extend the time worked to more than 12 hours.

YOUNG PEOPLE

The maximum working day for under 18-year-olds and apprentices is 8 hours (7 hours per day for under 16-year-olds working during school holidays).

For under 18-year-olds and apprentices, the absolute maximum working week is 35 hours.

Employers must grant employees who are subject to the obligation to attend professional courses during their workday the necessary freedom with regard to this obligation.

The time spent training in an educational institution is considered to be time spent actually working.

REST PERIOD

All employees must be allowed a daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours (9 hours in certain cases depending on collective agreements).

The weekly rest period is often taken on Sundays.

It is forbidden to make an employee work more than 6 days per week. The weekly rest period must be at least 35 consecutive hours. However, exceptions may call the employees right to a weekly rest period into question. Special provisions apply to all employees under the age of 18.

OVERTIME

The overtime worked by the employee is paid under the following conditions:

when the overtime has been completed as requested by the employer,
or when the overtime is directly carried out by the employee, without any objection on behalf of the employer (implicit agreement).

The payment of overtime is subject to an increased rate, fixed by a company or institution convention or collective agreement (or, failing that, a branch convention or agreement). Each rate is fixed at a minimum of 10%.

It should be noted that many exceptions exist, especially under collective agreements.

Some managerial staff classed as ‘non-office-based’ work more than 35 hours a week but receive additional days of leave.

Employees may need to work overtime beyond the applicable yearly quota. The conditions to fulfil this overtime are fixed by a company or institution convention or collective agreement (or, failing that, a branch convention or agreement).

In the absence of an agreement or convention, the rates of increase are fixed at:

25% for the first 8 hours of overtime worked within the same week (from the 36th to the 43rd hour),
50% for anything above eight hours.

However, the payment of overtime can be, fully or partially, replaced by an equivalent compensatory rest period. This rest period is implemented by a convention or an agreement (or, failing that, by the employer, unless staff representatives express their objection). In this case, the rest period is equivalent to the increased remuneration. For instance, one hour of overtime that would, in principle, be paid at an increased rate of 50 % gives the right to an equivalent compensatory rest period (i.e. one and a half hour).

NIGHT WORK

Night work performed between 21:00 and 06:00 may not, in principle, exceed 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week (44 hours if authorised by decree or collective agreement). Night work is compensated by weekly rest periods or extra pay.

Employed pregnant women who work at night must be given daytime work during their pregnancy and during their legal postnatal leave if they so request.

See website: www.travail-emploi.gouv.fr

ANNUAL PAID LEAVE

All employees are entitled to paid leave once they have worked at least one month during the reference period (which runs from 1 June of the previous year to 31 May of the ongoing year).

Therefore, employees are entitled to two and a half working days of leave per month worked, i.e. five weeks of paid leave per year worked.

In principle, only the periods actually spent working are taken into account when calculating the entitlement to paid leave. Periods of absence from work are not counted. However, certain periods are regarded as periods actually worked (annual leave of the previous year, maternity leave, training leave, or sick leave) if the collective agreement specifies this.

Dates of paid leave are decided by mutual agreement between the employer and the employee, or, failing that, by the employer.

OTHER TYPES OF LEAVE

Sick leave: in order to receive daily sickness benefit, contributions must have been paid for 200 hours during the 3 months prior to the sick leave. On presentation of form E104, the periods for which contributions have been paid in another European country are taken into account.
Maternity leave: 16 weeks for one child (6 weeks before and 10 weeks after birth).
Paternity leave 11 consecutive calendar days in the event of a single birth and 18 days in case of multiple births, calculated from the child’s date of birth. This leave can only be taken in one continuous period. It can be taken together with the three days of leave granted on the birth of a child.
Child-care leave: following maternity leave, in order to look after the child, either employed parent may ask for this leave. Maximum duration: 3 years.
Parental leave (to look after a child who is disabled, has suffered an accident or is seriously ill).
Individual training leave (congé individuel de formation, CIF): this cannot exceed one year. Continued part payment of the salary is guaranteed.
Sabbatical leave (on personal grounds): between 6 and 11 months.

Eligibility for some of these types of leave may be conditional upon the length of service in the company or the minimum contributions paid to the public social security scheme.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

In France, 11 public holidays are provided for by law (Article L. 3133-1 of the Labour Code): 1 January, Easter Monday, 1 May (Labour Day), 8 May (End of the Second World War), Ascension Thursday, Whit Monday, 14 July (Bastille Day), 15 August (Assumption), 1 November (All Saints), 11 November (End of the First World War) and 25 December (Christmas Day).

Only 1 May is a guaranteed paid holiday. The other public holidays are, generally, only paid if they fall on an ordinary working day.

Are non-working public holidays compulsory?

An employee can work on public holidays. Non-working public holidays are set out in a company or institution agreement or, failing that, a branch convention or agreement. In the absence of an agreement, it is the employer who specifies non-working public holidays.

Only 1 May is compulsorily non-working for all employees; however, it is possible to work on 1 May in establishments and services that cannot interrupt their activity. Those provisions are public policy.

There may be other public holidays in a region or in particular departments. For example, in the departments of Moselle, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin, the list of holidays and non-working days is laid down by Article L. 3134-16 of the Labour Code:
26 December - Good Friday

See website: www.travail-emploi.gouv.fr

WAYS TO TERMINATE A CONTRACT

Resignation

There are no formal requirements governing resignation. However, it is advisable to give written notice (sent by registered letter with an acknowledgement of receipt) because the employee must give prior notice unless this occurs within the trial period.

Individual dismissal

There are three stages to the procedure for individual dismissal:

inviting the employee to a preliminary meeting so that the parties can discuss matters;
notifying the dismissal (between two working days and one month after the meeting);
making severance payments in line with the collective agreement, except in cases of gross or serious misconduct.

Redundancy for economic reasons

This occurs when a job is cut or changed due to economic difficulties or technological changes. It is subject, under certain conditions, to an obligation to redeploy workers and set up an employment protection plan.

Termination on the expiry of a fixed-term contract

Fixed-term contracts end when their term expires. No prior notice needs to be given. A lack of job security bonus of 10% is payable.

Contractual termination

Contractual termination is a type of termination by mutual consent. In order to be valid, the parties must follow a procedure during which they negotiate and sign a termination agreement, which must be approved by the relevant Regional Directorate for Business, Competition, Consumer Affairs, Labour and Employment (DIRECCTE) or by the labour inspectorate for protected employees (staff representatives, occupational doctor).

Settlement

This is not a form of termination of the employment contract.
It is a contract through which the parties prevent or end a dispute. It involves reciprocal concessions, but the employee cannot receive an amount in compensation which is less than the sums laid down contractually and legally.

Retirement

The legal retirement age depends on the employee’s year of birth. It is set to gradually increase from 60 to 62 years of age. Employees can take retirement between 60 and 70 years of age. Above the age of 70, employers can force employees to retire (since 2010).

The bill establishing a universal pension system was submitted to the Council of Ministers on 24 January 2020.

The bill will be put to a vote by Parliament by the end of the 2020 summer parliamentary session (Bill No 2623 establishing a universal pension system).

After the law has been passed, a period of a few years will be necessary, in particular, to make the necessary adjustments in practice. The High Commissioner for Pensions will coordinate the application of the law at the regulatory level (drafting of implementing texts), at the institutional level, in particular with pension funds, and the operational level (deployment of information systems and services to users).

The retirement allowance is equal to:

either the minimum legal redundancy pay (1/10 of the monthly wage per year of service; additional 1/15 of the monthly wage per year of service beyond 10 years),
or the retirement allowance laid down by the collective agreement or the employment contract, whichever is more favourable.

See websites : https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/; https://travail-emploi.gouv.fr/retraite

TRADE UNIONS

In France, there are many trade unions which represent employees. The main ones are:

The French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT), the French General Confederation of Labour (CGT), the French Labour Force (FO, Force Ouvrière), the French Confederation of Christian Workers (CFTC), The Union Syndicale Solidaires (SUD, a French group of trade unions), etc.

These trade unions are present in all business sectors. However, some trade unions represent special categories. Examples:

employers are also represented by the French Management Confederation or the General Confederation of Executives (CFE-CGC),
students are represented by the National Union of Students of France (UNEF),
medical staff are represented by the French Confederation of Medical Trade Unions (CSFM),
journalists are represented by the National Trade Union of Journalists (SNJ).

In order to be ‘representative’, a trade union has to meet seven criteria, including obtaining at least 10% of the votes cast during the first round of union elections (8% at the occupational branch and interprofessional levels).

To participate in national, sector or branch negotiations, companies themselves are also represented by different groups, the main ones being:

Medef, the Movement of the Enterprises of France,
CGPME, the General Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises.

ROLE OF A TRADE UNION

Trade unions operate within occupational branches and companies to defend workers’ interests and rights:

Trade unions make proposals in their economic sector.
They inform, help and support workers.
They represent workers in their dealings with employers and public authorities.
They work in coordination with trade unions across Europe.

The Orders on the strengthening of social dialogue and labour relations of 22 September 2017 provide for several measures to facilitate dialogue between employers and employees within companies, in particular VSEs and SMEs.

The Social and Economic Committee (comité social et économique, CSE), established in all companies with more than 11 employees since 1 January 2020, replaces the elected employee representatives in the company. It merges the personnel's representative bodies (IRP), the staff representatives (DP, délégués du personnel), the company committee (CE, comité d’entreprise) and the health, safety and working conditions committee (CHSCT).

The Orders on the strengthening of social dialogue have also simplified the use of telework for companies and their employees.

See website: www.travail-emploi.gouv.fr

Links:

Chronology of trade unionism in France

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronologie_du_syndicalisme_en_France

The term Vocational Education and Training refers to practical activities and courses related to a specific occupation or vocation, aimed at preparing participants for their future careers. Vocational training is an essential means to achieve professional recognition and improve chances to get a job. It is therefore vital that vocational training systems in Europe respond to the needs of citizens and the labour market in order to facilitate access to employment.

Vocational education and training has been an essential part of EU policy since the very establishment of the European Community. It is also a crucial element of the so-called EU Lisbon Strategy, which aims at transforming Europe into the world’s most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based society. In 2002 the European Council reaffirmed this vital role, and established yet another ambitious goal – to make European education and training renowned globally by the year 2010 – by championing a number of world-class initiatives, and in particular by strengthening cooperation in the area of vocational training.

On 24 November 2020, the Council of the European Union adopted a Recommendation on vocational education and training for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience.

The Recommendation defines key principles for ensuring that vocational education and training is agile in that it adapts swiftly to labour market needs and provides quality learning opportunities for young people and adults alike.

It places a strong focus on the increased flexibility of vocational education and training, reinforced opportunities for work-based learning, apprenticeships and improved quality assurance.

The Recommendation also replaces the EQAVET – European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training – Recommendation and includes an updated EQAVET Framework with quality indicators and descriptors. It repeals the former ECVET Recommendation.

To promote these reforms, the Commission supports Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) which bring together local partners to develop ‘skills ecosystems'. Skills ecosystems will contribute to regional, economic and social development, innovation and smart specialisation strategies.

Erasmus+

Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe.

It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. This is nearly double the funding compared to its predecessor programme (2014-2020).

The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.

It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda. The programme also

supports the European Pillar of Social Rights
implements the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027
develops the European dimension in sport

Who can take part? Find out here.

Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in Europe

Lifelong learning is a process that involves all forms of education – formal, informal and non-formal – and lasts from the pre-school period until after retirement. It is meant to enable people to develop and maintain key competencies throughout their life as well as to empower citizens to move freely between jobs, regions and countries. Lifelong learning is also a core element of the previously mentioned Lisbon Strategy, as it is crucial for self-development and the raising of competitiveness and employability. The EU has adopted several instruments for the promotion of adult education in Europe.

A European area of lifelong learning

In order to make lifelong learning a reality in Europe, the European Commission has set itself the objective of creating a European Area of Lifelong Learning. In this context, the Commission focuses on identifying the needs of both learners and the labour market in order to make education more accessible and subsequently create partnerships between public administrations, suppliers of educational services and civil society.

This EU initiative is based on the objective of providing basic skills – by strengthening counselling and information services at a European level, and by recognising all forms of learning, including formal education and informal and non-formal training.

EU organisations promoting vocational education in Europe

With the objective of facilitating cooperation and exchange in the field of vocational training, the EU has set up specialised bodies working in the field of VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

The European Centre for Vocational Training (CEDEFOP / Centre Européen pour le Développement de la Formation Professionnelle) was created in 1975 as a specialised EU agency for the promotion and development of vocational education and training in Europe. Based in Thessaloniki, Greece, it carries out research and analysis on vocational training and disseminates its expertise to various European partners, such as related research institutions, universities or training facilities.

The European Training Foundation was established in 1995 and works in close collaboration with CEDEFOP. Its mission is to support partner countries (from outside the EU) to modernise and develop their systems for vocational training.

Living conditions

Quality of life – on top of the EU social policy agenda

Favourable living conditions depend on a wide range of factors, such as quality healthcare services, education and training opportunities or good transport facilities, just to name a few aspects affecting citizens’ everyday life and work. The European Union has set for itself the aim to constantly improve the quality of life in all its Member States, and to take into account the new challenges of contemporary Europe, such as socially exclude people or an aging population.

Employment in Europe

Improving employment opportunities in Europe is a key priority for the European Commission. With the prospect of tackling the problem of unemployment and increasing the mobility between jobs and regions, a wide variety of initiatives at EU level are being developed and implemented to support the European Employment strategy. These include the European Employment Services network (EURES) and the EU Skills Panorama.

Health and healthcare in the European Union

Health is a cherished value, influencing people’s daily lives and therefore an important priority for all Europeans. A healthy environment is crucial for our individual and professional development, and EU citizens are ever more demanding about health and safety at work and the provision of high quality healthcare services. They require quick and easy access to medical treatment when travelling across the European Union. EU health policies are aimed at responding to these needs.

The European Commission has developed a coordinated approach to health policy, putting into practice a series of initiatives that complement the actions of national public authorities. The Union’s common actions and objectives are included in EU health programmes and strategies.

The current EU4Health Programme (2021-2027) is the EU’s ambitious response to COVID-19. The pandemic has a major impact on patients, medical and healthcare staff, and health systems in Europe. The new EU4Health programme will go beyond crisis response to address healthcare systems’ resilience.

EU4Health, established by Regulation (EU) 2021/522, will provide funding to eligible entities, health organisations and NGOs from EU countries, or non-EU countries associated to the programme.

With EU4Health, the EU will invest €5.3 billion in current prices in actions with an EU added value, complementing EU countries’ policies and pursuing one or several of EU4Health´s objectives:

To improve and foster health in the Union
- disease prevention & health promotion
- international health initiatives & cooperation
To tackle cross-border health threats
- prevention, preparedness & response to cross-border health threats
- complementing national stockpiling of essential crisis-relevant products
- establishing a reserve of medical, healthcare & support staff
To improve medicinal products, medical devices and crisis-relevant products
- making medicinal products, medical devices and crisis-relevant products available and affordable
To strengthen health systems, their resilience and resource efficiency
- strengthening health data, digital tools & services, digital transformation of healthcare
- improving access to healthcare
- developing and implementing EU health legislation and evidence-based decision making
- integrated work among national health systems

Education in the EU

Education in Europe has both deep roots and great diversity. Already in 1976, education ministers decided to set up an information network to better understand educational policies and systems in the then nine-nation European Community. This reflected the principle that the particular character of an educational system in any one Member State ought to be fully respected, while coordinated interaction between education, training and employment systems should be improved. Eurydice, the information network on education in Europe, was formally launched in 1980.

In 1986, attention turned from information exchanges to student exchanges with the launch of the Erasmus programme, now grown into the Erasmus+programme, often cited as one of the most successful initiatives of the EU.

Transport in the EU

Transport was one of the first common policies of the then European Community. Since 1958, when the Treaty of Rome entered into force, the EU’s transport policy has focused on removing border obstacles between Member States, thereby enabling people and goods to move quickly, efficiently and cheaply.

This principle is closely connected to the EU’s central goal of a dynamic economy and cohesive society. The transport sector generates 10% of EU wealth measured by gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to about one trillion Euros a year. It also provides more than ten million jobs.

The Schengen area

The Schengen Convention, in effect since March 1995, abolished border controls within the area of the signatory States and created a single external frontier, where checks have to be carried out in accordance with a common set of rules.

Today, the Schengen Area encompasses most EU countries, except for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania. However, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania are currently in the process of joining the Schengen Area and already applying the Schengen acquis to a large extent. Additionally, also the non-EU States Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have joined the Schengen Area.

Air transport

The creation of a single European market in air transport has meant lower fares and a wider choice of carriers and services for passengers. The EU has also created a set of rights to ensure air passengers are treated fairly.

Air passenger rights

As an air passenger, you have certain rights when it comes to information about flights and reservations, damage to baggage, delays and cancellations, denied boarding, compensation in the case of accident or difficulties with package holidays. These rights apply to scheduled and chartered flights, both domestic and international, from an EU airport or to an EU airport from one outside the EU, when operated by an EU airline.

Rail transport

Over the last 25 years the Commission has been very active in proposing restructuring the European rail transport market and in order to strengthen the position of railways vis-à-vis other transport modes. The Commission's efforts have concentrated on three major areas which are all crucial for developing a strong and competitive rail transport industry:

opening the rail transport market to competition,
improving the interoperability and safety of national networks and
developing rail transport infrastructure.

THE POLITICAL SYSTEM

THE EXECUTIVE is headed by the President of the Republic, who is Head of State and is elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term of office, renewable once. He or she appoints the Prime Minister and, on the latter’s recommendation, the members of the Government. The latter decides and pursues the country’s policies and reports on these to Parliament.
THE LEGISLATURE is Parliament, which consists of:
- the National Assembly, with 577 members elected by direct universal suffrage for five years;
- the Senate, with 348 senators elected for six years by a specific group of electors (members of Parliament, mayors, municipal councillors, departmental councillors and regional councillors).
THE JUDICIARY is represented by all courts (judges and magistrates), which resolve disputes between individuals or between individuals and the State. It ensures compliance with the laws adopted by Parliament.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL ensures that the laws comply with the Constitution.
POLITICAL PARTIES
The French political world consists of many parties, most of which have representatives in Parliament.

See websites : www.france-politique.fr/partis-politiques.htm; https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_partis_politiques_sous_la_Cinqui%C3%A8me_R%C3%A9publique

TERRITORIAL ORGANISATION OF FRANCE

France is divided into 18 regions: 12 regions in metropolitan France along with Corsica and 5 overseas regions (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion and Mayotte). The Regional Prefect represents the authority of the State. Each region is administered by a Regional Council, elected by direct universal suffrage.
The regions are subdivided into 101 departments (96 metropolitan departments and 5 overseas departments). The Departmental Prefect represents the authority of the State. Each department is administered by a Departmental Council, elected by direct universal suffrage.
France also has 5 overseas collectivités: French Polynesia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin and Wallis and Futuna. New Caledonia and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands are sui generis collectivités.
Each department is subdivided into arrondissements (districts), cantons and communes (towns and villages), each of which are administered by a mayor and a municipal council.

See website: http://www.cartesfrance.fr/geographie/cartes-administratives/carte-13-nouvelles-regions.html#ixzz5CXfVUzM5

THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

In order to carry out any formalities, you need to find the appropriate administrative service.

The French administration provides a centralised information service: www.service-public.fr

This website describes the various administrative procedures and where to go to complete them.

Note that some procedures in relation to your country of origin can only be carried out at your consulate (passport, birth certificate, voting).

Policing is carried out by the national police in large towns (police stations) and by the gendarmerie (national police force) everywhere else in the territory.

If you are a victim of a crime, you can contact them by telephone (by dialling 17, or 112 from a mobile phone) or you can go to the police station to make a statement with regard to any legal proceedings or insurance cases.

PERSONAL INCOME TAX

In France, at-source tax deduction entered into force on 1 January 2019. At-source tax deduction aims to adapt tax collection in a given year to real situations (income, life events) to that given year, without changing the original rules of calculation. It aims to close the one-year gap between the moment when income is received and when the tax regarding this income must be paid.

You must pay taxes if you are older than 18 years old and if you live in France, i.e.:

you permanently live in France with your family,
your principal residence is in France,
your main professional activity is in France,
your main economic interests are in France.

On the basis of the components included in the 2017 tax return filed in 2018, the tax administration has calculated the applicable tax rate of 2019. As soon as the first part of the income of 2019 is received, this rate is applied to the salary: the at-source tax deduction is automatic.

The payslip clearly indicates the applicable tax rate and the amount of the at-source deducted tax, as well as the salary before and after the at-source tax deduction.

For more information, visit the website of the Directorate General of Public Finance: www.impots.gouv.fr

CALCULATING YOUR TAX

Tax deducted at source is calculated on the basis of the net taxable remuneration multiplied by the applicable tax rate.

How is the net taxable remuneration calculated?

Net taxable remuneration = net remuneration (gross - social security contributions) + CSG/CRDS (social contributions) that are non-deductible (i.e. not taxable).

Therefore, the amount of the taxable income is slightly higher than the received income since it includes, including the net remuneration, the non-deductible CSG and CRDS (social contributions).

This rule to determining the taxable remuneration is not connected to the at-source tax deduction which does not change the amount and the calculation methods of income taxes. The amount of the taxable remuneration is set out in the payslip or on your online personal space if you are retired.

PAYING YOUR TAX

For employees, tax is deducted at source by the third party which provides your income (employer, individual employer, etc.) depending on a tax rate calculated and forwarded by the tax administration. The implementation of the tax deduction is automatic.

LOCAL TAXES

Anyone who has a private dwelling in France on 1 January of the tax year must pay local taxes. Local authorities (region, department, communes) vote on tax rates which, therefore, vary from one commune to another.

Owners also have to pay a property tax.

VAT (Value Added Tax)

Four rates apply in France:

The standard VAT rate is set at 20% for the majority of sales of goods and services: it applies to all goods or services for which no other rate is expressly provided.
The reduced rate of 10% is specifically applicable to unprocessed agricultural products, firewood, work to improve housing which does not benefit from the rate of 5.5%, certain accommodation and camping services, fairs and shows, games and fairground rides, entrance fees to museums, zoos, monuments, passenger transport, waste treatment, and catering.
The reduced rate of 5.5% covers most food products, feminine hygienic protection products, equipment and services for the disabled, books on any medium, gas and electricity subscriptions, supply of heat from renewable energies, supply of meals in school canteens, tickets for live entertainment and cinema, particular imports and deliveries of works of art, work to improve the energy rating of housing, social or emergency housing, and home ownership.
The special rate of 2.1% is reserved for medication reimbursable by social security, sales of live animals for butchery and prepared meats to non-taxable persons, television license fees, certain shows and press publications registered with the Joint committee on publications and press agencies.

The particular rates applicable in Corsica are fixed in Article 297 of the General Tax Code (CGI).

The particular rates applicable to overseas departments are fixed in Articles 294 et seq. of the CGI.

See website: http://www.economie.gouv.fr/

MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE

Before going to a doctor or dentist, you need to check that the latter is linked to the state health scheme (‘conventionné’). There are two types of such doctors: those who fully adhere to the state scheme agreement and apply the agreed fees, and those who adhere to the agreement but are free to set their fees. You can find health professionals, in relation to where you live, and obtain information about their fees on the following website: http://ameli-direct.ameli.fr/nouvelle-recherche/professionnels-de-sante.html

In both cases, the reimbursement made by the CPAM (Primary health insurance fund) will be based on the agreed fees.

HOSPITALISATION

The French hospital system consists of public healthcare institutions, which provide a public health service under state control, and private healthcare establishments. If you are admitted to a private establishment, you need to check that this establishment is in the state scheme.

PHARMACIES

In France, prescription drugs are only available in a pharmacy. Over-the-counter medicines are available in pharmacies, chemists and in some large stores.

REIMBURSEMENTS

Medical expenses are reimbursed at the rate of 70% of the agreed fee. For example, the agreed fee for a consultation with a general practitioner is € 25 and with a specialist the fee varies between EUR 50 and 80. For a general practitioner, the reimbursement made by the local sickness insurance fund will be EUR 16.10, so you will have to pay EUR 6.90. The indicated reimbursement amount takes account of the patient’s contribution (‘ticket modérateur’) and the flat-rate contribution (‘participation forfaitaire’) of one euro.

As a general rule, health insurance does not reimburse all expenses, as part must be paid by the insured (this is the ‘ticket modérateur’).

You can see the various reimbursement rates on the following website: https://www.ameli.fr/

Links:

French Ministry of Health and Solidarity.

https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/

THE BROAD PRINCIPLES

In France, education is compulsory from 3 to 16 years of age. There are state-run schools (secular and free of charge), private schools under contract to the State (which must adhere to the Ministry’s official guidelines and curricula) and other private schools who are not under contract.

ORGANISATION OF EDUCATION

PRIMARY EDUCATION

Primary school encompasses nursery schools and elementary schools.

Nursery school is for children aged 3 to 6 (children who are 2½ years old are accepted under certain conditions). On 13 February 2019, the French National Assembly voted to lower the age of compulsory education from 6 to 3 years of age.
Elementary school is for all children, both French and foreign, between the ages of 6 and 11. It covers five years: CP (first year), CE1-CE2 (second and third years) and CM1-CM2 (fourth and fifth year).

SECONDARY EDUCATION

Lower secondary school (‘collège’) is for children aged 11 to 15 and covers the first three years. In principle, all children receive the same education. The ‘Diplôme National du Brevet’ is awarded at the end of lower secondary school.
Upper secondary school (‘lycée’) is for teenagers from 15 to 18 years of age. It comprises three years called: Seconde, Première and Terminale (respectively the first, second, and third and final years of upper secondary school). Upper secondary schools offer a wide variety of subjects. There are two types of school: those offering a general and technological education, ending with the Baccalauréat, and those vocational schools ending with the CAP (certificate of vocational proficiency), the BEP (vocational training certificate) or the ‘Baccalauréat professionnel’ (vocational Baccalauréat).
The Baccalauréat is a qualification which marks the completion of secondary education and gives access to higher education.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Two-year courses: the DUT (Technological university diploma), awarded by IUTs (University institutes of technology), and the BTS (higher vocational training certificate).
In 2019-2020, 2.73 million students were registered in higher education in mainland France and in the overseas departments, 11% of which were foreign internationally mobile students.
Colleges (Grandes Écoles) such as the ENA (National School of Administration), the École Polytechnique, the HEC Paris, and also many engineering and business schools. Candidates work hard for two years in ‘Classes Préparatoires’ [preparatory classes] in order to sit national entrance examinations for these colleges.

Websites to visit: www.education.gouv.fr - www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr

Links:

Ministry of National Education and Youth

Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation

http://www.education.gouv.fr/pid8/le-systeme-educatif.html

Online encyclopaedia, Studying in France

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89tudes_en_France

For all events in your private life, consult your consulate. The French authorities may ask you for certain administrative documents issued by your consulate.

BIRTHS

All births on French territory must be registered. Registration must be completed within 3 days of the birth.

Registration is requested by the father or, failing that, by the doctors or other people present at the birth. Births are registered at the town hall connected to the place of birth.

Note that, for unmarried parents, registering a birth is not equivalent to legal recognition of the child, except for the mother if she is named in the child’s birth certificate. Therefore, a voluntary recognition procedure must be completed to establish paternity.

MARRIAGE

In France, only civil marriage has legal value. Any two people can marry in France, even if they are not French nationals, as long as they are aged 18 or over (exemptions are possible).

The following conditions apply to the future married couple:

they must give their consent,
they must not be closely related by blood or marriage (exemptions are possible),
they must not already be married or bound by a civil solidarity pact (‘PACS’) to another person.

Notice of the marriage must be published, for a period of 10 days, at the town hall for the place or places where the future couple reside. The marriage may, therefore, take place from the 11th day.

The marriage must be conducted in a commune where at least one member of the couple has long-standing ties, whether directly or indirectly (i.e. through a parent).

CIVIL SOLIDARITY PACT (PACS)

This is a contract between two adults, which makes arrangements for their life together. Persons bound by a PACS must live at the same address.

For further information, contact the registry of the district court for the place of residence.

There are no obligations regarding nationality. However, a PACS may not be concluded between certain categories of people (ascendants, descendants, collateral relatives, etc.).

DEATH

Deaths must be registered, within 24 hours, at the town hall for the place where the person died.

See website: http://www.service-public.fr

ROAD NETWORK

The national road network spans 20 849 km: 12 379 km of motorways and 8 470 km of main roads.

Tolls are charged on most motorways, for example for a car:

Paris/Lyon: EUR 35.80
Paris/Lille: EUR 16.90
Paris/Bordeaux: EUR 56.20
Lyon/Marseille: EUR 25.20

The speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h. The speed limit on main roads is usually 80 km/h.

See website: http://fr.mappy.com/

RAIL NETWORK

Thanks to its 51 217 km of lines in service, including 1 884 km of high-speed lines, France is well-served by trains.

See website: https://www.sncf-reseau.com/fr/reseau

High-speed trains (TGV) make for very short journey times between the main towns and cities of France:

Paris/Lyon: 2 hours
Paris/Lille: 1 hour
Paris/Bordeaux: 2 hours 20 minutes
Paris/ Marseille: 3 hours

The SNCF (French National Railways) manages passenger transport. The cost of a journey often depends on the period of travel and when the ticket is bought. In general, the best price is obtained by buying the ticket a long time before the journey.

See website: www.voyages-sncf.com

AIR NETWORK

More than 150 French companies provide public freight and passenger transport services via over 150 airports in metropolitan France and overseas.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

Most large towns and cities are well-served by bus networks, trams (increasingly common in France), metros and suburban trains.

In the provinces, a private car is often essential.

Transport companies in large towns and cities normally publish their price lists on their websites and offer monthly deals for daily users. If you don’t know the distance of your journey, the price lists on these websites will enable you to determine a price ‘range’ as a first step.

See websites:

http://www.ratp.fr/ (Paris and Ile-de-France)
http://www.tcl.fr/ (Lyon)
http://www.rtm.fr/ (Marseille)
http://www.infotbc.com/ (Bordeaux)
http://www.tan.fr/ (Nantes)
http://www.transpole.fr/ (Lille)
http://www.tisseo.fr/ (Toulouse)
http://www.lignedazur.com/ (Nice)

Links:

Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition	https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr
Online encyclopaedia: List of metros in France	http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_m%C3%A9tros_de_France
Online encyclopaedia: List of trams in France	http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_tramways_de_France
French airports	http://www.aeroport.fr

Rooms/surface area	Paris	Paris Suburbs Paris	Lille	Nice
1/35m2	1000	800	490	595
2/60m2	1800	1200	840	1020
3-4/80m2	2400	1600	1120	1360

Ministry of Sport	http://www.sports.gouv.fr
Monuments of France	http://www.monum.fr
National Museums Association	http://www.rmn.fr
Musée du Louvre	http://www.louvre.fr
Musée d’Orsay	http://www.musee-orsay.fr
Theatres Online	http://www.theatreonline.com

Living and working conditions: France

Finding a job

Traineeships

Definition

Overview

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Living and working conditions

Where to find opportunities / job vacancies

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Funding and support

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Moving to another Member State

Working conditions

Living conditions

Living and working conditions: France

Finding a job

How to find a job

Apply for a job

Traineeships

Definition and eligibility

Definition

Overview

Eligibility

Information about the national quality framework

Implementation

Living and working conditions

Information for candidates

Where to find opportunities / job vacancies

Funding and support

Information for employers

Where to advertise opportunities

Funding and support

Apprenticeships

Definition and eligibility

Legal framework

Description of schemes

Eligibility

Information for candidates

Living and working conditions

Where to find opportunities / job vacancies

Funding and support

Information for employers

Where to advertise opportunities

Funding and support

Moving to another Member State

Movement of goods and capital

Finding accommodation

Finding a school

Taking a car with you (includes information on driving licences, etc)

Registration procedures and residence permits

Checklist for before and after you arrive in a new country

Working conditions

Summary of working conditions in Europe

Recognition of diplomas and qualifications

Types of employment

Employment contracts

Special categories of workers

Self-employment

Remuneration

Working hours

Leave (annual leave, parental leave, etc.)

End of employment

Representation of workers

Labour disputes - strikes

Vocational training

Living conditions

Summary of living conditions in Europe

The political, administrative and legal system

Income and taxation

Cost of living

Accommodation

The health system

The education system

Cultural and social life

Private life (birth, marriage, death)

Transport