How To Live & Work In France As A Foreigner

For many people all over the world, working in France is a dream. The thought of living in such a gorgeous country which is also wealthy and culturally influential is a very attractive one. 

But the question is, are there jobs in France for foreigners?

Why TEFL is best for job opportunities in France

Teaching English in France offers good wages and a great lifestyle. 

TEFL teachers can find jobs in France in government schools, private schools and language centres as teachers and teaching assistants. Competition is tough for these posts and a Bachelor’s degree and teaching license are generally required for school posts.

Another option is to teach through a government program, such as TAPIF. This is a very common way for Americans to work in France. The TAPIF program hires Americans to work as teaching assistants in state schools. 

If you’re not an EU citizen it can be quite a process to get a Work Visa for France. If it seems too complicated to apply for a Work Visa, you can attend a language school in France, learn French and legally work up to 10 hours a week. Many English teachers do this and use their quota of working hours to tutor students privately.

The average salary for a TEFL teacher in France is between €1,000 – €2,000 ($1,100 – $2,200) a month.

Read more: Teach English In France

Requirements to work abroad in France

EU citizens, EEA citizens and Swiss citizens don’t require a visa to work in France. Nationals from other countries do. 

A Work Visa requires an endorsement by a French company so it’s necessary to secure a job before coming into the country.

A Bachelor’s degree is required for a Work Visa for France. If you don’t need a Work Visa it’s possible to find seasonal and teaching jobs without a degree.

The best cities to live in France

Paris, Marseilles, Lyon and Toulouse are all good options for expats, depending on their work in France and on their interests and lifestyle.

Paris is a catchall for many different fields. It’s best for expats who enjoy big-city living. Paris is especially popular with American expats. 

Lyon is an economic hub and a hotspot for the banking, pharmaceutical and technology sectors. And it’s a great spot for foodies because it’s known for its gastronomy.

Bordeaux is world-famous for its wine, so if you’re an oenophile then you should definitely check out the job options here for foreigners. 

Toulouse is much quieter than the other cities. Marseilles is a busy port city with a laid-back vibe.

Do you need to speak French to work in France?

Most jobs in France require competency in French. Though the French have a high level of English proficiency, French is the preferred language of choice. This is especially true in business but equally so in day-to-day life. 

Being an English teacher in France means you don’t need to know French to get a job as an English language teacher. An exception is if you want to join the TAPIF program. But as always, it’s worthwhile to make an effort to learn at least the foundations of French to communicate with and endear yourself to the local community. 

Currently, there is high unemployment in France. This means that a knowledge of French is a must to compete against local French employees in fields of skill shortages. 

To prove your proficiency in French you can take the official French proficiency certificates, known as DELF and DALF.

Salaries, benefits and cost of living in France

Employees in France work 35 hours a week. Employees are entitled to 25 annual leave days a year. Plus there are 11 national holidays. A work-life balance is an important aspect of employment in France. In fact, in 2017 a law was passed forbidding the sending of work emails or messages out of office hours!

Living in France is quite expensive, especially in the big cities like Paris. After all, you’re living in a first-class city. Rural areas outside the cities are likely to have lower costs of living, though amenities may not be as accessible.

Seasonal workers can expect the minimum wage. Thankfully, France has one of the highest minimum wages in Europe at €11.65 ($12.50) an hour. 

Employees can also expect health insurance and paid sick leave, as well as 16 weeks’ paid maternity leave, and between 3 and 25 days’ paternity leave – provided certain requirements are satisfied. 

What types of jobs are popular in France?

Temporary or permanent, there are various employment opportunities in France, even for foreigners. 

The major industries for work opportunities in France for foreigners are:

• business
• childcare
• education
• hospitality
• tourism
• culinary work, and
• viticultural work.

Tourism is a big contributing factor to the economy, so there are plenty of seasonal jobs available like au pairing, English language teaching on summer camps, or working at ski resorts.

English teacher

The majority of English teaching jobs in France are in Paris. But it’s also the most expensive city, and the most competitive for jobs in France.

A little bit south, Lyon is an attractive option for TEFL teachers who specialise in Business English.

Read more: What Is English For Specific Purposes And How Do I Teach It?

Even further south, Marseille is another big-city option for job openings in France for English teachers. 

To teach English in France, you need to be a native English-speaker from the USA, the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia or South Africa, have a Bachelor’s degree and a TEFL qualification.

Tourism and hospitality

Consistently ranked as the top tourist destination in the world, France offers jobs in tourism and hospitality at the next level. 

Many positions are available for English-speakers in the tourism and hospitality industries, including chef, restaurant staff and hotel management.

Digital nomad

France doesn’t have a specific visa for digital nomads. Most nationalities are eligible for a Schengen Visa which allows you to stay in the EU for 90 days. Strictly speaking, this is a tourist visa and not a Working Visa. 

If you’re from the EU or EEA don’t need a visa to enter or work in France.

The French equivalent of a Digital Nomad Visa is a Long-Term Stay Visa, which allows you to stay in France for up to a year. This visa is the one most commonly used by freelancers and remote workers to work in France. 

Both Paris and Lyon are popular with remote workers, with both offering good infrastructure but different paces of life.

Ready to work abroad in France?

Fancy a career in croissants? Head to France and find the work abroad opportunity of your dreams.