Higher education in France: can we work at the same time?

Do you want to know if you can work during your studies in France, how many hours you are allowed to work, what salary to expect and where to find a job without compromising your academic success?
This article explains everything to you: the rules you need to know, The calculation of the SMIC, the authorized hour limits and the best options for applying.

Working in France during your studies: what you need to know

Good news: yes, you can work while studying in France! However, everything depends on your nationality and the type of residence permit you have.

Students who are citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland can exercise an unrestricted professional activity.
Non-EU students must hold a “student” residence permit or a Long stay visa Valant residence permit (VLS-TS) authorizing them to work, within the limits provided by law.

The rules you need to know

• You can work up to 964 hours per year, which is approximately 60% of a full time.
• Beyond this limit, a prior authorization is mandatory.
• Les internships integrated into the curriculum do not count towards this quota and often benefit from a specific compensation.
• If you are Algerian student, the Franco-Algerian Convention Set specific rules, which are sometimes more advantageous depending on your situation. Consult service-public.fr to find out what provisions apply to your case.

Practical advice
Always check validity and mentions of your residence permit before accepting a job.

In case of doubt, contact The international relations department of your establishment or The prefecture to ensure that your employment complies with regulations.

How many hours can you work and how much can you earn

Do you want to work during your studies to make ends meet? Here are the concrete guidelines you need to know.

Minimum wage (SMIC)

All work in France must be paid at least according to the hourly minimum wage, i.e. 11,65€ gross.
This corresponds to approximately €9.20 net per hour after social deductions.

The number of hours allowed per year

The regulations are clear:
An international student can work up to 964 hours per year, which is approximately 20:00 per week.

You can work more while on vacation, as long as you don't exceed this annual quota.

In case of overrun, the employer must request a Provisional Work Authorization (APT) without this, he may be held responsible for a violation of labor law.

What to remember
Respects the annual limit authorized hours.

The types of jobs available to students

Many jobs are adapted to a university schedule:

Student jobs on campuses (libraries, associations, university reception) are also very practical because they adapt to your course schedules.

The advantages of a student job in France

Beyond the financial aspect, working in parallel with your studies gives you:

It is also a great opportunity to improve your French and to create a professional network.

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