Working in France as a British Expat: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you moving to France for work?
Whether it’s a job assignment, a new job offer, a business venture, or just a change of scenery, it is vital to understand what such a career move can entail. This can help you plan your transition well.
In this guide, we will walk you through the legal requirements of working in France post-Brexit, the current job market status, language and culture considerations, and the cost of living, as well as cover other practical tips to help you settle in smoothly. We'll also provide insights on navigating healthcare and securing accommodation to ensure a seamless and well-prepared start to your new life in France.
Let us dive right in!
Work Permit and Visa
The post-Brexit transition period expired on December 31, 2020, and this was a significant shift in the relationship between the UK and the European Union. The transition period initially allowed for a temporary arrangement during which UK citizens could still benefit from the same rights and freedoms they had prior to Brexit. However, at the end of this period, new regulations and policies came into effect. These new rules essentially changed the legal landscape for UK citizens wishing to live and work in EU countries, including France.
A work permit and visa are the essential legal documents you need to work in France on a long-term basis—beyond the allowable 90-day period typically granted to tourists and short-term visitors.
Securing these documents not only ensures compliance with French immigration laws but also provides you with the legal status necessary to pursue employment opportunities, access social services, and integrate into the local community.
Types of Work Permits
The work permit in France is an official document that allows a foreign national to legally work in the country. It is usually requested by the employer before the employee's arrival in France.
The French government also requires the employer to publish the job offer for at least three weeks in a public employment agency before applying for a work permit for a UK national. This is to establish that the employer has sought locals to fill the position, but none has sufficiently passed and qualified for it.
There are various types of work permits and visas tailored to different professions and circumstances, so it’s important to understand the specific requirements and processes involved in obtaining them. This includes gathering necessary documentation, demonstrating your qualifications, and potentially securing a job offer from a French employer. By navigating this process carefully, you can establish a stable foundation for your career and life in France.
The long-stay visa or Visa de Long Séjour pour Travail, on the other hand, is equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) that authorises the holder to take up paid employment while residing in France.
Under this category are the following:
Long stay, multi-year visa that bears"entrepreneur/profession libérale"
Entrepreneurs and professionals who want to conduct their business in France may obtain the long stay, multi-year visa that bears"entrepreneur/profession libérale" (Self-employed in a regulated liberal profession). You can apply for this within two months of your arrival in France.
Talent passport
UK nationals who can contribute to France's economic growth may be eligible for a "Talent Passport." This special visa allows them to stay in France for up to four years to pursue their professional projects. It also grants them the flexibility to bring their family along right from the start. Both the individual and their family members will receive residence permits valid for the same period, authorizing them to live and work in France.
You may apply for talent passports if you are considered top-tier — essentially, a highly qualified employee whose salary is higher than the minimum wage in France, and you work in an innovative enterprise, international group, public or private research, or higher education.
You may also qualify for this permit If you are an internationally reputable entrepreneur or have an economically viable business to conduct in France or if you are employed as a performer, or artistic creator or are self-employed as such.
Recognized and Registered Professionals
If you are a licensed professional, such as a doctor, lawyer, or accountant, you may apply for long-stay visas and work as a professional. However, your profession should be recognized by the relevant French authorities.
Once recognised and registered by the governing professional body, the professional can apply for a long-stay visa and work permit. The talent passport may also be an option for duly recognised professionals if they meet certain criteria like having a high-level qualification or job offer.
Who is Exempt from the Work Permit and Visa?
For UK citizens, certain exemptions apply when needing a work permit or visa to work in France. Here's a guide to who is exempt:
EU/EEA or Swiss Family Members
If you are a UK citizen and married to or in a civil partnership with an EU/EEA or Swiss national, you may be exempt from needing a work permit, provided you hold a residence permit that allows you to stay and work in France.
Students
As a UK citizen studying in France on a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) or residence permit, you can work without needing a separate work permit. However, your working hours are limited to 964 hours per year (roughly 20 hours per week) while you study.
Short-Term Employment for Certain Professions
If you're working in France for a short period (under 90 days) and are in a specific category, such as a performer, athlete, or scientist attending conferences or events, you might not need a work permit. However, this depends on the nature of the work and agreements between the UK and France.
Diplomats and International Organization Staff
As a UK citizen employed as a diplomat or working for an international organization in France, you are generally exempt from work permit requirements.
It's important to check the specific conditions and criteria for each exemption, as these regulations can evolve due to the UK's post-Brexit status. Always verify with the French consulate or local authorities to ensure you're meeting all legal requirements.
How to Apply for a Visa and Work Permit
Requirements:
- Copy of valid passport, national identification, and photo
Note: Its date of issue must be less than ten years before your arrival date in France, and its expiry date must be at least 3 months before you leave France. - Completed visa application form
- Payment of visa processing fee
- Job or employment offer
- Initial employment contract
- Proof of education, like diploma
- Proof of work credentials like certificates, licence recognition
- Proof of accommodation or residence arrangement like lease contract and health insurance coverage
- ACRO certification for work involving sensitive roles and vulnerable environments
- Evidence of efforts made to seek a candidate already in the French labour market like publication of job offer
- For employees already resident in France, a copy of the residence permit.
- The employer’s commercial register
- For intra-company transfers, evidence of the relationship between the France-based company and the company based abroad.
- For positions subject to specific regulatory conditions, proof that these conditions are met
Application Process:
- Obtain a job or employment offer
- Prepare other documentary requirements
- Submit your application together with the requirements to the French embassy or consulate in your home country (this can be done online in some countries)
- Attend the interview
- Pay the visa processing fee
- Observe the waiting period
- Receive the visa
- Upon arriving in France, submit post-arrival requirements like OFII registration and residence permit requirements
Job Market
France actively welcomes foreign professionals who can contribute to its dynamic economy and help address its growing demand for skilled workers. In recent years, the country has experienced a notable skills gap, particularly in industries requiring technical expertise and advanced numerical abilities. Some sectors that require skilled workers include:
- Construction
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- IT
- Research and development
- Science
Aside from these, there is also a high demand for English language teaching jobs in France as more multinational companies set up shop in the country and require bilingual employees.
To find and secure teaching positions in France, you'll likely need a TEFL qualification as your basic credential. Opportunities for this teaching position exist in private and state schools, language schools, universities, or within a company where there is a need to strengthen employees’ English-speaking proficiency.
Language Considerations
There are many districts and companies in France where English is widely used. However, you can better fit into their work culture if you learn basic conversational expressions in French.
Working as an English teacher and other public-facing or frontline jobs such as in retail, hospitality, and healthcare also necessitates knowing conversational French in order to deliver better service to locals.
Workplace Culture
The French work culture is known for promoting work-life balance. French workers are hardworking but not to the point of exhaustion. Employees are provided with ample breaks and leaves and their right to disconnect is protected by law.
Work environments are hierarchical and relatively conservative. Dressing appropriately in the workplace is very important in France.
Networking and socials are also part of the work culture especially in business and professional circles because building trust is very important to the French. This trust-building period is cultivated through a series of meetings and conversations before considering entering into partnership with other professionals or businessmen.
Cost of Living
Living in France is 10% to 25% cheaper compared to the UK. To give you an idea, a three-course meal in France would cost around £43 while the same would cost £50 in the UK. Monthly utility bills in France are approximately £130 compared to the average £150 in the UK.
The cost of living in Paris is the highest in France. If you will be working outside Paris, like the country regions and the South of France, the cost is lower. Lyon, for example, is 11% cheaper than Paris, while Marseilles is 15% cheaper to live in than Paris.
According to Expatica.com, the average monthly costs for a single individual living in France is €955 before rent or over €1,000 in Paris. A studio or one-bedroom apartment in Paris would range from €300 to €1,500 while a 2-bedroom would cost €400 to over €2,500. The rental costs are lower in districts outside Paris.
Other Practical Tips
Here is some other essential information you need to know to make your live-work status in France more comfortable and worry-free.
Healthcare
As a British expat, you can gain access to France’s robust healthcare system by obtaining a Carte Vitale - a French social security card. You can apply for this by registering with your local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) once you arrive in France.
You may also apply to be covered by France’s universal health coverage system or PUMA (Protection Universelle Maladie).
Job Hunting
If you're already in France and are seeking an opportunity to work there, make sure that your CV is both in English and French. You can check out job sites like Jobs in Paris, Expatica jobs, Pôle Emploi, The Local, and other reputable platforms.
Opening an Account
We advise you to have your documents translated in French and bring a French-speaking friend with you to help you go through the application process smoothly.
You can open a bank account for non-residents in the bank of your choice by completing the application form and submitting the required documents: Your passport or other valid ID, proof of your French address, visa and other immigration documents, proof of status as an employee, businessman, professional, or student.
Renting in France
You can check out rental properties in France via platforms like rentola.fr, en.parisrental.com, parisattitude.com, lodgis.com, etc. If you want to work and live in France where there’s a large expat community, you may want to consider Lyon, Marseilles, Montpellier, and Nice.
Climate
If you prefer a warm climate with long, dry summers, mild winters, and warmth the rest of the year, the French Riviera coast in the South of France is the perfect region.
Paris is a hub for numerous international companies, making it a popular destination for expats. The city’s climate is generally mild, with comfortable summers that rarely get too hot and winters that are cold but not extreme. While light showers are frequent throughout the year, snowfall in Paris is usually light and occasional during winter, adding a gentle charm to the city’s seasonal landscape.
Transition with Ease
Once your work permit and visa are secured and your accommodation in France is arranged, you'll be all set to pack up and make the big move. For a smooth and hassle-free relocation, Gentlevan Removals can assist with transporting your belongings, whether you're moving to France or anywhere across the UK or Europe.
We provide packing, storing, and moving services to help get the weight of logistics off your shoulders and let you focus on the necessities of thriving in your new environment. Your transition begins here.
Contact us for a free quote today!