CHAPTER 15 · EARNING WHILE STUDYING
Part-time jobsand internships.
With a valid student visa you can work up to 964 hours a year (60% of full-time) without a separate permit. The minimum wage is €12.31 gross an hour since 1 June 2026. Internships over two months must pay at least €4.50 an hour in 2026.
Published by Althéa Consulting · Adviser: Harshita Kohli
Source review: · How to use our guides
- Work allowance
- 964 hours / year
- Minimum wage (SMIC)
- €12.31 gross / hour
- Since 1 June 2026
- Internship minimum (2026)
- €4.50 / hour
- For internships over 2 months
- Separate work permit
- Not needed
- Employer declares you in advance
Common student jobs
| Job | Where to look | French needed |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, café, delivery | Local shops, apps, Indeed | Basic–conversational |
| Retail and supermarkets | Store websites, Indeed | Conversational |
| Tutoring and English teaching | Student job boards, word of mouth | Low for English lessons |
| Campus jobs (library, events, ambassador) | University job portal | Varies |
| Babysitting | Specialised platforms | Conversational |
| Tech freelancing / research assistant | University labs, LinkedIn | Low in international teams |
Rules to respect
- Your visa must be validated before you start working.
- Your employer must declare you to the prefecture before your first day.
- Stay within 964 hours over the year; exceeding it can cost you your residence permit.
- Internships that are part of your course are covered by an internship agreement (convention de stage), not counted as a job.
- Algerian students follow different rules under a bilateral agreement.
Alternance (work-study)
Alternance programmes split time between school and a company that pays you a salary and often covers tuition. They are popular in business and engineering master's programmes. International students can follow alternance programmes, but your work authorisation and status depend on your situation — check with the school and prefecture before signing.
IN DEPTH · TAP A TOPIC TO OPEN
What you will actually earn
| Hours per week | Gross per month at SMIC | Approx. net per month |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | about €533 | about €420 |
| 15 | about €800 | about €630 |
| 20 | about €1,067 | about €840 |
Where students find jobs
- University job boards and student job services
- StudentJob, Indeed, Hellowork, Jobteaser (through your school)
- Restaurants, cafés, retail and hotels near your campus
- Tutoring English, maths or coding
- Campus jobs: library, events, international office ambassadors
- Delivery platforms (check status rules carefully before signing up as self-employed)
Pay slips, tax and your rights
Every employer must give you a contract and a monthly pay slip (bulletin de paie). Keep them: they prove your hours for permit renewals. Income tax is withheld at source if you earn enough; students under 26 benefit from a large exemption on student-job income in most cases. You must file a French tax return each spring once you are tax-resident, even if you owe nothing — it is often required for CAF and permit renewals.
QUICK ANSWERS
Your questions, answered.
Up to 964 hours a year, which is 60% of the legal full-time year — about 20 hours a week on average.
€12.31 gross an hour since 1 June 2026 in mainland France, which is €1,867.02 gross a month for a 35-hour week.
Your total is limited to 964 hours a year. You can work more hours in some weeks, including summer, as long as the yearly total stays within the limit.
Internships that are part of your programme, with a signed internship agreement (convention de stage), do not count as a student job.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Keep going: the pages that help next.
Each card says what you will find there. Looking for something else? See every page on the site.
FRANCE GUIDE
Jobs & careers in France
Sectors hiring in France, graduate salary ranges, where to search, French CV and interview tips, and how to turn an internship into a job.
FRANCE GUIDE
Stay & work after graduation
Job-search permit (APS/RECE) for Indian graduates in France, salary thresholds for work permits, Talent Passport and 5-year Schengen visa.
JOBS
Jobs & careers
Thousands of real, open jobs, internships and alternance, with the French words for each job.
CAREERS
Career support in France
How we help with CVs, interviews, internships and your first job in France.
TOOL
Compare countries
Compare countries on fees, living costs, visa rules and post-study work, in one table.
YOUR OWN PLAN
Questions about
France?
Bring your profile, budget and timeline. We will turn this guide into a plan for you.
Book a consultation