Introduction
France is famous for its worker-friendly labor policies, particularly regarding working hours and paid leave. These regulations aim to balance professional life and personal well-being, creating a structured and fair work environment. For foreign workers and newcomers in 2026, understanding French labor laws about hours, overtime, and leave is essential to ensure fair treatment, plan schedules, and maximize benefits. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of working hours, overtime rules, and paid leave in France.
Standard Working Hours in France
- The legal standard workweek in France is 35 hours.
- This applies to most full-time employees in private and public sectors.
- The 35-hour workweek is calculated as an average over a year, with daily and weekly limits observed.
Daily and Weekly Limits
- Maximum daily working hours: 10 hours per day.
- Maximum weekly working hours: 48 hours in exceptional cases, with a weekly average of 44 hours over 12 consecutive weeks.
- Workers are entitled to daily rest of 11 consecutive hours and a weekly rest of 35 consecutive hours, usually including Sunday.
Overtime in France
- Hours worked beyond 35 hours are considered overtime.
- Pay rates for overtime:
- 25% extra for the first 8 overtime hours (36–43 hours per week)
- 50% extra for hours beyond 43 hours per week
- Overtime may be compensated with extra pay or equivalent time off (RTT – Réduction du Temps de Travail).
- Some sectors have special rules or collective agreements that adjust overtime limits.
Part-Time Work
- Part-time employees’ hours are proportional to full-time hours, and their rights to rest and leave are also prorated.
- Part-time workers cannot exceed maximum daily or weekly limits unless agreed under specific contracts.
Paid Leave in France
1. Annual Paid Vacation
- All employees in France are entitled to 5 weeks of paid vacation per year.
- Vacation accrues at a rate of 2.5 days per month worked.
- Vacation periods are usually agreed between employer and employee, with priority sometimes given to older or long-serving employees.
2. Public Holidays
- France has 11 official public holidays:
- New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An)
- Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)
- Labor Day (Fête du Travail – May 1)
- Victory in Europe Day (8 May)
- Ascension Day
- Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte)
- Bastille Day (14 July)
- Assumption of Mary (15 August)
- All Saints’ Day (1 November)
- Armistice Day (11 November)
- Christmas Day (25 December)
- Working on public holidays may result in extra pay or compensatory leave.
3. Special Leave
- Maternity leave: Minimum 16 weeks, extended for multiple births.
- Paternity leave: Up to 28 days in 2026 (recently extended) for fathers.
- Parental leave: Shared leave for child-rearing purposes.
- Sick leave: Paid based on social security contributions and company policy.
- Family emergency leave: For serious illness or death of family members.
Time-Off Policies
- Some companies provide additional RTT days to compensate for extra hours worked beyond 35 hours, especially in sectors with longer working hours.
- Employees may also negotiate unpaid leave or flexible schedules with their employer.
Overtime and Leave Tips for Foreign Workers
- Always verify your employment contract for workweek expectations and leave entitlements.
- Track hours worked carefully; overtime should be recorded and compensated according to law.
- Learn to request vacation formally and in advance to ensure approval.
- Understand local conventions and collective agreements, which may offer better conditions than the legal minimum.
- Keep in mind that high-tourism sectors, healthcare, and hospitality may have variable schedules and peak periods affecting hours and leave.
Conclusion
France’s labor laws in 2026 provide clear rules for working hours and paid leave, ensuring employees maintain work-life balance while protecting their rights. Full-time workers typically have a 35-hour workweek, with structured overtime pay and rest periods, while part-time employees have proportional rights. Paid leave includes five weeks of annual vacation, public holidays, and various special leaves. Understanding these rules allows foreign workers to plan their schedules, avoid exploitation, and enjoy the benefits of working legally in France.