France Labor Law Guide 🇫🇷
Employees are entitled to 2.5 working days of paid leave per month of actual work, totaling 30 working days (5 weeks) per year.
France Labor Law Guide
Employees are entitled to 2.5 working days of paid leave per month of actual work, totaling 30 working days (5 weeks) per year.
Primary Legislation
Code du Travail
Secondary Legislation
Code du Travail
View France Holiday Calendar
See all public holidays for France in 2025
View the complete holiday calendar →Ensure Compliance Automatically
Leavo keeps your leave policies aligned with local labor laws, so you never have to worry about regulatory changes.
Start Free TrialGeneral Statutory Framework
Essential compliance data regarding minimum entitlement and standard work hours in France.
Ref: Code du Travail Art. L3141-3Employees are entitled to 2.5 working days of paid leave per month of actual work, totaling 30 working days (5 weeks) per year.
Accrual
Accrues monthly (2.5 days/month). Reference period: June 1st to May 31st.
Carry Over
Generally not permitted. Leave must be taken by May 31st.
Standard Week
35 hours
Max Weekly
48 hours
Max Daily
10 hours
Rest Period
11 consecutive hours between shifts.
Employment Contract & Termination
Notice Period
Depends on seniority and status (Cadre vs Non-Cadre). Typically 3 months for executives.
Code du Travail L.1234-1Probation Period
2 months (workers), 3 months (technicians), 4 months (executives). Renewable once.
Code du Travail L.1221-19Core Labor Obligations
Operational rules regarding leave requests, sick pay, and public holiday work that every HR manager must know.
Ref: Code du Travail Art. L3133-6Leave Requests
Typically 1 month in advance. Employer must communicate the order of departures.
Sick Pay
Social Security (IJSS) + Employer top-up after 3 days waiting period.
Holiday Work
Only May 1st is mandatory double pay. Others depend on CBA.
Part-Time Calculation
Pro-rata based on days worked, ensuring equal treatment.
Parental & Family Leave
Maternity Leave
6 weeks pre-natal, 10 weeks post-natal. Paid by Social Security.
Code du Travail L.1225-17Paternity/Partner Leave
Mandatory 4 days + 21 days optional. Must be taken within 6 months of birth.
Code du Travail L.1225-35Sick Pay & Compensation
Sick Pay
Social Security pays ~50%. Employers must top up to 90% (or 100% depending on CBA) after a waiting period.
Source: Code du Travail Art. L1226-1Specific Laws & Regulations
Unique regulations and legal concepts that distinguish the France labor market from others.
Right to Disconnect
Companies with >50 employees must negotiate rules ensuring employees are not required to answer emails/calls outside working hours.
RTT Days
Employees working more than 35 hours are entitled to compensatory rest days (RTT).
Main Holiday Period
Employees must take at least 12 continuous days between May 1st and October 31st.
Sunday Work
Working on Sundays is generally prohibited unless specific derogations apply.
Centralize Your Global Compliance
Relying on local counsel or static wikis for labor law compliance leaves you vulnerable. Leavo provides a single system of record that monitors statutory changes and updates your policies automatically.
- Single source of truth for legal data
- Full compliance tracking & audit logs
- Real-time statutory updates
Frequently Asked Questions
Are employees compensated if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
Generally, no. It is usually lost unless a collective agreement grants a recovery day.
What happens if an employee falls ill while on annual leave?
If the employee provides a medical certificate, the days of illness are converted to sick leave.
Are public holidays paid time off?
Yes, for employees with at least 3 months seniority, public holidays are paid non-working days.
Looking for the holiday calendar?
View the official France public holiday list for 2025.
Legal Guides by Country
Select a jurisdiction to view detailed labor law requirements.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult official government sources and legal counsel for compliance matters.
Automate Compliance Checks
Ensure your France team's leave policies align with statutory requirements automatically.