A big advantage of student and working holiday visas is that you can work in France to help support yourself.
Keep reading to learn how to find a part-time job and what rules apply to your visa.
Do I need to apply for a part-time work permit?
No, you don’t need to apply separately. Your visa now includes the right to work. Only Algerian students still need a separate permit, as their situation follows the Franco-Algerian Agreement of December 27, 1968. Other students can work without extra steps.
Keep in mind that your visa type (student or working holiday) affects how many hours you can work each week.
How many hours can I work?
It depends on your visa. With a student visa, you can work up to about 20 hours per week, which is 60% of the standard 35-hour workweek. With a working holiday visa, you can work up to 35 hours per week.
How much can I earn per hour?
France has a legal minimum wage called SMIC. This hourly wage is set by law and is updated every year to keep up with inflation.
As of January 2026, the minimum wage is €12.02 per hour before taxes. After about 20% tax, you take home around €9.52 per hour. For example, if you work 10 hours a week at minimum wage, you’ll earn about €380 net per month.
Do I need to speak French to find a student job in France?
No, you don’t have to speak French. Many international students find jobs teaching their native language or working in restaurants, cafés, hotels, or shops, especially in tourist areas where other languages are needed.
However, learning French will give you more job options and help you feel more comfortable in daily life. It’s also a good way to improve your language skills outside of class.
What types of jobs can I do?
In France, students often work part-time in retail, hospitality, and food service, like supermarkets, clothing stores, cafés, and fast-food restaurants. Many also find jobs in childcare, tutoring, or teaching their native language, but these are often found through personal contacts, so ask your language school for help connecting with locals. Some do delivery work or take seasonal jobs in tourism, farming, or ski resorts.
Several companies regularly recruit students for part-time jobs, especially in retail and hospitality. Supermarket chains such as Lidl, E.Leclerc, Auchan, and Monoprix frequently hire students for cashier and stocking positions. Fast-food brands like McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC also offer flexible schedules suited to student timetables. La Poste, the national postal service, also hires part-time staff to face peak seasons.
In addition to large companies, many local shops, cafés, restaurants, tourism businesses, and cultural venues hire students directly, especially in cities that attract large numbers of international tourists, such as Paris and Nice.
How can I find a student job in France?
You can look for jobs on websites like France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi), Jobaviz, Welcome to the Jungle, or other online job boards.
Make sure to update your resume and write a cover letter that matches what French employers expect.
Note that in France, it is also common practice to visit local shop owners and hand your resume spontaneously. Don’t hesitate to hand your resume to your bakeries, cafés, or restaurants in your area.
Want more tips about studying, working, and living in France? Check out our blog for helpful guides and the latest updates!
