One of the best things about student and working holiday visas is that they let you work in France to help cover your expenses.
Read on to find out how to find a part-time job and what rules you need to follow for your visa.
Key takeaways
- You don’t need to speak French for every job, but knowing some French can help you find more opportunities.
- With a student or working holiday visa in France, you can work part-time without needing a separate permit, unless you are an Algerian student.
- If you have a student visa, you can work up to about 20 hours a week. With a working holiday visa, you can work up to 35 hours a week.
- As of January 2026, the minimum wage (SMIC) is €12.02 per hour before taxes. After taxes, you usually take home about €9.52 per hour.
- You can often find jobs in retail, hospitality, childcare, tutoring, delivery, or seasonal work.
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 some French will make it easier to find a wider variety of jobs and help you feel more at home. 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.
Here are some of the most popular student jobs in France and what you might expect to earn.
| Waiter/Waitress | Many students in France choose to work as waiters or waitresses. You can usually earn between €10.50 and €13 per hour, and in bigger cities, you might also get tips. |
| Cashier | Many supermarkets and shops in France hire students as cashiers, especially for evening or weekend shifts. Big chains like Monoprix, Carrefour, and Franprix often need new staff. Pay is usually between €11 and €12 per hour. |
| Retail Associate | If you like fashion, books, or gadgets, working as a retail associate might suit you. Stores such as Decathlon or Fnac often have openings, and pay is usually around €10.50 to €12 per hour. |
| Stock Clerk | If you like quiet, behind-the-scenes work, being a stock clerk might suit you. Grocery stores like Lidl, E.Leclerc, Auchan, Carrefour, and Monoprix often hire students for these roles, with pay between €10 and €12 per hour. |
| Babysitting & Tutoring | Babysitting is a flexible job for students who like spending time with kids. You could play games, help with homework, or share your culture or language. If you are good at a subject, tutoring is another way to earn money and help others. Pay is usually between €8 and €13 per hour, depending on your experience and the family’s needs. |
| Delivery | If you like being active, delivery jobs could be a good choice. You might deliver food for Uber Eats or Deliveroo, or work for La Poste. This job helps you learn your way around the city and offers flexible hours. Pay is usually €10 to €15 per hour, and you might earn more with tips or bonuses. |
| Seasonal Job Worker | If you want a short-term job or want to mix work with adventure, seasonal jobs are a good option. You could work at the beach in summer, pick grapes in the countryside, or find a winter job at a ski resort. Pay depends on the job, but is usually between €10 and €15 per hour. |
How can I find a student job in France?
Start your job search on websites like Jobaviz, Welcome to the Jungle, or other online job boards. Before you apply, update your resume and prepare a motivation letter that aligns with what French employers are looking for.
Many companies in France regularly post student job openings on these sites, especially for part-time work in retail and hospitality.
- Grocery store chains like Lidl, E.Leclerc, Auchan, and Monoprix often hire students for cashier and stock clerk positions.
- Fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC also offer flexible schedules that work well with student class schedules.
- La Poste, the French postal service, hires part-time staff to help during busy seasons.
Try not to focus only on big companies when looking for work. Many local shops, cafes, restaurants, tourism businesses, and cultural venues also hire students directly, especially in cities like Paris and Nice that attract many international tourists. In France, it’s normal to visit local businesses and hand in your resume in person. Feel free to approach bakeries, cafés, or restaurants near you with your resume.
Many language schools and universities in France also help students look for part-time jobs. They can help you find job postings or give advice on your resume and motivation letter. It’s a good idea to check with your school to see what support they offer when you’re searching for part-time work.
Want more tips about studying, working, and living in France? Check out our blog for helpful guides and the latest updates!
