According to the United Nations (UN), 14.2% of France's population is made up of immigrants, which indicates that the country is open to receiving foreign professionals to boost its economic apparatus.
Although the country offers office 365 email address data opportunities for qualified professionals, there are also seasonal jobs, positions in the world of technology and communications or physiotherapy, to name a few examples.
Find other useful guides to create an application to work in other countries:
Without further ado, let's get to what you're interested in: how to start working in France and welcome your new professional life. C'est parti!
General information about France
The French Republic has been a member of the European Union since 1958 and enjoys significant diplomatic and economic importance not only within the European bloc but throughout the world.
France is the world's seventh largest economy and the second largest power in the European Union.
Its economy is largely supported by its aeronautical and automobile industries, which offer some of the best job opportunities in the country.
It also has a powerful pharmaceutical and food sector. Chains such as Carrefour are the second largest food seller in the world, only behind giants such as Walmart.
After Germany, it is one of the countries with the most job offers available according to the European Mobility Portal (EURES). Currently, it has around 550,000 job opportunities in various areas.
From a tourist perspective, France is the most visited country in the world due to its cultural and natural wealth and its impressive gastronomy. For all these reasons, France is one of the main destinations in Europe.
Requirements to work in France
Following the free movement agreements throughout the European Economic Area (EEA), to work in France as a Spaniard, a visa is not required in advance. You can live and work in France with a Spanish identity document.
In fact, a Spaniard can reside in French territory for 3 months without having to apply for a residence card.
However, although it is not necessary to work in France, the Iberian authorities recommend requesting this document from the corresponding police prefecture once you have found a job.
To start your procedures to work in France , you must:
Have accommodation in the country (you can rent privately, look for a residence or share a flat)
Register and obtain the French Social Security number and the Carte Vitale (French Health Insurance Card)
Have a bank account in a French entity
Important: remember that these requirements apply to a Spanish citizen, or a citizen of a country in the European Union. If you come from a third country, you will need to apply for a visa to work in France and meet a series of additional requirements.
Registration with the French Public Employment Service
The next step is to register with the French Public Employment Service (Pôle Emploi) or National Employment Agency, as a job seeker.
To do so, you must complete an online form on the agency's official website and then arrange an interview with an advisor.
Requirements for registering for the service include:
The French Health Card
Documents relating to my activities (these documents are not essential to complete the online application, but will facilitate entry. They will be requested later)
Curriculum vitae in French (if you have it)
Bank Identity Statement (RIB)
Access codes to “my personal space” (if you have it)
Tips for finding a job in France
Speaking French will give you a considerable advantage when looking for work in France. Ideally, this should be combined with solid work experience and a good network of contacts.
In terms of work experience, the best jobs are usually aimed at professionals with the best training and experience in the field. In France, this is no exception.
However, it is possible to find some opportunities where no minimum experience is required, although such offers have the lowest salaries.
Building a good network of contacts in your area can open the doors to job opportunities in France or even improve your current position.
For example, a good way to start generating contacts is to take a course or some professional training in the country. If it allows you to do an internship, even better.
This will not only help you grow professionally, but also help you integrate better into society and meet people in your environment who can put you in contact, directly or indirectly, with employment opportunities.
