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France
Governed by the French Labour Code. Statutory workweek 35 h (Art. L3121-27), overtime capped at 220 h/year, 11 h daily rest, 35 h weekly rest. Time tracking required — including remote work.
Reference authority: Ministry of Labour · Labour Inspectorate · DGT
Labour Code
Code
35 h
Statutory week
+13 h
Max OT/week
11 h
Daily rest
35 h
Weekly rest
220 h/yr
OT cap
Statutory working time
Art. L3121-27
35 h/week reference — 10 h/day max (unless agreement)
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly statutory | 35 h | Labour Code L3121-27 | Reference |
| Max daily | 10 h | Labour Code L3121-18 | Possible derogation |
| Max absolute weekly | 48 h | Labour Code L3121-20 | Over 12 consecutive weeks |
| Max avg 12 wks | 44 h | Labour Code L3121-22 | — |
Day-fixed package
218 d/yr executives
Hour-fixed
Weekly or annual
Official sources
Labour Code — Working time (Légifrance)Overtime
Art. L3121-28
Premium 25 % (first 8) then 50 %
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 8 OT hours | +25 % pay | Art. L3121-28 | Hours 36-43 |
| Beyond 8 OT hours | +50 % pay | Art. L3121-28 | From hour 44 |
| Annual cap | 220 h/yr | Art. L3121-30 | Without company agreement |
| Mandatory comp rest | Beyond cap | Art. L3121-33 | 100 % for 20+ employees |
CBA
May increase 10-50 %
Comp rest
Alternative to pay
Official sources
Labour Code — Overtime (Légifrance)Rest & breaks
Art. L3131-1
11 h daily · 35 h weekly · 20-min break every 6 h
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily rest | 11 consecutive h | Art. L3131-1 | Between two days |
| Weekly rest | 35 consecutive h | Art. L3132-2 | 24 h + 11 h Sunday |
| Mandatory break | 20 min | Art. L3121-16 | Every 6 h worked |
| Workers 16-17 | 12 h daily | Art. L3164-1 | + 30 min break/4 h |
Derogation
Collective agreement
Penalties
Class 4 fine
Official sources
Labour Code — Rest (Légifrance)Night / Sunday / holiday work
Art. L3122-1
Night 9pm-6am · Sunday requires authorization · holidays except 1 May
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night work | 9pm-6am | Art. L3122-2 | Compensation: rest + premium |
| Night worker | 270 h/year min | Art. L3122-5 | Enhanced medical monitoring |
| Sunday work | Rest by default | Art. L3132-3 | Sector derogations |
| Public holidays | 11 legal holidays | Art. L3133-1 | 1 May paid mandatory off |
Night premium
By CBA
Sunday derogation
Prefectural or CBA
Official sources
Labour Code — Night work (Légifrance)Time recording
CJEU C-55/18
Tracking required — objective and reliable system (CJEU 2019)
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time tracking | Reliable objective system | Labour Code L3171-2 | CJEU CCOO ruling 2019 |
| Tracking form | Paper, electronic, biometric | CNIL guidance | Biometrics: GDPR DPIA |
| Retention | 3 years (hours worked) | Art. L3171-3 | Individual display mandatory |
| Tracking document | Monthly summary | Art. D3171-12 | Provided on request |
Penalties
€750/employee fine
Audit
Labour inspector
Remote & flex work
Art. L1222-9
Agreement or charter · right to disconnect · allowance recommended
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal framework | Agreement, charter or simple consent | Art. L1222-9 | No prior authorization |
| Right to disconnect | Modalities by agreement | Art. L2242-17 | Companies 50+ employees |
| Work injury | Presumption of attribution | Art. L1222-9 | Home = workplace |
| Allowance | No legal obligation | URSSAF 2026 | Lump sum €13.50/month (10 d/mo) untaxed |
Reversibility
Guaranteed for employee
Expenses
Employer covers pro use
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