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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

Official sources

CJEU C-55/18 (CCOO)CNIL — Working time monitoring

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

Official sources

Art. L1222-9 (Légifrance)URSSAF — Remote work (allowance)

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Disclaimer — for informational purposes only

The rules summarized on this page are simplified and may change (legislative reforms, case law, collective agreements, company-level agreements). They do not constitute legal advice or professional counsel. Before any HR, payroll or expansion decision, verify the official texts in force and, where applicable, consult legal counsel or a local expert. Sources are linked at the bottom of each section. Last updated: May 2026.