Best Part Time Jobs in France for International Students

Studying in France is an exciting opportunity for Indian students, but managing living expenses in cities like Paris, Lyon, or Toulouse can be challenging. The good news? International students in France are legally allowed to work part-time while pursuing their studies, making it easier to support themselves financially and gain valuable work experience. Overseas students can work in cafes, call centres and restaurants and can even provide tuition classes while studying for a full-time higher degree in France. Part time job roles in France such as that of library assistants, research assistants, etc., are also offered by a few universities on campus.

In 2026, France continues to welcome thousands of Indian students each year - offering them not just world-class education but also the chance to work up to 964 hours annually (roughly 20 hours per week during the semester). Whether you're looking for on-campus jobs, retail positions, tutoring opportunities or internships in your field of study, France's student-friendly work policies make it possible to earn while you learn. This article covers everything Indian students need to know about part time jobs in France for international students in 2026.

Check:

• Popular Job Sectors in France

• Highest Paying Jobs in the World

Benefits of Part time Jobs in France

Given below are some of the benefits of having a part time job in France:

• Exposure: As an international student, you are going to get exposure while doing part time jobs in France. You are going to learn a lot about business, culture, and finances in France. This experience will help you enhance your resume and your market value will increase once you graduate.
• Extra Earnings: Earning that extra income through a part time job will help you cover your cost of living and offset some part of the tuition fee for studying abroad.
• Skill Development: It is a fact that when you are doing a part time job in France, you are going to carve out a niche for yourself and learn about so many different things. Additionally, you are going to develop new skills while doing any part time job in France.
• Networking: While doing a part time job in France, you are going to get the opportunity to network. You are going to build new relationships with great people while doing the part time job.

Check all about post study work permit in France for Indian students.

Ways to Get Part time Jobs in France

In order to get part time opportunities in France, you can follow any of the ways given below:

• You can inquire from the university about the jobs that are available for international students. Almost all the good institutes have a dedicated career centre which can help them find suitable part time on-campus and off-campus jobs. One can also approach them and ask for help with resume writing as well as job interviews.
• Confirm the job positions from your seniors and professors. They will guide you to the best positions available in different fields.
• Also, you can check the newspapers and bulletin boards of your university.
• You can check for the jobs around your neighbourhood online over the job portals.
• France has multiple job firms which can assist you in getting placed into a part time job as per your qualifications, interests and skills.
• Direct applications may also be sent to companies which hold their interest by students searching for part time opportunities

Part time Jobs in France: Rules and Regulations

When you decide to study in France, you are bound to wonder about the many rules regarding the Part time work options in France for International Students. Hence, before we list out the many possibilities open, here’s what the laws suggest and how much you can earn while studying in France. 

1. An international student from outside of the European Union, which is what Indian students are, can work for a maximum of 964 hours in any given year (20 hours per week) provided,
   1. The university they are working for does not have any objection to the same
   2. The student has a valid residency permit
   3. Students need not obtain temporary employment authorisation, Autorisation Provisoire de Travail (APT - Temporary Work Permit) anymore. The residency permit has an inbuilt clause for the same.
2. All students in France, including the students enrolled in the first year of university as well as students enrolled in a language program, are eligible to work in France.
3. Your job schedule should not interfere with your studies and program structure at the concerned university
4. The minimum wage rule applies to all working students. The minimum hourly wage rate is set at €12.02 per hour (before taxes), as of 01 January 2026. After the reduction of social security contributions, which are around 20% of the gross amount, the student makes somewhere around €9.52 per hour. Hence, a student working at least 10 hours a week earns more than at least €95. 
5. Cumulatively, a student can earn somewhere between €9,000 and €13,000 per year by working part time in France in 2026.  Though this is not enough to compensate for the high cost of living, it is surely a handy pocket allowance.
6. Those who are pursuing a 6-month program are allowed to work for 472 hours.
7. A student can also apply for and get employment at the university she/he is studying in or at any other higher institute/ university. Students at a university are offered a contract for one year that covers the period of 1 September through 31 August. The time is split in the manner
   1. Maximum of 670 hours in the period between 1 September and 30 June (Part time)
   2. Up to 300 hours between July 1 and August 31 (full-time)

It is important to remember that some courses might have an in-built internship. These programs usually do not allow students to take up Part time work. Irrespective of the laws, if the program does not permit a student to work Part time, they cannot work. It is, hence, important to check with the University regarding the same.

Also Read: Difference Between MBA, MIM and MSc in France for International Students

Part time Jobs in France for International Students

A lot of Part time job options will be there in France for international students. There are different divisions of jobs that have been listed below:

University Part time Jobs: In order to gain some extra earnings, French universities offer a number of Part time jobs to international students. The Part time jobs that a student can take up at the university are at the Administrative office, library, bookstore, cafeteria, tech support, and as a campus guide.

Assistantship: At times, many professors in French universities enrol bright and deserving students under their mentorship by employing them Part time. By doing so, international students can earn as well as get some knowledge. These jobs are usually open to master's/ research scholars. The job includes assisting the professors which could include taking tutorials, assisting in the research, writing the literature, etc.

Check:

• Cost of Living in France for Indian Students

• France Student Visa Guide

Off-Campus Part time Jobs in France for International Students

Besides having Part time job options available on campus, there will be ample options for Part time jobs off-campus as well. Some of the off-campus jobs that students can take up are:

• Cashier
• Customer Service
• Translator
• Personal Tutor
• Driver
• Babysitter

Part time Job Salary in France for International Students

According to Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance (SMIC) - France's national minimum hourly wage - students working part-time can earn a minimum of €12.02 per hour as of January 1, 2026. This rate applies to all fields and part-time jobs that international students opt for. Some of the part time jobs in France for international students and their average salaries are given in the table below.

So, take your pick. Whether it is a job at the mall, or the supermarket or indeed the corner café, no matter which you choose, you are sure to live the famous French life. These jobs are a great opportunity for students to improve their language skills, network with locals, and also earn that extra pocket allowance to enjoy their time in one of the prettiest countries in the world. Furthermore, with improved Post Study Work Permits for Indian students, Universities in France offer an added advantage to study abroad aspirants.

Read More: How International Students can study in France for free?