How much paid leave am I entitled to in France?

All employees in France are entitled to at least 5 weeks (30 days) of paid vacation per year. This is earned at a rate of 2.5 days per month worked.

Can my employer decide when I take vacation?

Your employer sets the vacation period and can require certain dates (like company closures). However, they must consult with you and consider your preferences, especially for parents during school holidays.

Are public holidays in addition to congés payés?

Yes, France has 11 public holidays (jours fériés) that are separate from your 5 weeks of congés payés. These are paid days off that don't count against your vacation entitlement.

What are fractionnement days?

Fractionnement days are bonus vacation days you earn if you take some of your main vacation outside the May-October period. You get 1 bonus day for 3-5 days taken off-peak, or 2 bonus days for 6+ days.

How does paid leave work for part-time employees?

Part-time employees receive proportional leave based on hours worked. If you work 50% of full-time hours, you receive 50% of the full-time leave entitlement (15 days instead of 30).

France Paid Leave Rules - Your Complete Guide

Comprehensive guide to paid leave rules in France under the Code du Travail. Understand your legal entitlements to congés payés, the reference period, main vacation period, fractionnement days, and employer obligations.

Legal Framework

French paid leave (congés payés) is guaranteed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail). All employees are entitled to at least 5 weeks (30 days) of paid vacation per year, which is one of the most generous entitlements in the world.

Accrual and Reference Period

Leave is calculated over a reference period from June 1 to May 31. Employees earn 2.5 working days of paid leave per month worked, totaling 30 days (5 weeks) per year for full-time employees. Part-time workers receive proportional leave based on hours worked.

Main Vacation Period

French law requires at least 12 consecutive working days of leave be taken between May 1 and October 31. This reflects France's cultural emphasis on substantial summer vacations. Employers must respect this requirement.

Fractionnement Days (Bonus Days)

If you take some of your "main" leave outside the May-October period, you may earn bonus days: 1 day for 3-5 days taken off-peak, 2 days for 6+ days. This encourages taking leave year-round and helps balance vacation distribution.

Carryover and Forfeiture

Generally, leave not taken within the vacation year is lost unless your employer agrees to carryover. Some companies use a Compte Épargne Temps (time savings account) for unused days. Employers must inform employees about upcoming forfeiture.

Employer Obligations

Employers set the vacation period and can require certain dates (like company closures), but they must consult with employees and consider preferences, especially for parents during school holidays. Employers cannot unreasonably refuse vacation requests.