France
Complete guide to French employee leave entitlements including 25+ days congés payés, RTT, extensive parental leave, and strong employee protections.
25
Annual leave
11
Public holidays
country
Location type
2025-01-15
Reviewed
Legal framework
Primary legislation
Governing body
Last updated
Official source
Entitlements overview
Annual leave
Statutory entitlement: 25
Calculation: 2.5 days per month worked = 30 working days (5 weeks)
Pro-rata: 2.5 days per month of work
Carryover: Must be taken by May 31 of following year
Sick leave
Statutory: Yes
Paid days: Varies
Statutory pay: 50% of daily wage (social security) + employer top-up
Eligibility: 150 hours worked in past 3 months
Parental leave
Maternity: 16 weeks (6 before + 10 after)
Paternity: 28 days (including 7 mandatory)
Adoption: 16 weeks (longer for multiple/older children)
Shared leave: Congé parental up to 3 years
Additional leave and compliance
Other leave types
RTT (Réduction du Temps de Travail): Varies - typically 10-12 days per year (paid)
Family Events: 4 days (marriage), 3 days (birth), 3 days (death of spouse/child) (paid)
Child Sick Leave: 3 days per year (5 if child under 1) (unpaid)
Record keeping and notice
Records: Maintain leave records
Penalties: Labor inspectorate enforcement, significant fines
Public holiday sample
Jour de l'An (New Year): 2025-01-01
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday): 2025-04-21
Fête du Travail (Labour Day): 2025-05-01
Victoire 1945 (Victory Day): 2025-05-08
Ascension: 2025-05-29
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whit Monday): 2025-06-09
Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave do French employees get?
France provides 5 weeks (25-30 working days) of paid annual leave. Many employees also get RTT days (typically 10-12 additional days) if they work more than 35 hours.
What is RTT in France?
RTT (Réduction du Temps de Travail) are compensatory rest days given to employees who work more than the 35-hour legal work week. Typically 10-12 extra days off per year.