Working in France — what do you need to arrange? (2026)
Last updated September 18, 2026 · 18 min read
Arjen Mekelenkamp · Founder WorkAdministration · 10+ years of EU posting compliance
Content checked on September 18, 2026
Your electrical engineers start a project in Lyon next month. The assignment runs 8 weeks, 4 people. What you may not know: before that first day in France there are at least four obligations you need to have in order — and fines for those who forget can reach €4,000 per employee. This guide gives you the complete list, including deadlines, costs and associated risks.
Obligations at a glance
Thirteen obligations for most assignments. The sections below explain each point.
| Obligation | When | Who | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posting notification (SIPSI)Online notification system — Labour Inspectorate | Before work starts | All sectors, employees + subcontractors | Required |
| RepresentativeContact person reachable in France during the posting | Via SIPSI, at notification | Everyone | Required |
| A1 certificateSocial security declaration per employee | Before departure — apply via your national social security authority | All posted employees | Required |
| Construction sector ID card (Carte BTP)Personal card per construction worker | After SIPSI; activate per assignment | Construction sector | Required |
| Professional qualification recognition (JQPA)Chambre de Métiers | Before start, annual renewal | Electrical · gas · heating · air conditioning · PV | Sector-dep. |
| Grid connection inspection report (CONSUEL)Safety inspection for electrical installations | Before commissioning | Electrical installations connected to the grid | Sector-dep. |
| French minimum wage+ regional construction sector CBAs | During assignment | All posted employees | Required |
| RC Décennale (ten-year liability insurance)Required for construction work · check your own policy | Before construction work starts | Construction and building works | Sector-dep. |
| Construction waste registrationRequired in quotes/specifications since 1 July 2021 | When preparing the quote | Construction, renovation and demolition works | Sector-dep. |
| Loi Toubon (French language law)Quotes, invoices and documents in French | At first contact with a private client | B2C · service providers to private individuals | B2C-dep. |
| Document package on sitePresent at the work location during inspections | At the start of work | All assignments | Required |
| Subcontractor verificationCheck SIPSI + documents | Before start (SIPSI + representative, every contract) · from €5,000: documents at signature and every 6 months | As main contractor | Required |
| Air quality sticker (Crit'Air)Required in low-emission zones, 40+ urban areas (2026) | Before driving in a low-emission zone | Every company vehicle | In LEZ |
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Before departure — three obligations for most assignments
For most temporary work with posted employees these three steps are mandatory before the start. Exceptions exist — always verify the specific scenario.
Via sipsi.travail.gouv.fr you register the posting with the French Labour Inspectorate. One declaration can cover several work locations with the same start and end date; the portal limits the number. You receive a confirmation code to bring to the work site.
→ sipsi.travail.gouv.fr · free of charge ⚠ Not notified? Fine of €4,000 per employee.During the SIPSI notification you appoint a représentant: someone who is reachable in France throughout the entire posting and acts as the point of contact for the inspectorate. This can be an employee, the client, or an external service provider.
The A1 proves that your employee remains socially insured in your home country and does not need to pay French social security contributions. Apply via your national social security authority — but setting up your national social security portal account (first time) is the real bottleneck and can take weeks. Already have an account? Adding an employee is quick.
→ Per employee · bring throughout the entire posting · self-employed: different form, own implementing bodyTackle SIPSI, A1 and Crit'Air at the same time. SIPSI is ready as soon as you know the start date and location; you can then apply for the construction sector ID card (construction) and arrange the professional qualification recognition (installation).
Taking a company vehicle?
Are you driving through or in cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse or Strasbourg? Then you need an air quality sticker (Crit'Air) on every vehicle. Cost: €3.85 including postage within France; delivery to a foreign address adds postage (current price on certificat-air.gouv.fr). Order a few weeks ahead. Fine without sticker: €68 (car) to €135 (lorry), increased up to €450. In 2026 more than 40 urban areas operate a low-emission zone (ZFE); the abolition voted by Parliament in April 2026 was annulled by the Conseil constitutionnel on 21 May 2026, so the zones remain.
On site — what must always be present
The French Labour Inspectorate can arrive unannounced. Make sure your document package is complete.
-
SIPSI confirmation codePer assignment · available immediately after notification
-
A1 certificatePer employee · on paper or digitally, available at once
-
Employment contract (translated into French)Per employee
-
Pay slipsPer employee · for postings of 1 month or more; shorter: proof that the French minimum wage was paid (R1263-1)
-
Working time recordsPer employee · kept up to date
-
Construction sector ID card (Carte BTP)Per construction worker · activated for this assignment
-
Trade certificates and qualificationsWhere applicable (electrical, gas, welding etc.)
The Inspection du travail can also inspect outside office hours. Make sure documents are present at the work site, not just at your company's office. Missing or untranslated documents: the same fine as for a missing declaration, up to €4,000 per worker (Code du travail L1263-7, L1264-1).
Sector-specific obligations
In addition to the basic obligations, supplementary requirements apply per type of work.
Every employee carrying out construction work needs a personal identification card (Carte BTP) (Code du travail R8291-1). €9.80 per card, valid for 5 years, activate per assignment via cartebtp.fr.
Required for construction sectorProfessional qualification recognition with the Chambre de Métiers required for electrical, gas, heating, air conditioning and photovoltaic work. Annual renewal required. See the detailed section below.
Electrical · gas · HVAC · PVBefore commissioning electrical installations connected to the grid, an inspection report (CONSUEL) is required. Applies to residential and commercial buildings.
Electrical installationsStatutory ten-year liability insurance for works affecting the structure or habitability of a building. An ordinary general liability policy usually does not cover this; check your policy. See the detailed section below.
Construction worksRegulated trades in France — JQPA (proof of craft qualification) and EU professional qualification certificate
For certain trades an additional notification with the regional Chambre de Métiers is required before the first working day.
If you carry out work in France in a regulated trade, you must — before the first working day — submit a notification to the regional Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat at the work location. This is in addition to the SIPSI notification and completely separate from it.
Regulated trades in the construction and installation sector include:
- Electrical installations
- Gas and plumbing work
- Heating and climate control systems (HVAC)
- Photovoltaic installations
- Maintenance and repair of machines and installations in the above areas
How does the JQPA notification work?
Before notifying the French Chambre de Métiers, you need an EU certificate for professional qualifications. This certificate is an attestation from the competent authority in your home country that you lawfully practise the trade there and are qualified (Directive 2005/36, art. 7).
⚠ Is the trade not regulated in your home country? Then you must show two years of professional experience in the last ten years (Directive 2005/36, art. 7(2)); ask your chamber of commerce or the Chambre de Métiers which body issues that attestation. Apply in good time — this can take several weeks.With the EU certificate, submit the JQPA form to the Chambre de Métiers of the département where the work takes place. Submit this before the first working day (décret 2022-1169).
→ Find the competent Chambre de Métiers at: artisanat.frThe JQPA recognition must be renewed annually. If you regularly carry out assignments in France, schedule this renewal in your administrative calendar.
CONSUEL — inspection report for electrical installations connected to the grid
Are you connecting an electrical installation to the French electricity grid? Before commissioning, a CONSUEL conformity certificate is required. CONSUEL (Comité National pour la Sécurité des Usagers de l'Électricité) carries out the safety inspection.
What you need for the CONSUEL application:
- EU professional qualification certificate from the home-country chamber
- Certified French translation of trade certificates (journeyman/master or equivalent)
- Liability insurance — also documented in French
Apply for the EU certificate as soon as you know you will be working in France — not just at the first assignment. Combine this with the JQPA notification so you are immediately set up for the annual renewal cycle for all assignments that year.
RC Décennale (ten-year liability insurance) — mandatory for construction works in France
One of the most underestimated obligations for foreign contractors. An ordinary general liability policy usually does not cover this ten-year liability; in France you must be able to show that your insurance covers the French statutory liability (Code des assurances L241-1).
The Assurance Responsabilité Civile Décennale (RC Décennale) is a statutory compulsory insurance for everyone carrying out construction works in France that may affect the structural integrity or habitability of a building. The insurance covers liability claims from the client for 10 years after completion of the work.
When is the RC Décennale required?
The insurance is required if the works relate to:
- New construction or structural alterations
- Carpentry and joinery affecting the structure
- Pipework (sanitary, heating, climate) built into the structure
- Electrical installations structurally integrated into the building
- Roofing works
- Other works where defects could endanger habitability or structural integrity
Purely cosmetic defects fall outside the scope — but when in doubt, taking out the insurance is always safer than not doing so.
Costs and policy structure
The RC Décennale is an annual policy, not a project insurance. You take it out per year and it covers all eligible works that year. Indicative costs: 0.5–3.5% of the contract value, depending on the trade. This percentage can vary significantly — obtain quotes from multiple insurers.
What must appear on quotes and invoices?
Once you have an RC Décennale policy, you are required to state the following details on all your quotes and invoices for covered works:
- The policy number of the RC Décennale insurance
- The contact details of the insurer (name and address)
- The geographical coverage of the policy (confirm that France is included)
An ordinary general liability policy usually does not cover the RC Décennale in the way French law requires. Check with your insurer whether your policy includes explicit coverage for "construction liability France / Assurance RC Décennale". If not: take out a supplementary or separate French policy before starting the works.
Construction waste — mandatory entries in quote and specification (since 1 July 2021)
A forgotten item in the quote? That can cause problems in France.
Since 1 July 2021, contractors carrying out construction, renovation and demolition works on buildings in France are required to include the following waste data in the quote or specification:
Provide a realistic estimate of the total waste volume the works will generate (in volume or weight per waste stream).
Describe how the waste will be removed, including which streams are collected separately (wood, rubble, metal, hazardous waste etc.).
State the name of the landfill, recycling centre or approved processor where the waste will go.
Specify the costs for disposal and processing as a separate line item in the quote — these may not be hidden costs.
Hazardous waste
Do you produce hazardous waste (asbestos, paint, chemicals, certain insulation materials)? Then additional rules apply:
- Strict storage requirements at the work site
- Mandatory accompanying documents (bordereau de suivi des déchets dangereux) with every transport
- Disposal exclusively via certified processors
The waste entries on the quote are your own duty as the company carrying out the work (Code de l'environnement D541-45-1); the project's waste register is kept by the building owner. Include the mandatory entries in your standard quote template — that way you never forget and automatically comply with the requirement for every assignment.
Loi Toubon (French language law) — what it means for your company
Quotes and invoices to private individuals must be in French. Failure to comply risks a fine, and the court can declare the contract void.
The Loi Toubon (Act no. 94-665) requires the use of the French language in business communications with private clients (B2C) in France. This has direct practical consequences for contractors and installation companies working for end users.
What must be in French?
- Quotes and invoices to private clients — regardless of the amount
- Contracts and general terms and conditions for B2C assignments
- User manuals for products or installations supplied
- Qualification certificates handed over to the client
- Marketing materials aimed at the French market
Risks of non-compliance
No — the language obligation does not apply to commercial transactions between companies (B2B). For business clients, quotes, invoices and contracts may be drawn up in another language, provided both parties agree. Working exclusively for business clients? Then Loi Toubon does not apply to your written communications.
Practical tip
Make sure your company has standard French-language versions of your quote and invoice templates for use with private clients in France. Have these translated and proofread once by a native speaker — the investment is negligible compared to the risk of a void contract or consumer claim.
Wages & working time
Posted employees are entitled to the French minimum wage — even if their home-country wage is higher.
Overtime
| Hours | Supplement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hours 36 to 43 | +25% | First overtime rate |
| Hour 44 onwards | +50% | Increased overtime rate |
CBAs in the construction sector — regional rates
On top of the statutory minimum wage, national construction CBAs apply (building IDCC 1596 and 1597, civil works IDCC 1702, plus CBAs for technical and managerial staff) whose minimum wages are set per region. Skilled workers, technicians and managers fall under different scales. Identify the applicable CBA based on the work location.
The French minimum wage is normally updated annually on 1 January and may be increased mid-year during high inflation. The figure above was verified on 3 July 2026 via service-public.fr. Always verify the current rate and the applicable sector CBA before each new assignment.
Using subcontractors?
As main contractor you are responsible for your subcontractors' compliance.
Engaging a subcontractor that posts workers? As client you must verify before the posting starts that it has filed its SIPSI declaration and appointed a representative — for every contract, with no threshold (Code du travail L1262-4-1). From a contract value of €5,000 excluding VAT you must additionally obtain its registration, VAT and social-security documents at signature and every 6 months thereafter (L8222-1, D8222-7).
Request proof of the SIPSI notification and the representative's contact details from your subcontractor. Keep this in your project file.
Request the vigilance documents again: registration proof, VAT number and A1 certificates (D8222-7). For a new posting: the SIPSI declaration again.
If you skipped that check and your subcontractor did not declare, you receive your own fine: up to €4,000 per worker (L1264-2). The project owner checks every subcontractor in the chain, direct or indirect (L1262-4-1 II).
Fines — what's at stake?
When do you start preparing?
- As early as possible (first time)Set up your national social security portal account — this is the bottleneck, do this well before the first assignment
- Well before the first assignmentCheck or take out RC Décennale with your insurer (annual policy) · apply for the EU professional qualification certificate for regulated trades
- 4–6 weeks before departureApply for an A1 certificate per employee via your national social security authority · order air quality sticker
- When preparing the quote (construction/renovation)Include construction waste entries in quote (quantity · disposal method · processing facility · costs)
- As early as possible before departureSubmit SIPSI notification; then apply for construction sector ID card (via SIPSI declaration number) · JQPA notification with Chambre de Métiers (regulated trades)
- Before departure (private client)Draw up quote and contract in French (Loi Toubon) · prepare French-language invoice template
- Before departureConfirm French representative, assemble document package, verify subcontractors
- Day 1 on siteSIPSI code, A1 certificates and ID cards present; start working time records
Frequently asked questions
Yes. There is no minimum threshold. Even a one-day service intervention requires a SIPSI notification before the work starts.
It can be an employee present on site, the client, or an external service provider. The representative must be reachable by the Labour Inspectorate and be able to produce the relevant documents.
The card is required for all work falling under the construction sector. Installations in existing buildings may fall within scope depending on the nature of the work. When in doubt: apply for the card — it costs €9.80 and is valid for 5 years.
No — not automatically. An ordinary home-country general liability insurance does not cover the French legally required RC Décennale in the same way. French law requires a specific ten-year liability insurance for defects affecting the structure or habitability. Ask your insurer explicitly whether your policy provides coverage for "RC Décennale France" — if not, take out a separate policy before starting.
Every contractor carrying out eligible works must have the insurance themselves — including your subcontractor. As main contractor, request the insurance certificate before the start and keep it in your project file: towards the project owner you are liable for your subcontractor's work.
No — Loi Toubon applies exclusively to transactions with private clients (B2C). For business clients (B2B) there is no statutory obligation to communicate in French, though in practice it is more professional and avoids misunderstandings.
Yes. For postings longer than 12 months (extendable to 18 months with justification), almost all French employment law provisions apply. Long-term postings require additional assessment — contact us for tailored advice.
Genuinely self-employed workers do not automatically fall under the SIPSI notification obligation and the construction sector ID card that apply to posted employees. However, they must be able to demonstrate during an inspection that they are genuinely self-employed, established in their home country and remain socially insured — generally via an A1 certificate from their implementing body. As a client commissioning self-employed workers, always request proof of registration, A1, proof of identity and insurance. Uncertain about the status? Have this assessed legally before the work starts.
SIPSI is the online notification system. The representative is the person you appoint in that notification. Both are required — they are two separate obligations.
€68 for passenger cars, €135–€450 for heavier vehicles, depending on the vehicle type. The sticker costs €3.85 (postage within France) and stays valid for the life of the vehicle.
Detailed topics
Every obligation above is covered in depth in a dedicated guide:
- SIPSI notification — step-by-step guide for your posting declaration.
- A1 certificate — home-country social security proof.
- Carte BTP — mandatory construction ID card.
- SMIC and construction CBAs 2026 — minimum wage and collective agreements.
- Subcontractor rules — main contractor responsibilities.
Webinar: everything about working in France (1 hour)
Our France webinar covers all obligations step by step — including live questions from participants. An ideal complement to this guide.
🇳🇱 Recorded in Dutch · subtitles via the CC button
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