Author: Amaury

The French School System

Posted on by Amaury

The main characteristics of the French school system include compulsory education from ages 6 to 16, free public education, a national curriculum, a school zoning system (Carte Scolaire), a focus on academic subjects, structured grade levels and examinations, emphasis on the French language, highly qualified teachers, long school days, and the importance of the Baccalauréat examination.

Overview of the French school system

Carte Scolaire

The “Carte Scolaire” in France is a system that regulates school enrolment based on geographical zones. It is designed to ensure equitable access to public education and promote social diversity within schools.

Under this system, each residential area is assigned to a specific school and students are expected to attend the school in their designated catchment area.

To know more about the “Carte Scolaire” please check our dedicated article.

What’s the difference between Private and Public Schools in France?

Public schools in France are funded and administered by the government, follow the national curriculum, and admit students based on geographic catchment areas (Carte Scolaire).

Private schools, on the other hand, are privately owned, have more flexibility in curriculum design, can set their own admissions criteria, and may have religious or philosophical affiliations.

Click here to read a dedicated article about this topic.

What is the structure of the French school system?

This section outlines the different steps of the French school system. If you’d like to know more about enrolling your kid in a French school, here is the article.

How do school years work in France?

In France, the structure of the school system is divided into several levels, which I will outline below:

Early Childhood Education:

The “Maternelle” refers to the nursery in France, which is the first stage of compulsory education. Children aged 3 to 6 attend an école Maternelle, which is optional, but in reality widely attended. It focuses on the children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development through play-based learning. A Maternelle aims to foster independence, creativity, and early language acquisition, laying the foundation for future learning.

It is divided into three sections: petite section, moyenne section, and grande section

Primary Education:

L’école élémentaire is the primary school stage in France, covering grades 1 to 5 (ages 6 to 11). At this level, students follow a structured curriculum that includes core subjects such as French, mathematics, science, history, geography, and physical education. They also receive instruction in the arts, music, and foreign languages, providing a well-rounded education.

It is mandatory and comprises five grades: CP (Cours Préparatoire), CE1 (Cours Élémentaire 1), CE2 (Cours Élémentaire 2), CM1 (Cours Moyen 1), and CM2 (Cours Moyen 2).

Secondary Education:

  • Collège refers to middle school in France and encompasses grades 6 to 9 (ages 11 to 15). It represents a transition from primary to secondary education. Collège offers a comprehensive curriculum, including subjects like mathematics, languages, sciences, history, geography, and technology. Students receive a broad education and gradually gain more autonomy in their learning. It consists of four grades: 6ème, 5ème, 4ème, and 3ème.
  • Lycée corresponds to high school in France, covering grades 10 to 12 (ages 15 to 18). It offers various academic tracks, including general, technological, and vocational pathways. Students choose a specialization aligned with their interests and future goals. In lycée, students deepen their knowledge in specific subjects, prepare for the Baccalauréat examination, and make decisions about higher education or career paths. Lycée is divided into three years: seconde, première, and terminale.

Higher Education:

Higher education in France offers a wide range of opportunities. Students who have obtained their Baccalauréat can pursue further studies at universities, grandes écoles, or specialized institutes.

  • Université (University): After obtaining the Baccalauréat, students can pursue higher education at universities and higher education institutions. They can choose from various programs, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees.
  • Classes Préparatoires (Preparatory Classes): Another option after obtaining the Baccalauréat is to attend classes préparatoires, which are two-year programs focused on preparing students for highly competitive entry exams to engineering schools or business schools (Grandes écoles). Grandes écoles are prestigious institutions that provide focused education in fields such as engineering, business, and administration. Specialized institutes cater to specific areas like arts, agriculture, or healthcare.

It’s important to note that there are also specialized schools in France, such as vocational schools (lycées professionnels) that offer professional training and apprenticeships.

Click here to read a dedicated article about higher education in France.

How long is a French school day?

The school day in France generally starts around 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. and ends between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m., depending on the level of education. Primary and middle schools have shorter days compared to high schools.

Why is there no school on Wednesday in France?

In France, students who are in primary education enjoy a day off from school on Wednesdays. This practice aims to provide a balanced schedule for students and promote their overall well-being. On Wednesdays, students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts, or other hobbies. This dedicated time allows them to explore their interests outside of the academic curriculum and develop additional skills.

It’s important to note that while Wednesdays are typically free from regular school classes, some schools may offer optional activities or specialized classes on this day. However, participation in these activities is usually not mandatory, and students have the flexibility to choose their level of involvement. Overall, the Wednesday off policy in France serves to create a more balanced and enriching educational experience for students.

How long are Summer Holidays in France?

Summer holidays in France, also known as “les grandes vacances,” are the longest school holiday period in the academic year. It typically lasts around eight weeks, starting in early July and extending until the end of August. The exact dates may vary slightly between different regions and school districts within France.

Many schools provide optional summer programs or reading lists to promote continuous learning and prevent academic regression over the long break.

Grades and Exams in the French School System

What are grades called in France and how does they work?

In France, the grading system used in schools is based on a scale of 0 to 20, with 20 being the highest possible grade. The grades are called “notes” in French. The grading system is the same across all levels of education, from primary school to higher education institutions.

Grades are typically given for individual subjects or assignments, and they reflect a student’s performance and level of mastery in that particular area. Teachers assess students based on various criteria, such as knowledge, understanding, critical thinking, participation, and presentation of work. The grading scale helps to evaluate and track students’ progress throughout the academic year.

In addition to the numerical grades, teachers may also provide written comments or feedback to further explain the strengths and weaknesses of a student’s work. At the end of each academic year, students receive a report card that summarizes their grades and provides an overall evaluation of their performance in different subjects.

What is the Brevet des Collèges and the Baccalauréat?

  • The Brevet des Collèges, (Diplôme National du Brevet – DNB), is an examination at the end of collège. It assesses the knowledge and skills acquired during their four years of middle school education. The Brevet des Collèges typically includes written exams in subjects such as French, mathematics, history-geography, science, and foreign languages. It also incorporates oral examinations and may include a comprehensive project. The results of the Brevet des Collèges do not have a direct impact on students’ ability to progress to high school, but they provide an evaluation of their academic achievements at the middle school level.
  • The Baccalauréat, or “Bac”, is the national examination taken by students at the end of their high school education. It is a prerequisite for pursuing higher education in France. The Baccalauréat is a comprehensive exam that assesses students’ knowledge in a range of subjects, including their chosen specialization. There are several tracks available for the Baccalauréat, such as the general track (Bac général), which prepares students for university studies, and the technological track (Bac technologique), which focuses on specific vocational areas. The Baccalauréat is a high-stakes examination, and students’ performance in the Bac has a significant impact on their ability to pursue higher education and can determine their access to certain fields of study.

Both the Brevet des Collèges and the Baccalauréat are important milestones in the French education system. They serve as formal assessments of students’ academic achievements, provide a standard measure of their knowledge and skills, and play a role in determining their educational opportunities beyond secondary school.

Private and public schools in France

Posted on by Amaury

In France, education is a priority, and parents have the option to choose between public and private schools for their children. While both systems aim to provide quality education, distinct differences appear between public and private schools in terms of ownership, curriculum, admissions, and governance.

Ownership and Funding

Public schoolsPublic schools in France are government-funded and administered by the state. Accordingly, they operate under the authority of the Ministry of Education and receive financial support from the government. Teachers in public schools are civil servants employed by the state.
Private schoolsPrivate schools in France are privately owned. They may be secular or have religious affiliations. Private schools rely on their own funding sources, which can include tuition fees, donations, or government subsidies.
Bear in mind that some private schools sign an agreement with the State to respect the curriculum, they are “sous contrat d’association” and consequently teachers will be civil servants, paid by the State.

Curriculum

Public schoolsPublic schools follow the national curriculum established by the Ministry of Education. This standardized curriculum ensures consistency and uniformity across all public schools in France. It covers a wide range of subjects and sets educational standards for students.
Private schoolsPrivate schools have more flexibility in designing their curriculum. While they must meet certain basic educational requirements, they have the autonomy to develop their own curriculum or adopt alternative approaches.
Please note that when a private school adopts the public school curriculum it’ll be called “sous-contrat d’association avec l’Etat”, otherwise, it’s “hors contrat”.
Some private schools specialize in specific subjects or offer unique educational programs like Montessori schools.

Admissions

Public schoolsAdmission to public schools is primarily determined by the “Carte Scolaire” system, which assigns students to schools based on their residential location. Students must attend the public school designated for their catchment area.
However, exceptions may be made for students with special needs or unique circumstances.
Private schoolsPrivate schools have their own admissions criteria and processes. Thus, they can select students based on factors such as academic performance, interviews, or specific requirements. Private schools may have limited spots available and often require an application for admission.

Click here to read the article which explains how to enroll your kid in a French school

Governance and Management

Public schoolsPublic schools are governed and managed by the state. They operate under the regulations and policies. The appointment and management of teachers in public schools are handled by the government.
Private schoolsPrivate schools have their own governing bodies or boards, which may include school administrators, parents, or representatives of the school’s owners. In a word, they have more autonomy in decision-making and management compared to public schools.

Religious and Philosophical Affiliations

Public schoolsPublic schools in France are secular institutions. They are neutral in terms of religious or philosophical affiliations and provide a secular education to students.
Private schoolsPrivate schools may have religious or philosophical affiliations. Some private schools focus on specific religious teachings or cultural values and incorporate them into their curriculum.

Retirement in France

Posted on by Amaury

Planning for retirement is a vital aspect of financial well-being. In France, the retirement system provides income security for individuals during their golden years. This article aims to shed light on the workings of the retirement system in France, including contribution methods, benefit estimation, and how expat workers can participate and benefit from this system.

How does the retirement system work in France?

In the French retirement system, there are two important concepts to understand: “age légal de départ” and “taux plein.”

The “age légal de départ” refers to the minimum age at which individuals can retire and start receiving their pension benefits. Currently, the “age légal de départ” is 62 but will be pushed to 64 with the latest pension scheme reform of 2023.

On the other hand, “taux plein” refers to the full retirement age, at which individuals can claim their full pension benefits without any reduction.

While the “age légal de départ” is the earliest age at which individuals can retire (usually 62 soon 64), the “taux plein” is the age at which individuals can retire and receive their maximum pension entitlements (now it’s 67).

It’s important to note that retiring before reaching the “taux plein” may result in a reduction of pension benefits.

The retirement system in France

The retirement system in France operates on a pay-as-you-go basis. This means that the contributions made by the current workforce finance the pensions of current retirees.

This is different to what exists elsewhere where you save money, your whole life, to fill a pension find whose interests will come back to you when you retire.

The system is based on a three-pillar framework:

First Pillar: Basic State Retirement Scheme (Sécurité Sociale)

The Sécurité Sociale is the cornerstone of the French retirement system and is managed by the National Pension Insurance Fund (CNAV).

Eligibility for this scheme begins at age 62 for individuals born in 1955 or later, with gradual increases to age 67 for those born in 1960 or later. To qualify for a full pension, individuals generally need to have accrued a certain number of quarters (trimestres) of contributions.

Contributions to the Sécurité Sociale are deducted directly from salaries and are shared between employees and employers. The contribution rates are based on a percentage of the employee’s salary, subject to a maximum contribution ceiling. Expatriate workers employed in France are subject to the same contribution rates as French nationals.

Second Pillar: Mandatory Occupational Pension Schemes

In addition to the Sécurité Sociale, certain industries and professions have mandatory supplementary pension schemes. These schemes, collectively known as Agirc-Arrco, are employer-funded and provide additional benefits on top of the basic state pension. Expatriate workers employed in industries covered by these schemes are generally enrolled automatically and contribute accordingly.

Third Pillar: Voluntary Personal Retirement Savings

The third pillar consists of voluntary personal retirement savings options, such as private pension plans and individual savings accounts. These allow individuals to supplement their retirement income beyond the state and mandatory occupational pensions. Expats in France can also take advantage of these voluntary schemes to enhance their retirement savings.

How do I get my pension?

Estimating Retirement Benefits in France

To estimate retirement benefits, individuals can use online calculators provided by the French government, pension fund websites. These calculators take into account factors such as the number of quarters contributed, average salary, and the age at which retirement benefits are claimed. By inputting relevant information, individuals can obtain an estimate of their future pension entitlements.

To get to the website you’ll need your social security number.

Claiming Retirement Benefits

When the time comes to claim retirement benefits (from 62 now but 64 starting october 2023), individuals must submit a retirement claim application to the relevant pension fund.

The application should be submitted approximately four months before the desired retirement date. Once the application is processed, retirees receive regular pension payments directly into their bank accounts.

Retirement Benefits for Expat Workers in France

Expat workers in France generally have the same rights and obligations as French nationals when it comes to retirement benefits. They contribute to the retirement system through deductions from their salaries. Their eligibility for benefits is determined based on the same criteria as French citizens. Expats can access the online calculators and claim their retirement benefits in the same manner as their French counterparts.

How can I benefit from the pension I contributed to while working in France, even though I will not retire in France?

If you worked in several countries, you contributed in as many countries and as many scheme will apply to you.

The general rule is :

  • You can ask for you retirement money in a country (monthly payments) when you reach the retirement age in that country. ie : in France Retirement age is soon 64 and in Germany 65. You can ask for your french benefits at 64 and german at 65
  • Your benefit will be proportional to your contribution. the more you contributed, the higher the benefit.
  • It can be paid in any country.

Final tip : some states have agreement with each other to ease that whole process. That’s of course the case for all EU countries and also Brazil, among others.

Dealing with Expat Blues

Posted on by Amaury

Once you have decided to become an expat, you may experience some mixed feelings. On the one hand, you’ll probably feel the thrill of adventure, be excited about a new country, and a different culture. You’re on a path to get out of your comfort zone, as we are so often encouraged by our culture to do. Sometimes, this also comes with Expat Blues.

On the other hand, you may have heard stories about expats having trouble settling in their adopted country. Of course, migrating to a new country can come with culture shock, it’s a new lifestyle, new food, new ways of living your daily life. Going to the doctor is not the same, you won’t find the same items in supermarkets, the language, weather, vibe of the country, everything can radically shift from what you’re used to. It’s like being born again.

We at Urban Index have had these same experiences in several countries, like Qatar, England and France. We are the first to acknowledge that these feelings are very valid. It can be so hard to find your place in your new world. You never know what to expect, what to do and how to react. Looking back, especially in Qatar, it was a true culture shock for Amaury.

What you can do to prevent Expat Blues

Before you leave

  • Get to know the culture (movies, books, politics, radio, newspaper) a little before moving. This can help get you excited about your destination as well as inspire to you dig deeper once you arrive.
  • Try to find your home, or narrow down where you’d like to live (Housing Archives). Knowing which neighbourhood you’ll relocate to helps reaching out to the right social groups or meetups.
  • Check with your company, if you’re being transferred, to see how they can help you. You can find out if there are other expat starters at the same time you can team up with to make the transition easier.
  • List the admin procedures you’ll need to deal with (link to the 30 days articles) and create a to-do list for yourself. Having a clear roadmap takes away from stress and scrambling to navigate the administration later.
  • Learn the language. Having even a little bit of knowledge will be much appreciated by the locals once you arrive.
  • Contact everyone you know in the city you’re heading to or people who know people, try and make friends and get in touch with new people in groups on social media (Making new Friends). Having a cold start is okay, you can manage, but already having a few points of contact ahead of time is even better!

Once you’re in the country

  • Get enough sleep. We can’t stress enough how helpful it is to be well rested with the energy it requires to get started in a new place.
  • Exercise. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. 
  • Be careful not to drink too much alcohol outside of social situations. This is a common symptom for people with expat blues, preventing it from the outset is always a good idea.
  • Join groups to connect with other people. If you’re in doubt, head to a library, there are many events scheduled each week. 
  • Regularly touch base with your friends and family back home. You can share your adventures, your struggles, the new things you discovered and more!
  • Explore the town and learn to get to know the city you live in now. Each city comes with a rich history and interesting monuments, galleries, shows and events, learn more about its offering.
  • Minimise social media outside of using it to meet new people or get involved in social events. Social media can be toxic, especially if you are struggling and are bombarded with fake, idealistic pictures of happy, carefree people.
  • Remind yourself why you’re decided to move. Try and focus on the positive things that happen every day. Emma, an expat in Paris, celebrates each Wednesday by sharing all the nice things that happened to her that week on her instagram, including her mission to try 52 different types of cheeses in 52 weeks in 2022.
  • Cook the meals you like or adapt local recipes to your liking. Food can be a great way to get in touch with local culture or even learning about their history – take the croissant in France for example, which then may inspire you to research other famous expats.

Recognise the symptoms of Expat Blues

  • Lack of motivation and productivity
  • Poor sleeping schedule and exhaustion
  • Bad diet and an upset stomach
  • Mood swings and emotional outbursts
  • Sudden social anxiety and withdrawal
  • Changes in energy levels

Dealing with the symptoms

On your own

  • Ask for help! Let people around you that you’re struggling, many will offer their help. If you know what you need, don’t be afraid to share your needs with them.
  • Find other expats and ask them if they have experienced similar feelings, and how they dealt with them. Most expats will have had experiences with loneliness and will be empathetic to your situation.
  • Try to exercise. Doing a physically demanding activity can help not only distract you for a little while, but also make your body release endorphins, which will improve your mood overall. 
  • Be kind to yourself. 

Seeking the help of a professional

  • Doctolib has a plethora of mental health professionals, download the app and search by specialty & language spoken

Income tax

Posted on by Amaury

France has a reputation to be a tax country and these taxes are particularly high. As a French person, I can say that it’s true and false (a typical French answer). In this article, we’ll focus on income tax, the main one you need to know about.

Also, don’t believe the rumors ! Taxes in France are not that high if you look at the global picture (almost no medical fees, subsidised energy cost, etc…

What is income tax ?

How is your income tax calculated?

The French income tax system is proportional and progressive. This means that the more you earn, the more you’ll pay taxes.

Let’s take some examples :

You’re a lucky single person (célibataire) who earns €75 000 (gross) a year. Your reference salary is €75 000 as you are alone in your household. You’ll then pay :

  • €0 on the first €10 225 that you earn
  • €1 742,95 on the next €15 845 because it’s €26 070 – €10 225 = €15 845 to which you apply the 11% rate.
  • €14 542,5 on the next €48 475 because its €74 545 – €26 070 = €48 475 to which you apply the 30% rate
  • €186,55 on the next €455 because it’s €75 000 – €74 545 = €455 to which you apply the 41% rate.

=> Your tax amount is €16 472

You’re a married couple with two kids that earn €75 000 (gross) a year. Your reference salary is €75 000/3 = €25 000 because the two parents account for 1 share each and every kid listed on the household accounts for 0,5 share. You’ll then pay : 

  • €0 on the first €10 225 that you earn
  • €1 625,25 on the next €14 775 because it’s €25 000 – €10 225 = €14 775 to which you apply the 11% rate.

=> Your tax amount is €1 625,25 x 3 = 4 875,75

You’re a couple (either married or pacsed) who earn €75 000 (gross) a year. Your reference salary is €75 000/2 = €37 500 because there are two people in your household (non regarding the amount that any partner earns). You’ll then pay : 

  • €0 on the first €10 225 that you earn
  • €1 742,95 on the next €15 845 because it’s €26 070 – €10 225 = €15 845 to which you apply the 11% rate.
  • €3 429 on the next €11 430 because its €37 500 – €26 070 = €11 430 to which you apply the 30% rate

=> Your tax amount is €5 171,95 x 2 = 10 343,9

How to simulate your income tax in France?

Go to this website >> “Accéder au simulateur” >> “Modèle simplifié”

It’s free, State-managed and the fiscal administration doesn’t use the data you give in the simulation to draw up your actual tax sheet.

Step 1 : your personal status

Here you will be asked about : 

  • Your marital status (mandatory)
  • Location of residency. Métropole means France in Europe, the others are French departments and regions overseas (mandatory)
  • Date of birth (mandatory)
  • Specific situations that can influence your taxable income (not mandatory)
  • If you have children (not mandatory)

Step 2 : your income

Here you will be asked about : 

  • Your marital status (mandatory)
  • Location of residency. Métropole means France in Europe, the others are French departments and regions overseas (mandatory)
  • Date of birth (mandatory)
  • Specific situations that can influence your taxable income (not mandatory)
  • If you have children (not mandatory)

For most people, who only get an income as an employee, you’ll only have these boxes to fill.

  • In the blue box: add your own gross income on the last year
  • In the green box: add your partner’s income
  • In the red boxes : add your kids’ income (if they have one), and if your kids still live with you (meaning they belong to your household).

Step 3 : your tax discounts

Here, you’ll let the fiscal administration know if you give to : 

  • Charities: fill up the 7UF box with the amount you gave over 1 year
  • Political parties: fill up the 7UH box with the amount you gave over 1 year

These institutions will give you every year a “reçu fiscal” that recapitulates the amounts you gave, like the one you can see underneath.

Then just click on “Valider” in the bottom right-hand corner. The button is a bit hidden.

Step 4 : accounts held in other countries

During your simulation, you may be asked to declare that. However, it is mandatory when you declare your taxes, every year.

You need to declare them in a form called 3916 bis and it looks like this :

Does France tax foreign income?

The French tax system wasn’t complex enough on its own, we have to add the case when foreign income is involved and it gets tricky.

Basically, there are no rules. You may get taxed or not regarding a series of conditions : 

  • Does France have a tax agreement treaty with the country?
  • What is the nature of the income (pension, wage…)?
  • What is the amount of the income?

The basic principle is that France will avoid double taxation as much as possible, but you need to clarify your situation with the fiscal administration yourself.

Here you’ll find an article dedicated to foreing income taxation.

How to pay your income tax in France ?

What are the criteria to pay taxes in France – tax residency ?

We know that our readers may have a penthouse in Paris, a triplex in New York, and maybe a pied-à-terre in Tokyo, but there are very precise rules to determine where you’ll pay taxes.

You’ll pay your taxes in France if :

  • Your permanent place of residence is in France
  • Your source of income is located in France (whether it’s the company you work for or the place where you do business)
  • You live in France for more than 6 months per year

Here are some other cases that might apply :

  • You don’t tick any of these boxes, then your tax residency will be settled based on your nationality.
  • You have dual nationality, then your tax residency will be the result of negotiations with the fiscal systems of your countries.

Direct debit

For most people in France, taxes are paid in direct debit. Every month, you’ll pay taxes based on your gross salary with a rate that has been determined according to the amount of taxes you paid the previous year.

Also, for specific situations such as liberals professions or craftsmen, different measures may apply.

Deadline

Even though you’re debited every month, once a year, around April to June, the fiscal administration requires you to validate your tax return either on paper or on a specific website in order to make sure that your rate is still in accordance with your earnings.

How do I get a “numéro fiscal” to pay taxes?

In France, in order to pay taxes, you need a “numéro fiscal”. It is a personal 13-digit number that the taxes administration uses to categorize every tax-paying resident in France.

Step 1

Get on the French taxes website and click on “Votre espace particulier” 

Step 2

Then, click on “Vous n’avez pas encore de numéro fiscal” and click on the link that will appear when you unfold the tab.

Step 3

A new page will open, you’ll have to fill it like shown underneath and, then, click on the box “Je n’ai pas de numéro fiscal” on the last row.

Then the page will unfold, revealing this paragraph. Just click on the second link.

Step 4

Fill in the form and send it. After that, you’ll have to wait a bit for fiscal administration to process your request and get your “numéro fiscal”.

Tips and tricks 

  • Check the tax system in your own country, you may need to declare your income over there
  • Don’t forget to adjust your rate every time your work status change, if you get a raise or change jobs. Otherwise, you may have a load to pay. For example, I got a raise in 2020 and forgot to adjust my rate, I had to pay over 2k of back taxes. Juliette got the same thing but with a sum along the lines of 5k.

Getting a fiscal number to pay taxes in France

Posted on by Amaury

In France, you need a fiscal number “numéro fiscal” to pay your taxes. Here is the way to get one.

How do I get a “numéro fiscal” to pay taxes?

In France, in order to pay taxes, you need a “numéro fiscal”. It is a personal 13-digit number that the taxes administration uses to categorize every tax-paying resident in France.

Step 1

Get on the French taxes website and click on “Votre espace particulier” 

Step 2

Then, click on “Vous n’avez pas encore de numéro fiscal” and click on the link that will appear when you unfold the tab.

Step 3

A new page will open, you’ll have to fill it like shown underneath and, then, click on the box “Je n’ai pas de numéro fiscal” on the last row.

Then the page will unfold, revealing this paragraph. Just click on the second link.

Step 4

Fill in the form and send it. After that, you’ll have to wait a bit for fiscal administration to process your request and get your “numéro fiscal”.

Recycling

Posted on by Amaury

Waste Management in France

Who organises the waste collection?

I know you are on the edge of your seats to learn more about the administrative organisation of waste management in France ????! We aim to please, so here are a couple of things to bear in mind : 

  • Every city organises waste management as it pleases. This means, that if you’re in Bordeaux, Paris or Marseille, a few things can change :
    • Bin colours
    • Timetable of collection
    • Waste contractors 
  • While waste management is handled by the cities directly, it is financed with tax money. But don’t worry, this cost is included in the local taxes you pay. It’s not an added tax.

How is waste collected?

Depending on the city you live in, the collection timetable will differ. There are a couple of things to also remember: 

  • If you live in a big city, you only have to think about putting the correct item into the correct bin. Then, the bin is put out on the street for collection by the contractors.
  • In smaller cities, it is your responsibility to get the bins out on the street. Don’t forget to check the timetables to avoid an overflowing bin, that’s smelly!

How do I recycle in France?

In every city, you get at least two bins, one for classic waste (⚫️) and one to recycle paper and plastic (????). Depending on where you live, you can have another bin for glass (⚪️) and one paper (????), separated from the bin for plastic.

Glass

If you don’t have a specific bin at home for glass (⚪️), you’ll find them in public areas for public use. It’s usually a big container (????????⚫️) or grey bin that looks like this in Paris.

Plastic

You usually dispose of plastic in your recycling bin (????) at home. In some cities, you’ll find waste containers in the street.

Cardboard & Paper & Metal

If you have a specific bin for these, kudos! Otherwise, you trash it in the same bin as plastic (????).

Classic waste

Every other waste is trashed in a classic bin (⚫️) (vegetable peels for example)

Bulky waste

Cities organise the collection of bulky waste such as broken furniture. You usually need to declare it on your city’s website. You’ll then get a number and a timetable for the waste to be made available on the street. This is called “encombrants” and you want to search online for “encombrants+your city”. There is a form to fill out, and you’ll be assigned a time window during which you can stash your bulky waste on the street. There is an assigned number, which you have to write on the bulky item, to confirm that you have officially registered it, so remember to have paper and a marker handy!

If I have a garden and trimmed some trees, can I burn the waste in my garden?

No, it is prohibited to burn green things (dry or wet plants) at home, either with a garden incinerator or in the open air.

And for other kinds of garbage?

I’ll refer you to this website. You just have to type what you’re interested to get rid of and it’ll tell you where and how to recycle it.

Practise recycling

Now that you are a recycling champion, click here to play the Recycling Game! Can you score full points?

House Insurance In France

Posted on by Amaury
Insurance Policy

The insurance I will deal with in this article is your standard house insurance to protect your property from things like a leak, an earthquake, electricity damage, drunk friends – the basics. You will be required to insure your rental property before moving in, and if you are the homeowner, well, you’ll want to do it to cut down on potential costs down the line.

What does house insurance cover ?

Multi-risk insurance will cover fire, water damage, frozen pipes, natural disaster and storm, burglary and vandalism, broken windows, drunk friends.

House insurance can also cover your furniture.

It won’t cover your cash or your car, those need to be protected by specific insurance.

Is it mandatory to have house insurance in France?

Put simply, it’s not mandatory in every case BUT to avoid great costs if anything happens and not lose any sleep over it, it’s better to be insured. Most landlords require you to purchase insurance before giving you keys.

House insurance as a tenant

As a tenant, most of the time, your landlord will ask you to be covered by insurance.

House insurance as homeowner

If you live in your own house, I refer you to two paragraphs above and advise you to subscribe to one.

If you rent your property, you’ll have to subscribe to a Propriétaire non-occupant insurance. In France, some damages are the responsibility of the tenant and some are the responsibility of the owner. This means that even if you’re not living in the property, you could have to pay for some damages caused. 

When you rent your place out, you’ll have two options.

  • Either your tenants take their own insurance.
  • Or you can subscribe to an insurance on their behalf and have them pay the cost back to you every month.

Why is there a civil liability (responsabilité civile) attached?

The civil liability helps you avoid greater cost to your own finances if any damage is caused by you.

French law dictates that you’re responsible if any harm comes to someone else due to your actions or because of things you own. This means that even if you’re on holiday and an unexpected leak happens and floods the downstairs apartment, you’re responsible and have to make up for the harm done and all damaged goods.

How to get house insurance in France?

Which house insurance should you choose ?

The most classic option is to get home insurance via your bank – they usually offer it when you open your account and the options are cheap and efficient.

You can also get in touch with the usual suspects like AXA, Allianz etc.

However you can also shop around, as with most services in France, there will always be a new startup that will offer you a service you can control via an app – here are a couple:

Finally, you can compare the price of insurers by clicking here : 

How does it work ?

Go on the website or on your phone and just fill out the documents for your chosen provider.

It’s quite easy to get house insurance, but quite difficult to cancel it. Make sure you check the terms and conditions of cancelling the contract once you want to leave.

What do you need ?

  1. A bank account where your monthly payments will be taken from. This means you’ll need a RIB (relevé d’information bancaire)
  2. Some information about the property (size, date of build, address etc.)
  3. Details about the furniture in the place.

What to do in the case of a disaster ?

  1. Alert your insurance as soon as you can, even if the disaster is still ongoing.
  2. In the case of a burglary, go to the police station to complain and send a copy of the complaint to your insurance. 
  3. Take pictures of the damage.

In every contract, there is what is called a franchise, a minimum amount to pay. If the amount to cover is over that franchise, the franchise is the only amount you’ll pay, usually around €200. Check your house insurance to see your franchise amount.

Tips and tricks:

  • Make sure to check what is covered before you call any experts like a plumber. With Juliette, we had this problem, a leak appeared in our toilet. We called a plumber that totally misdiagnosed our issue. It wasn’t covered by our insurance and cost us over 4k.
  • When you need costs covered by the insurance, get their permission before calling a specialist. Your insurance will approve the cost in advance and then refer you to one of their craftspeople. 
  • TAKE DATED PICTURES AND VIDEO of any damages that happen in your home, whether it’s your fault or not.
  • Check the cancellation conditions before signing.

Getting fired

Posted on by Amaury
Getting fired

In this article, we’ll see what happens when you get fired. And there are two main ways for an employer to end your contract. As in any other country, either you or your employer can end the relationship. However, the ways to do it and the consequences will be different based on who instigates the break-up.

Little disclaimer : we are not law professionals and the advice we give is of course not exhaustive. If you have any remaining doubts or questions after reading this article, either contact us or an employment law professional.

Getting fired for personal reasons

Why could I be dismissed ?

French employment law dictates that an employee termination can happen on the basis of disciplinary or competency reasons. These two motives are referred to in French as “motif personnel” and cover two categories : 

  1. The disciplinary reasons : if you’re always late, misconduct on the job, insult or hurt co-workers etc.
  2. The non-disciplinary reasons : if you’re not qualified enough for the job, don’t have the skills etc.

Are there any steps before dismissal ?

There are multiple sanctions and measures that can be taken before the dismissal. And usually, companies won’t resort to a termination right away. You may first get an official reprimand, then a suspension and if the faulty behavior persists, you will be laid-off.

What are the steps for a dismissal for personal reasons ?

Step 1 : Notification

You usually receive a letter or an email inviting you to a pre-dismissal meeting (“entretien préalable au licenciement” in french).

Step 2 : Pre-dismissal meeting

Within 5 days of the reception of the notification letter, HR or management will call you in to let you present your point of view. In this meeting, you can be accompanied by any person from the company that you want.

Step 3 : Letter of dismissal

If the meeting above is inconclusive, within two days you’ll receive a dismissal letter by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt (LRAR = lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception). This letter will state the motive for dismissal and the initial date of notice given. Usually, unless for certain motives (gross misconduct or negligence / faute grave ou faute lourde) where you can be fired right away, the notice will be about a month.

Is there anything I can do to dispute my dismissal ?

If you feel like you don’t agree with your employer and have grounds for a claim, here are the steps : 

  • Within 15 days of receiving the dismissal letter, you can write a letter to your employer to request clarifications. This letter must be LRAR.
  • The employer has then 15 days to answer to you.
  • If you are not satisfied with their response, you can refer your case to a specific labour court called “prud’hommes” in France.

How much do I get as severance ?

That’s a tricky question as it depends on your seniority in the company, the grounds of your dismissal etc.

Basically, what you need to bear in mind is that : 

  • In the event of dismissal for gross misconduct, you don’t get anything
  • In other cases you get a ¼ month salary per year in the company
  • You can waive the severance package and negotiate a compensation package based on the money that the company owes you for paid leave, bonuses etc…

What happens after getting fired ?

Employees laid off through this procedure are eligible for unemployment benefits in most situations. Again, it is important to note that we are dealing with French employment law that is quite complex and sometimes calls for different outcomes in situations that look the same.

To discover how to register with the french employment agency, click here.

Getting fired on economic grounds

Why would a company resort to that ?

When in a financial plight, companies may choose to lay off staff and this creates some obligations from the employer toward the employee.

This may happen when :

  • there has been a significant shift in the market that the company didn’t adress
  • a technological change triggers significant evolutions within the company.

Are there any steps before dismissal ?

Most of the time, dismissal on economic grounds doesn’t happen from one day to another. In companies under financial or economic duress, employees are aware of the difficulties whether through official channels (HR, management) or unofficial ones (what you hear during coffee break).

This is just to say that when the first steps of a dismissal on economic grounds are taken, it’s not a complete surprise.

Before actually firing people, the employer must define the skills that he needs to retain or hire. For the people that don’t fall into these categories, the company has to offer them opportunities within the company under different positions.

Actually, even though this is an obligation under law, most of the time companies know they have to take drastic actions and need to lay off some people, so they may offer underqualified positions or to work halfway around the world…

What are the steps for a dismissal on economic grounds ?

Step 1 : Notification

You usually receive a letter or an email that invites you to a preliminary meeting (“entretien préalable” in french).

Step 2 : Preliminary meeting

Within 5 days of the reception of the notification letter, HR or management will call you in to let you present your point of view. In this meeting, you can be accompanied by any person from the company that you want.

Step 3 : Dismissal letter

Within 7 to 15 days after the meeting you’ll receive a letter of dismissal by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt (LRAR = lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception).

Is there anything I can do to dispute my dismissal ?

If you wish to dispute the grounds for dismissal, the package etc, you can refer your case to the “prud’hommes” within the french labour court. In that situation, you should get help from a professional.

How much do I get as severance ?

That’s a tricky question as it depends on your seniority in the company, the grounds of your dismissal etc.

Basically, what you need to bear in mind is that : 

  • You usually get a ¼ month salary per year in the company. This grows with your years of service.
  • You can waive the severance package and negotiate a compensation package based on the money that the company owes you for paid leave, bonuses etc…

What happens after getting fired ?

Employees laid off through this procedure are eligible for unemployment benefits in most general situations. Again, it is important to note that we are dealing with French employment law that is quite complex and sometimes calls for different outcomes in situations that look the same.

To discover how to register with the french employment agency, click here.

Tips

  • French law dictates that any termination must be caused by a genuine and serious motive. If you have the displeasure of being in such a situation one day, and feel that the break-up of your contract doesn’t have serious grounds, please get in touch with an employment law professional.
  • Make a copy or digitally store every exchange with HR or management during this procedure.
  • Paid leave : If you have not been able to take all of your leave before the end of the notice, these days will be paid to you.

Cover letter in France

Posted on by Amaury

Overview

Writing a cover letter is paramount in France. Most of the jobs you’ll apply to will require you to explain your motivation, what excites you about the job and how you qualify for it. This can be a bit annoying sometimes, usually when you apply for a day-job, or temp-job.

Should you write the cover letter in French ?

Most of the job listings won’t mention the language in which you should write your cover letter. We can safely assume that being a foreigner applying in France, you can write this letter in English and mention that French is not your mother tongue and get it translated.

The Header

The header will help the recruiter to know you better and how to get in touch with you. You should add as much information as you can. It is usually a good idea to mention your : 

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Linkedin profile (with a clickable link)

What should be in your cover letter ?

Your cover letter should underline your motivation, skills and ambition to apply for the job. I recommend you get these two sections in your cover letter : 

  1. The job offer and the way you understand it – what are your motivations – what is at stake for you in the job offered ?
  2. Your previous work history and how the experiences you had taught you the requested skills to perfectly fill the position.

Here are some suggestions to add to these two sections : 

  • Personal experiences and reasons why your are fit for the job : it could be a project, a passion…
  • A global and refined, concise analysis of the company, market or product related to the job offer…
  • Illustration of your remote working skills and explanation of how you managed to organise your work through the COVID-19 pandemic

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don’t begin with “I’m writing to apply for …” => Recruiters will prefer it if you mention a few words about the company, the market or if you begin with your studies.
  • Spelling mistakes => make sure you correct all of your mistakes before sending.
  • Inconsistencies / copy/paste from your CV => make sure to explain in your cover letter the experiences you mention in your CV.
  • Also check the name of the attachment, if the listing suggested one (otherwise go for something classic like NAME SURNAME – Cover Letter)
    • NEVER SEND a .doc file => you should turn your .doc file into a pdf before you send it.
  • Never send a blank email => if you send an email to the recruiter, write an abstract of your cover letter in the email, it can appeal to the recruiter and catch their attention.
  • Don’t mention a weak point => if you have one (which is good, it means you’re human)  don’t mention it, it will naturally pop up in the interview.
  • No more than 1 page => your cover letter must be short, it’s not a biography.
  • Chunks of the text are the worst to read => Lighten up your cover letter in short paragraphs and mark the most important words in bold!
  • Not explaining the acronyms => if you’re not talking about the UN or the FBI (which everyone knows about), you should write what the letters stand for.
  • Getting fancy in the end => French people like literature and style but for a cover letter, it is better to keep it simple like “Hoping my application will catch your attention”.