France: first day at work, documents, contract and payslip
From the offer to the first payslip: what to do and check, in order, when you start a job as an employee in France.
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Time: from signing to the first 3 months
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Before signing
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For €3,000 gross, a non-cadre receives €2,374.79 before income tax in 2026: the net salary calculator does it with your numbers.
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It can be more favorable than the law; its title appears on the payslip (Labor Code, R. 3243-1).
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A CDD must be in writing and state its reason, otherwise it becomes a CDI (L. 1242-12). For a CDI, the employer must at least hand over a written statement of the main information (L. 1221-5-1).
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For a CDI: 2 months at most for workers and clerical staff, 3 for supervisors and technicians, 4 for cadres (managers) (L. 1221-19).
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The employer covers 50% of your public transport pass (L. 3261-2 and R. 3261-1).
The documents to bring
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For a foreign employee, the employer must check that they hold a valid work permit (Ministry of Labor).
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The employer puts it in the prior hiring declaration if you are already registered (R. 1221-1).
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A private-sector employer must offer collective supplementary health cover; some employees, on a short contract for example, can be exempted (Service Public).
The first day
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The law requires that hiring takes place only after this declaration by the employer (L. 1221-10).
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A CDD is handed to you at the latest 2 working days after hiring (L. 1242-13); the main information within 7 days or 1 month, depending on the item.
The first payslip
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The electronic version is the rule; you can ask for paper by refusing the digital version (L. 3243-2, Service Public).
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These items are mandatory on the payslip (R. 3243-1).
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For €3,000 gross, a non-cadre pays €339.30 in contributions and €285.91 in CSG-CRDS in 2026: net before tax of €2,374.79.
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It simplifies the declaration to the Caf, the family benefits office (Service Public).
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These items are mandatory (R. 3243-1). Your rate is on impots.gouv.fr.
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The payslip shows the amount actually received and the payment date (R. 3243-1).
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That is 30 working days a year at most (L. 3141-3).
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This is the rule for passes between home and the workplace (L. 3261-2 and R. 3261-1).
In the first months
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It takes place within 3 months of starting the job (R. 4624-10).
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The employer keeps them for 5 years, then must guarantee your access for 50 years or 6 years after your retirement (Service Public).
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You can challenge a payslip for 3 years from when it was handed to you (Service Public).
First payslip checked
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Good to know
- This list gives the order of things to do and check; the exact rules depend on your contract and your collective agreement, which can be more favorable than the law.
- The trial period and its renewal cannot be presumed: they must be written in the engagement letter or the employment contract (L. 1221-23).
- The amounts in the example are 2026 amounts for a private-sector non-cadre employee; a cadre, part-time work or a special scheme have other lines on the payslip.
- The list is for private-sector employees: an internship, an apprenticeship contract, home employment or the civil service have their own rules.
Frequently asked questions
Which documents should I bring on the first day?
An ID (or a residence permit that allows work), the social security number, a bank details slip, and depending on the company proof of address, your diplomas or the proof for a mutuelle exemption. The employer, for its part, must have made the prior hiring declaration.
What is the maximum length of the trial period?
For a CDI, 2 months for workers and clerical staff, 3 for supervisors and technicians, 4 for cadres. Renewal is possible only once and only if an extended branch agreement provides for it: 4, 6 or 8 months in total. For a CDD, one day per week, 2 weeks at most if the contract lasts 6 months or less, 1 month at most beyond that.
Does the employment contract have to be in writing?
A CDD, yes: it must be in writing, state its reason and be handed to you within 2 working days of hiring. For a CDI, the form is free, but the employer must give you a written statement with the main information on the employment relationship, within 7 days for some items and within the month for the others.
Is the company mutuelle mandatory?
A private-sector employer must offer its employees collective supplementary health cover, with exceptions. Some employees, on a short contract for example, can be exempted from joining: ask the employer for the cases and the proof required, or read the Service Public sheet.
How much paid leave do I earn per month?
You earn 2.5 working days of leave per month of actual work with the same employer, or 30 working days a year at most. Your collective agreement or your contract may provide for more.
When is the hiring medical visit?
The information and prevention visit takes place with an occupational health professional within 3 months of actually starting the job.
What if I do not receive a payslip?
Ask for it in writing from the employer. Every employee must receive one when the salary is paid; if it is refused, you can go to the labor court (conseil de prud’hommes), and the employer risks a fine of up to €450 per payslip not handed over (Service Public).
Next step
I’m not an accountant or a financial advisor. This is an estimate, for information only. Check with a professional before you decide.
- The calculatorFrance salary calculator 2026: gross to net
- The guide, in a few minutesFrance: from gross to net, how to read your payslip
- The calculatorFrance statutory dismissal compensation (indemnité de licenciement) calculator
Sources
- Code du travail numérique — L. 1221-10: hiring can only take place after the prior declaration (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — The employer’s obligations when hiring (updated 27 May 2025) (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — Main information on the employment relationship: what the employer must provide (L. 1221-5-1) (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — L. 1221-19: maximum length of the CDI trial period (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — L. 1221-21: renewal of the trial period (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — L. 1221-23: the trial period must be expressly stipulated (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — L. 1242-10: trial period of the CDD (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — L. 1242-12: the CDD is drawn up in writing (and L. 1242-13: handed over within 2 working days) (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — L. 3141-3: 2.5 working days of leave per month of actual work (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — R. 3243-1: what the payslip must show (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — L. 3261-2: covering transport passes (R. 3261-1: 50%) (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — R. 4624-10: information and prevention visit within 3 months (in French)
- Code du travail numérique — What is the employer’s obligation on supplementary health cover? (updated 20 January 2026) (in French)
- Service Public — Payslip: handing over, items, keeping, challenging (checked 1 June 2026) (in French)
If you disagree about your contract or your pay, see first the staff representatives, then the labor inspectorate, a union or an employment lawyer.