Working a winter season in France

Visas & right to work

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens have the automatic right to live and work in France without a visa or work permit — only a valid passport or national ID card is required to sign a contract.

Non-EU/EEA citizens (including UK, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and US nationals) need a valid work-eligible visa before starting work. The two main routes are the Working Holiday Visa (Vacances-Travail / PVT, available for eligible nationalities aged 18–30/35 such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand) or an employer-sponsored Carte de séjour "travailleur saisonnier" (which requires the employer to request an autorisation de travail via the ANEF portal before you apply at the consulate).

Contracts, hours & minimum pay (SMIC)

Almost all winter resort roles use the CDD saisonnier (Contrat à Durée Déterminée Saisonnier) governed by the HCR (Hôtels, Cafés, Restaurants) collective agreement. The standard base week is 35 hours, though 39-hour or 42-hour hospitality contracts are very common, with hours above 35 paid or accrued as overtime (heures supplémentaires at +10% to +50%).

Under the French statutory minimum wage (SMIC, June 2026 rate), the legal floor is €1,867.02 gross per month for a 35-hour week. Contracts with 39–42 hours, night shifts, or skilled kitchen/bar/chalet responsibilities typically pay between €1,950 and €2,800+ net per month.

Staff housing (logement saisonnier) & perks

In high-altitude purpose-built resorts (Val Thorens, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Les Menuires, La Plagne, Courchevel, Alpe d’Huez), private rentals are scarce and expensive, so employers frequently include shared staff studios or residence rooms (logé/nourri). Under HCR rules, employers may deduct a regulated nominal benefit-in-kind (avantage en nature) for housing and staff meals.

In lower valley towns like Chamonix or Morzine, more private seasonal beds exist, and some roles offer a housing stipend or partial assistance instead of a bed on site. Always check whether the Saison role card states "Housing included", "Partial housing help", or "No housing".

Arrival & admin checklist

• Sign your written CDD saisonnier within 48 hours of starting and verify the stated weekly hours, gross pay, and housing address.
• Request your Déclaration Préalable à l’Embauche (DPAE) receipt from your employer, which registers you with URSSAF and French social security (CPAM).
• Open a SEPA-compatible Euro bank account (a French IBAN or European IBAN via Revolut/Wise is accepted for French payroll).
• Keep every monthly payslip (bulletin de paie) and your end-of-season Attestation France Travail + Certificat de travail.

Common questions