How to hire contractors in France

Tapping into the local talent network in France is a no-brainer. France is known for its highly educated workforce, whether you need tech workers, creative professionals, or consultants in a highly specialized niche. 

To hire contractors in France, you first need to understand the legal and administrative requirements. French labor laws are strict, and missteps can lead to fines and legal penalties. Partnering with a workforce management platform like Payoneer WFM removes the hassle and admin you’d otherwise have to deal with. 

In this guide, we walk you through the difference between contractors and employees in France, key labor laws to understand, how to hire and pay, and the easiest way to manage the whole process. 

How to hire contractors in France

To hire contractors in France, you need to know the difference between contractors and employees and understand the basics of local labor laws. Then, you can use platforms to find appropriately qualified workers. 

1. Understand contractor vs. employee classification

In France, contractors and employees are two distinct positions, which French labor law takes very seriously. Misclassifying a worker, even unintentionally, can lead to fines, penalties, and legal disputes.

In France, contractors are classified as workers who:

• Are self-employed or operate as a separate business
• Control how and when they work
• Are paid per project or invoice (not hourly)
• Have no entitlement to employee benefits
• Handle their own taxes and are registered as self-employed contractors
• Work in their own space and provide their own tools and materials
• Don’t have to follow any code of conduct or disciplinary procedures

Employees, on the other hand:

• Work under the authority of an employer
• Have their working hours, tools, and tasks set by their employer
• Are paid a regular salary
• Are entitled to paid leave, social security, severance pay, etc.
• Have taxes and social security contributions withheld from their pay by their employer
• Are entitled to use their employer’s office space and tools
• Sign a contract and adhere to their employer’s code of conduct

Essentially, if you’re directing their schedule, assigning daily tasks, and requiring them to use your tools, in the eyes of the law, they’re an employee.

Misclassification of French contractors can cause a lot of legal headaches. Here’s how to stay compliant with local laws:

• Give contractors autonomy in how they deliver work
• Avoid setting fixed working hours or integrating them into your team structure
• Sign a clear service agreement before beginning any projects
• Keep documentation supporting the above

2. Understand local labor laws

Even if you plan to only hire contractors in France, it’s important to understand the broader employment landscape to set fair expectations and stay compliant.

• Minimum wage: As of 2025, the French minimum wage (SMIC) is approximately €1,801.80 per month for a full-time employee. That’s around $2,035.  This doesn’t apply to contractors, but your rates should still reflect fair market value.
• Working hours: The legal limit for employees is 35 hours per week; any extra hours are considered overtime. 
• Public holidays: Of France’s 11 national public holidays, only May Day (May 1) is a statutory paid holiday. However, most employers grant all 10 other days as paid time off. In France, contractors don’t get paid leave, but may factor public holidays into their availability or project timelines.
• Termination: Employee terminations require notice, valid cause, and, in most cases, severance pay. In France, contractors’ termination terms depend on what’s written in their service agreement. 
• Contract terms: Employment contracts in France are highly regulated and often include mandatory elements like job title, hours, salary, and benefits. Contractor agreements are more flexible, but should still include deliverables, payment terms, and a statement of independence. 

3. Find and hire contractors in France

Now it’s time to find the right contractor for the job. France has a huge freelancer network, and there are plenty of platforms you can use to connect with skilled professionals across industries.

Popular platforms to find contractors in France include:

• Freelance.com
• Malt.fr
• Beager
• JeSuisNumerique

When hiring in France, contractors should be able to provide references and a portfolio of past work. Ask for any client testimonials they can share with you before making your decision. 

It’s also a good idea to discuss availability, communication preferences, and time zones upfront to ensure you’re aligned. Then clearly define your expectations, including timelines, deliverables, and payment details.

Finally, write a solid contract that will protect both you and the contractor in case anything goes wrong down the line. 

Your contract should include:

• Scope of work
• Deliverables and deadlines
• Payment terms and schedule
• Confidentiality and data protection clauses, if applicable
• Termination clauses
• A clear statement confirming the independent status of the contractor

Once you’ve found the right person and signed a contract, the next step is ensuring you pay them accurately and compliantly, especially when working across borders and currencies.

How to pay contractors in France

To pay contractors in France, choose a secure payment method, confirm they have the correct tax status, and use platforms like Payoneer to simplify the process while staying compliant.

1. Determine how to pay

The next big question is how to pay your contractor quickly, securely, and in line with local regulations. Contractors in France use a range of payment methods. Here are the most common options:

• Bank transfers: SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) transfers are fast, reliable, and low-cost for euro-to-euro payments within the EU. Most French contractors will expect this as the default.

• Online payment platforms: Digital payment platforms offer flexible international payments, though fees can be higher.

• Global payroll and contractor platforms: Workforce management software like Payoneer WFM can centralize payments, compliance, and tax handling.

2. Ensure your French contractors have the right tax information

Independent contractors in France are responsible for managing and paying their own taxes, including income tax and social security contributions.

While you won’t withhold taxes on their behalf, you do need to ensure your contractors are properly registered and operating as self-employed individuals.

If you’re a US-based company, you’ll also need to handle your own reporting obligations. Typically, that means collecting a Form W-8 BEN from each French contractor and filing Form 1042, depending on the circumstances.

3. Pay your French contractors

Now you’re ready to pay contractors in France. While you can manage payments manually, using a workforce management or global payment platform like Payoneer WFM can make the process much easier.

These platforms:

• Eliminate the typical administrative barriers of global hiring
• Automate currency conversions and international transfers
• Handle invoicing and documentation
• Offer compliance features and payment tracking
• Reduce overhead, especially when handling multiple contractors across countries and currencies

One last tip: When budgeting, consider additional costs like international transfer fees, currency exchange rates, and platform service charges. These can add up quickly and impact your bottom line.

Why Payoneer WFM is the easiest way to hire and pay contractors in France

Hiring and paying international contractors doesn’t have to be complicated. Payoneer Workforce Management (WFM) streamlines the entire process from onboarding to payroll.

Payoneer WFM is a unified platform that helps companies hire independent contractors and full-time employees in 160+ countries, including France, without setting up a local legal entity. This means faster hiring and lower costs, all while staying compliant with local laws. 

With Payoneer WFM, you can:

• Onboard contractors quickly
• Run global payroll in multiple currencies and mitigate financial risk
• Stay compliant with French employment and tax regulations
• Manage everything in one place, including contracts, benefits, work permits, taxes, timesheets, and background checks
• Automate payments, reducing manual work, delays, and human error

From hiring in days to multi-currency payroll, Payoneer WFM has everything a business needs to hire, pay, and manage a global team with confidence. 

France Contractors FAQs

What is the difference between a contractor and an employee in France?

There are several differences between contractors and employees in France. The main differences revolve around how much autonomy the worker has. Contractors can set their own hours, working locations, and daily tasks. Employees in France have most of these things dictated by their employer. Classifying contractors and employees properly in France is important to avoid potential penalties.

What are some advantages of hiring French contractors?

Hiring contractors in France allows you to access an extensive, skilled workforce, gives you flexibility to hire for short-term projects, and can offer lower costs than hiring in the US. 

Can you manually pay contractors in France?

While you can manually manage paying contractors in France, it’s not the best idea. Managing payments manually can lead to compliance errors and security concerns, and may create a bad experience for your contractors if anything goes wrong. 

Using a global contractor management system like Payoneer WFM is an easy way to make managing contractors simple, quick, and compliant.