Changing Employers in France on a Work Permit

Changing employers in France (République française — French Republic) on a work permit depends on your residence card. If you hold a salarié or travailleur temporaire card, a new contract with a new employer generally requires a new work authorisation, requested by the new employer through the ANEF portal before you start. Talent card holders, including EU Blue Card holders, can usually change employer as long as the new job meets their category's conditions, such as the €59,373 Blue Card salary threshold. A decree in force from 30 October 2026 also adjusts the rules on job loss. This EU Helpers guide explains each situation — international candidates can explore French opportunities through EU Helpers. France is a founding member of the EU (1958), a founding Schengen state, a eurozone member since 1999, a founding NATO member since 1949 and a founding Council of Europe member since 1949.

Essential Context: How French Work Permits Are Tied to Employers

The rules differ between general work cards and Talent cards.

When You Can Change Employers in France

• Salarié or travailleur temporaire holders — you can change employer once your new employer has obtained a new work authorisation for you.
• Talent holders — you can change employer if the new job fits your Talent category; your employer must check that your permit covers the job.
• Involuntary job loss on a travailleur temporaire card — under the October 2026 decree, the card cannot be withdrawn solely because of up to three months of involuntary unemployment in total during its validity.
• Blue Card holders and employer misconduct — if you lose your job because of a serious failure by your employer, you have six months to find new work, which can be extended to the end of your unemployment benefit rights.

The Step-by-Step Process

Salarié or Travailleur Temporaire Card

1. Secure a written offer from the new employer.
2. The new employer submits a work authorisation request through ANEF, with the contract and required documents.
3. Wait for the work authorisation to be granted before starting the new job.
4. Resign from your current job with the correct notice, timed around the authorisation.
5. Attach the new work authorisation to your next residence permit renewal.

Talent Card

1. Check that the new job meets your Talent category — for example €59,373 a year and highly qualified work for the Blue Card.
2. The new employer checks and authenticates your residence permit before hiring.
3. Report the change of professional situation to the prefecture through ANEF.
4. Keep your salary at or above the threshold, as it is checked at renewal.

Documentation You Will Need

Timing: How Long the Switch Takes

Rules on Notice, Probation and Severance

• Notice — the notice period when you resign is set by your contract, collective agreement or local custom; it is often one month for non-managers and three months for managers (cadres).
• Probation — the trial period depends on your category, up to four months for managers, renewable once if the agreement allows.
• Severance — resignation does not give a right to severance; a negotiated termination (rupture conventionnelle) can give an indemnity and unemployment benefit rights.
• Final pay — unused paid leave is compensated when you leave.

Salary and Benefits When Switching

Salarié and travailleur temporaire jobs must offer pay and conditions in line with French law and the collective agreement. Talent jobs must meet the category threshold — €59,373 a year for the Blue Card and €39,582 for the qualified employee category. Compare gross pay, the 13th month, profit-sharing, meal vouchers and health cover.

Risks and Common Mistakes

• Starting before the new work authorisation — working for an employer without authorisation is illegal for both of you.
• Resigning too early — wait until the new authorisation is in sight.
• A Talent job below the threshold — your renewal may be refused.
• Not reporting changes — Talent holders should report a change of professional situation through ANEF.
• Forgetting renewal paperwork — attach the new work authorisation to your renewal.
• Forgetting family members — their permits depend on yours.

Special Cases

• Resident card holders — can change employer freely.
• Intra-group transfers (ICT) — permits are tied to the group employer.
• Seasonal workers — follow separate rules.
• Moving to another EU country — Blue Card holders can use intra-EU mobility after 12 months.
• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens — no permit is needed.

Final Guidance

Changing employers in France on a work permit depends on your card. Holders of salarié or travailleur temporaire cards need a new work authorisation, requested by the new employer through ANEF, before starting. Talent and Blue Card holders can usually move if the new job meets their category's conditions, but should report the change and keep their salary above the threshold. Check your notice period, avoid gaps between jobs and keep your family's permits in mind. Always confirm current rules on ANEF and service-public.fr before resigning. International candidates can explore French opportunities through EU Helpers. EU Helpers supports foreign workers with offer checks, work authorisation requests, Talent compliance, timing and documents.