What Is France’s Minimum Wage or SMIC? Proving Sufficient Funds or Income.

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What Is France’s Minimum Wage or SMIC? Proving Sufficient Funds or Income.

The legal minimum wage in France is known as ‘SMIC’, and it’s not only important for workers and employers—the net monthly minimum wage is also used to calculate the ‘sufficient funds’ or ‘minimum income’ required for French long-stay visas and residency cards. Here’s what you need to know.

What is SMIC in France?

As with many countries around the world, France has a legal minimum hourly wage, which applies to Metropolitan France, as well as overseas departments and the territorial authority of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. In France, this is known as the ‘salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance’ or SMIC, and it applies to all employees aged 18 or older working in the private sector or in the public sector under private conditions.

Most people use the word ‘SMIC’ (pronounced “smick”) when talking about the minimum wage, while minimum wage earners are often referred to as ‘smicards’.

The SMIC figure refers to the minimum legal hourly wage in France and applies to all adult employees in all fields. The SMIC salary can include benefits in kind and productivity-related premiums; however, it cannot include overtime, reimbursement of expenses, holiday premiums, and other bonuses.

What is the Minimum Wage in France?

As of Jan 1st, 2024, the minimum wage or SMIC in France is €11.65 gross or approximately €9.22  net. Here’s a full breakdown of the gross and net SMIC salaries:

SMIC in France as of Jan 1st 2024

Hourly minimum wage:

  • Gross €11.65
  • Net €9.22

Monthly SMIC

  • Gross €1,766.93
  • Net €1,398.69

Annual minimum wage:

  • Gross €21,203
  • Net €16,784.32

Note that the net amounts (salary minus deducted taxes and social security payments) are indicative of national averages but will depend on the individual’s tax deductions and employee pension contributions.

A reduced rate SMIC can be used for apprentices and young employees under a training contract, for example, a 10% reduction for those between 17 and 18 years and a 20% reduction for those under 17 years old.

Minimum wage increases

Since 2013, the SMIC is revalued each January 1st and is based on the inflation measured for the 20% of households with the lowest incomes. If the consumer price index increases by more than 2% during the year, the SMIC is also revalued. The government may also choose to increase the SMIC at any time.1

French Visas: How SMIC is Used to Calculate Sufficient Funds

If you are an expat hoping to move to France or retire to France, the SMIC amount may be more important than you think. Being as the SMIC is used as the reference figure for minimum income in France, it is also used as the base amount for calculating the ‘minimum income’ or ‘sufficient funds’ required for French long-stay visas and Carte de Séjour (residency card) applicants.

Applicants for French visas – including the temporary long-stay visa, which allows second-home owners to stay for up to six months – must demonstrate that they have a stable and regular income that meets the minimum income threshold (or the equivalent in savings to cover the entire period of the visa). This minimum income is calculated based on the ‘net’ SMIC salary in France, so you would need to prove that you earn €1,399 or more net per month, or €16,785 annually to cover the duration of the visa you are applying for.

Typically, this can be either through proof of regular income (from a job, rental properties, or pension) or through proof of accessible funds or savings.

Working in France?

Whether you’re working as an English teacher, setting up a business, or taking a CDI (permanent job) at a French company, FrenchEntrée is here to help you settle into your new life in France. Our Essential Reading articles cover all the bases, from writing your French CV or setting up as an Auto-entrepreneur to running a gite business or navigating the French workplace. 

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Comments

  •  Keji
    2023-07-03 04:57:31
    Keji
    Hi Zoe, I am an international student currently on a student Visa and i recently received a CDI contract that will require me working 35hrs per week and my salary net comes down to €1,300 net (per month) based on hourly rate of 35hrs per week. Does this qualify me enough to apply for "Changement de situation" in order to get a work permit ? Thanks in advance.

    REPLY

  • colin moore
    2023-02-16 04:19:06
    colin moore
    My wife and I are hoping to retire to France. I have had a house there since 1984 ,all paid for . Our combined pensions come to just under the SMIC level . I have approx £50,000 in investments plus our house here can be sold, value approx £200,000, free of all mortgage and debt. Is this enough to satisfy the French authorities? Also iI am 76 years old, but very fit and no medical problems. Is my age a problem? Thank you.

    REPLY

    • Zoë Smith
      2023-02-17 10:51:25
      Zoë Smith
      Hi Colin, Every visa application is considered on an individual basis by the authorities, so I am not able to tell you whether or not it would be accepted. However, I can confirm that savings, assets, and all kinds of income are taken into account, as well as being a homeowner without a mortgage, so all of these things would work in your favour. There are also no limitations regarding age, providing you have the relevant health insurance.

      If you are worried about the application or would like more specific advice on your application, it might be worth considering using a hand-holding service - while you will, of course, pay for this service, it can be money well spent to ensure you secure the visa, especially in situations where you are unsure if you meet the criteria.

      I would be happy to put you in touch with one of our partners who deal with visas and residency - it certainly wouldn't hurt to reach out and have a chat with them about your options. If that's something you would like, send me an email at [email protected] and I will put you in touch. Best regards, Zoe

      REPLY

  •  Linda Beaumont
    2022-08-03 12:06:18
    Linda Beaumont
    Hi, we are a retired couple of 70 and 76 years and my husband is a French national and we wish to retire to France. I have to apply still for a visa in London. I have read somewhere that when accessing income the amount taken in to consideration is a joint amount not a single amount, unfortunately I cannot find the article mentioning this, can you help please. Many thanks.

    REPLY

    • Zoë Smith
      2022-08-03 13:15:24
      Zoë Smith
      Hi Linda, I'm afraid there is not an officially disclosed amount for a married couple, but it is expected to be close to the amount required for an individual. Every application is considered on an individual basis, so my best advice would be to contact France Visas (https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/) for advice. Best regards, Zoe

      REPLY