Relocating to Europe starting a new experience in life is possible for educators as teaching jobs in France for foreigners at international schools is open if you qualify. Part of the European Union France has a mix of government, international and independent schools.
Teaching in France salary
Primary & secondary international school teacher salary France €30,000 – €48,700 euros per year 2023 before tax according to years of experience, location, student age taught & school.
Teacher salary could include a company pension scheme, travel allowance and relocation allowance including flight ticket.
American or British international schools in Paris salary euros €33,700 – €48,700 F/T per year for an art class teacher for example.
Private school on the Cote d’Azur offering a salary €30,000 – €32,000 euros per year (3 + years experience) for primary teacher full time position.
How to become a teacher in France requirements
A French school teacher should possess an appropriate subject degree, teaching qualification, BA/BSC, PGCE/other and right to live & work in France EU citizenship/work permit. You’ll also need a home police check, references & safeguarding check to work with children and possible medical check.
Schools hire single teachers or couples & family with no age discrimination.
To teach in France you hold a French work permit or EU citizenship with valid passport or eligible for a work permit & French residency.
For a British or US curriculum schools to apply for a work permit for non EU citizens overseas you require fluent English and passport from Australia, United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand.
Some schools will try to recruit non EU teachers applying for a work permit, other international schools in France won’t. Work permission for you takes several weeks if they can’t find a teacher in Europe that’s appropriate with the right to work in France.
You’ll be offered a 2 year teaching contract initially, although permanent contracts are given by some schools after the first contract. Reason for this is you’re on a probation period for the first 3-6 months, and is normal hiring practice for international schools employing teachers from abroad.
France international school teaching
Choose to teach at a day or boarding school in cities, towns & countryside locations offering facilities from horse riding, swimming pool, gymnasium, athletics and games rooms.
International schools offer students from 3-18 years old a range of core & elective subjects to study at different age levels including Baccalaureate, IGCSE, AS/A Level and American curriculum. Teaching day 9am to at 6pm is typical where you’ll deliver lessons, tutor time, and after school extra curricula activities you’re expected to participate.
American and British schools offer teachers to teach subject lessons in English and students acquire English language learning & ability. School holidays of around 12 weeks off for both teachers and students are spread over the entire year.
Normally teachers receive weekends off working & teaching 5 days a week, although French ski trip, and other excursions means you’ll be expected to accompany students.
American & British schools in France provide teachers around 13 weeks off throughout the years with breaks for summer, Christmas/new year and Easter and other weeks and French national day holidays.
France international school locations
Approximately 136 English speaking international schools are in France.
| Paris | Le Havre | Lyon | Marseilles | Montpellier | Toulouse |
| Nice | Mougins | Fuveau | Baillargues | Hérault | Bouches-du-Rhône |
| Grenoble | Bordeaux | Maurice Donat | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Lot-et-Garonne | Saint-Cloud |
Where to find a teacher job in France
Search on a popular global international teacher job board or simply conduct an internet search “Teaching jobs in France”. Recruitment agencies in United States and UK have arrangements with some schools to find qualified teachers from outside France if required.
School teacher recruitment starts around November to start the following August for international schools. Majority of teachers will be offered contracts by March to start in August with hard to fill posts (Maths, physics) advertised until filled.
Living in France
Learning at least some of the French language is beneficial for getting around, ordering food & drinks, travel on public transport or shopping.
Leisure & pastime are plentiful for every taste and location. Living in Nice, south of France you’ll have beaches on you’re doorstep and the French province countryside a short drive, bus or train ride away.
Working and living in Paris is provides a large range of sports club activities to choose from in the evenings or weekends. Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay, Paris art galleries to view painting and works of art us all around the city. Live entertainment from bands, French Opéra National de Paris, theater performances are offered 23 months of the year for a range of different tastes.
Those of you that like walking around looking at architecture and old buildings in Paris and France has many. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is in a central city location net to the river Seine, cafes, restaurants and shops to make it a multi task day out.
French transport
Transportation by coach, TVG or local train, air is all around France, modern and convenient. Traveling around town or cities frequent buses take you around so you can travel to work or during time off.
Driving in France is possible with exchanging you’re countries license if a reciprocal agreement is in place, although you may have to be a resident for 6 months first to apply.
Income taxes in France
Deductions from you’re salary each month are made for income tax, social insurance to cover medical health and retirement pension. Tax rate bands are progressive with you paying an amount of working tax on income according to you’re total salary & benefits.
Medical cover
When employed in France you’re enrolled in the state health system where you’re entitled to medical treatment. Coverage is around 80%, and an insurance policy you can take out for the 20% not covered by the French government health system.
Houses & apartment accommodation
You’ll require finding and paying for your own living accommodation while living & working in France. Choose from single bedroom to family apartment or house in a city, town or village location. Bigger cities and South of France is fairly expensive for rent.
You can purchase property as there’s no restriction on foreign ownership.
Country facts of France
- Capital – Paris
- Official language – French
- Population – 66.7 million approximately (2022)
- Currency – Euro
- Government – Constitutional Republic with elected president
Quick French facts
- Known for Tour de France bicycle road race each year.
- France is very popular tourist destination for holidays and weekend short tips.
- One of the founding members France is a member of the European Union.
- Mona Lisa painting displayed in Louvre Museum, Paris is one of the most popular attractions in France with visitors require to slowly walk past to view.