Two frameworks, two logics: internship and apprenticeship
In France, people often confuse internships and apprenticeships although they follow opposite logics. An internship is a period of training in a workplace that forms part of a course of study: the intern remains a student, a pupil or a person in training, is not an employee and, in some cases, receives a stipend. An apprenticeship is an employment contract: the apprentice is an employee, alternates between an apprentice training centre and the company, and earns a wage.
The choice depends on your plans. An internship lets you discover an occupation or validate a semester. Apprenticeship aims at a diploma or professional title by combining training with paid experience over several months or years. This overview presents both routes, the bodies to know and the typical steps.
The internship: a three-party agreement
In France, an internship rests on an agreement signed by three parties: the training institution, the host organisation and the intern. It sets out the dates, the number of hours, the skills targeted, the activities entrusted, how the intern will be assessed, the amount of the stipend if there is one, and the identity of the supervisor at the organisation and of the academic tutor.
Before signing, have someone check that the tasks described really fit your course. An agreement is not a formality: it protects the intern and fixes what the organisation may ask of them. The substantive rules, notably the maximum length, the cap on the number of interns taken on and the ban on replacing an absent employee, come from the regulations in force, which should be consulted in their up-to-date version.
Length, stipend and working conditions of the intern
The length of an internship with the same organisation is limited to six months per academic year, with a ceiling expressed in hours of attendance. Beyond two consecutive months, or forty-four days of cumulative attendance, a minimum stipend is compulsory. It is calculated on an hourly rate linked to the social security ceiling: under the rules applying in 2026, this rate is 4.50 euros per hour of attendance, and the agreement or an arrangement may provide for more.
- The intern is subject to the maximum working hours that apply to the organisation's employees.
- They may benefit from the reimbursement of part of their public transport costs and from access to a staff canteen.
- They are entitled to the leave or authorised absences set out in the agreement for long internships.
These rules change: check them with your institution or the competent authority before signing.
Apprenticeship: an employment contract with a training centre
An apprenticeship contract links a company, an apprentice and an apprentice training centre, known as a CFA. In principle it is open to people aged 16 to 29 inclusive, with adjustments for certain groups, notably people with disabilities. It lasts from six months to three years depending on the diploma being prepared, with a length that can be adapted to the apprentice's level.
Pay is set as a percentage of the minimum wage, according to age and the year of the contract, and can be more favourable under a collective agreement. The rates are published and revised, so consult the scale currently in force. The apprenticeship master, appointed by the employer, provides the training in the company. The CFA often helps in finding an employer, but the apprentice also has to take active steps.
Where to look: companies, government departments, research bodies
The possibilities are split between the private sector, the public sector and research. Companies publish their offers on their careers pages, on job platforms and through the careers services of institutions. Chambers of commerce and industry also help companies find interns and apprentices, and guide applicants.
In the civil service, a national portal gathers internship and apprenticeship offers in the ministries and their departments. In research, bodies such as Inria take on interns and apprentices on scientific and digital subjects. Compare the real content of the tasks with your course: an attractive length does not make up for a lack of available supervision or a planned assessment.
Search calendar and typical steps
The calendar varies with the level and the sector. End-of-studies or gap-year internships are often prepared six to nine months ahead, sometimes longer in large companies. Apprenticeship contracts are generally signed in summer and at the start of the academic year, but enrolling at a CFA and looking for an employer can begin as early as the previous winter.
- Define the plan: occupation, sector, length, city, skills to develop.
- Update the CV and write a letter adapted to each application.
- Apply through several channels: careers pages, careers services, your network, speculative applications.
- Prepare for interviews by learning about the organisation and listing your questions.
- Have the agreement or contract validated before the activity begins.
Keep a record of each application and send a polite reminder after about two weeks.
Applicants from abroad: points to watch
Foreign students enrolled at a French institution do their internship as part of their course, with the same agreements as French students. A residence permit or a student visa does not automatically open all work rights: the conditions for taking up paid work, including an apprenticeship, depend on nationality and status, and may require a work permit.
Students enrolled at a foreign institution who do an internship in France need to look at their obligations regarding the agreement and residence. These rules vary with nationality, particularly for citizens of the European Union, and with the length of stay. Before signing, find out from your home institution, the host organisation and the competent authorities. Also plan for health insurance, housing and liability cover.
Illustrated example: choosing between a six-month internship and an apprenticeship contract
Here is a hypothetical case, with rounded figures. A second-year master's student hesitates between two offers: a six-month internship in a government department, and a one-year work-study placement at a logistics company. The internship lasts six months and would bring her a stipend, but no wage; the work-study placement would bring her a wage over twelve months and longer experience.
She compares the tasks, the quality of supervision, the timetable for her degree, her housing costs and the chance of being hired at the end of the period, with no guarantee in either case. She also asks her institution whether the work-study placement fits her course. After this comparison she chooses the work-study placement for its rhythm, keeping the internship as a second choice. This example is not a recommendation: each situation needs its own assessment.
Mistakes to avoid and useful habits
The most common difficulties are fairly predictable. Some people start work before the agreement is signed, which leaves them without protection. Others accept tasks far removed from their course, or carry out duties that belong to an employee's post without being paid as one.
- Never start without a signed agreement or a registered contract.
- Ask in writing for the hours, the location, the supervisor and the tasks.
- Keep a copy of every document.
- Quickly tell your academic tutor about any disagreement over tasks or hours.
- Beware of offers that ask for money to place you.
In the event of a dispute, talking to your institution, then to the competent bodies, remains the first step.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an internship and an apprenticeship in France?
An internship is a period of training in a workplace tied to a course, covered by an agreement, and the intern is not an employee. An apprenticeship is an employment contract alternating between a company and a training centre, with a wage. They differ in length, in rights and in purpose.
Does an internship have to be paid?
A minimum stipend is compulsory when the internship exceeds two consecutive months or forty-four days of attendance. In 2026 the minimum hourly rate is 4.50 euros under the rules applying. Below that threshold, the organisation may offer a voluntary stipend. Always check what the agreement says.
Can I do an internship in France without being a student?
An internship in the student sense requires you to be enrolled at an institution and to sign an agreement. Adults changing career or jobseekers can spend periods in a company under a different framework, for example an immersion or vocational training. A careers adviser can explain which scheme suits each situation.
Where can I find an offer in the public sector?
An inter-ministerial portal publishes internship and apprenticeship offers in the ministries, state departments and public bodies. Local authorities, hospitals and research bodies also publish their offers on their own sites. Recruitment methods vary: read the details of each offer before applying.
Can a foreign student do an internship in France?
Yes, as part of a course, with an agreement signed between the institution, the host organisation and the intern. Residence and work-permit conditions depend on nationality and status. They should be checked before the period begins with the institution and the competent authorities.
How do I choose between several internship offers?
Compare the content of the tasks with your course, the supervisor's availability, the assessment arrangements, the length, the stipend and side costs such as housing and transport. A well-paid offer without supervision teaches less than a clear, supported assignment linked to your goals.