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Work more, earn more
Overtime hours are now tax and charge free in France.
The French work on average 41 hours per week, which is more than the Norwegians (39.2), the Irish (40.2), the Finnish (40.3) or the Danish (40.4) according to Eurostat figures (2008). Management staff in France work on average 48 hours a week which makes them one of the hardest working in Europe just after Germany (49.7) but well ahead of the UK (44.2) and Sweden (44).
Moreover, France ranks 1st in the EU and 3rd worldwide in terms of hourly productivity (behind Norway and the US), well ahead of Great Britain and Germany.
New French labour regulations have been brought in and provide incentives to work more and earn more.
Companies can raise the number of hours worked by management staff or independent salaried employees from 218 days to 235 days (and even up to 282 working days if there is collective agreement for working on Saturdays)
Also, since October 2007, employees benefit from exemptions on tax and social security contributions for overtime hours worked over and above the legal working week, effectively an increase of 25% in pay for overtime. The employer also benefits from a flat reduction in employer social security charges for each additional overtime hour.
Read more information on the following PDF document.
- Re-establishing work incentives [pdf - 212 Ko]
- Other languages
This content is available only in French and Japanese at the moment. We are very sorry for the inconvenience.
Save money by thinking
Which country gets you up to 50 million euros if you invest 100 million in R&D?
France caters to innovative companies and, effective January 1, 2008, offers the best research tax credit in Europe. This public assistance facility aims to improve France’s competitiveness to attract new R&D centres and further develop existing ones.
In France, the research tax credit (Crédit Impôt Recherche – CIR) represents a reliable element of an innovative company’s financial plan, and is particularly well adapted to the needs of SMEs. This tax incentive enables companies to increase their competitiveness by supporting their Research & Development efforts.
The French Government has undertaken a major reform of the research tax credit by means of the Financial Law of 2008, which is in line with the "Lisbon strategy" (knowledge-based economy) and the "Barcelona objective" (3% of total GDP dedicated to R&D).
France has climbed two places in the “Global Competitiveness Index” published by the World Economic Forum, rising from 18th to 16th position.
France offers some of the best infrastructures worldwide (2nd position), an exceptional motorway and road network, and excellent energy and communication networks. Other strong points include: a healthy workforce and a high quality educational system – n°1 worldwide for its management schools.
France shows great vitality in the field of innovation: 2nd position for its capacity for innovation and patent protection. The country also offers a very favorable business environment (9th position in terms of modernization of activities).
Germany (7th) and the United Kingdom (12th) dropped by 2 and 3 places respectively in this index, which is based on a combination of statistics and opinion polls and an amalgamation of approximately one hundred different indicators.
Knowledge-based society: France mobilizes
Dynamic research centers and universities increasingly attractive to foreign students and research scientists.
Attracting foreign talents and expertise to France’s universities and research centers is essential to the development of its economy. France offers a top performing higher education and research system that attracts top students and research scientists from all over the world. To improve its attractiveness in these areas, France has introduced a whole series of reforms to adapt and improve its university curriculum, as well as boost its public and private research sectors.
- Knowledge-based society: France mobilizes [PDF - 380 Ko]
- Other languages
The FT published today its annual table of the best masters in management and confirmed the domination of French business schools in Europe.
HEC maintains its number one position for the fourth consecutive year, followed by ESCP-EAP. No fewer than six French schools are in the top ten (excluding CEMS, which is an international consortium with links to HEC). In total, France is home to 18 institutions out of 50. The FT league is based on criteria such as access to employment following graduation and salary level. Well ranked, French business schools are becoming more and more attractive internationally.
- Read more information about the Financial Times ranking
France remains one of the favorite destinations for foreign investment, in 3rd place behind the USA and Great Britain.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in France has almost doubled between 2006 and 2007, from 78,154 billion in 2006 to nearly 158 billion dollars in 2007, according to the figures published on UNCTAD’s World Investment Report (September 24, 2008).
Once again, France confirms its attractiveness to foreign investors. At the global level, FDI flows reached a record of 1,833 billion in 2007, an increase of 30% over 2006 and exceeding the record number reached in 2000. The European Union appears to be the first host region for FDI in developed countries.
- More information on UNCTAD
Paris, one of the most attractive capitals in the world according to foreign business leaders
Paris is one of the most attractive capitals in the world according to leading European, Asian and American business leaders.
This is based on a study conducted by Ernst & Young / CSA in spring 2008, with 508 of them supporting the Paris –Ile-de-France economic capital. Paris is in 3rd best known financial hub (53%) after New York and London and well ahead of Tokyo (20%) or Beijing (9%).
In the eyes of foreign business leaders, the strengths of the Paris metropolitan region lies in the dynamism of its politics, sports, culture, fashion, the renewal of business district in La Defence and Airbus 380. 61% of them say they are confident for the next three years. In 2007, the Paris region attracted 209 foreign direct investment projects, firmly maintaining its second place in Europe, after London but far ahead of Madrid (95 investment projects), Barcelona (90) or Frankfurt (74).
More information on Paris Capitale Economique
This content is only available in French and Japanese. We are very sorry for the inconvenience
French game maker Infogrames Entertainment SA announced on Sept. 9 a project of “strategic partnership” with Japanese toy and video game maker Namco Bandai Holdings.
Namco Bandai plans to hold 34% of Infogrames’s distribution network in the form of a new firm to be set up by Infogrames as a spin off of Atari’s European and Asian Sales division.
Namco Bandai would also have the possibility to purchase the 66% left until 2012 in order to turn the new firm into a wholly-owned subsidiary.
List of Japanese Investors in France 2008
The 2008 edition of the List of Japanese Investors is now available. You can download the PDF in English and Japanese.
This list is based on an inquiry survey carried out annually by the Japan Office of Invest in France Agency.
Click on the link below to download the document.
- List of Japanese Investors [pdf - 930 Ko]
- Other languages
The law of modernization of the economy is the latest step in the series of economic reforms launched by the French government in the spring of 2007.
This law stems from the law ratified on August 21, 2007, to improve purchasing power, employment and the business environment. The law of modernization of the economy focuses on invigorating the French economy. It fires up the engines on an open-market economy:
- encourages entrepreneurs;
- stimulates competition;
- increases the country's economic attractiveness;
- encourages financing for the economy
With this new law, France will be able to strengthen its place as the most competitive country in Europe as a choice for business locations (KPMG, Competitive Alternatives 2008).
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Invest in France Agency Paris
Caroline de CLAUZADE
Web Editor
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