In short:
- Under job posting rules in France, a posting must be dated, identify the employer and describe the job, the contract and the place of work.
- It is written in French when the work is performed in France.
- Mentions of sex, age or any discriminatory criterion are prohibited, apart from exceptions provided for by law.
- A discriminatory posting carries 3 years’ imprisonment and a 45,000 euro fine.
Job posting: the employer’s first showcase
A job posting is often the first contact between a company and a candidate. As such, it is part of employer branding. Its drafting is regulated: Entreprendre.Service-Public sets out what is expected and what is prohibited.
Mandatory content
- A presentation of the company.
- The job title and a description of the main duties.
- The type of contract and its length (permanent, fixed-term, apprenticeship).
- The qualifications and experience required.
- The place of work.
- Contact details and how to apply.
- The publication date.
Language
The posting is written in French when the work is performed in France or when the employer is French.
Prohibited content
| Mention | Rule |
|---|---|
| Sex of the candidate | Prohibited, apart from exceptions (artists, models) |
| Age limit or range | Prohibited, unless a legal text requires it |
| False or misleading statements | Prohibited, whether about the job or the benefits offered |
| Discriminatory criteria | Prohibited (health, religion and other protected grounds) |
Distributing the posting
The employer freely chooses its channels: company website, social networks, press, recruitment firms, job fairs. Using France Travail is not mandatory.
Before recruiting externally, certain employees must be informed of the vacancy, in particular part-time employees who want a full-time job and employees made redundant for economic reasons who have rehiring priority.
Penalties
- False statements: 1 year’s imprisonment and a 37,500 euro fine.
- Discrimination: 3 years’ imprisonment and a 45,000 euro fine.
What about pay?
The bill on pay transparency provides that the employer discloses the proposed pay or a pay range during recruitment. This text has not yet been adopted.
After publication
- Limit the questions put to candidates to the information an employer can ask a job candidate.
- Keep a record of the published posting and its date.
- Prepare the hiring formalities as soon as the candidate is chosen.
Pay, internal priorities and drafting support
Pay is not yet a mandatory item
According to the Entreprendre.Service-Public guide, stating the salary and any additional pay in a job posting is not mandatory at present. The guide adds that this item could soon be required, because of the European directive on pay transparency.
Priorities to respect before publishing
- Priority access to the job: this concerns for example a part-time employee who wants to work full-time.
- Rehiring priority: this benefits a former employee made redundant for economic reasons. It is mentioned in the dismissal letter and applies for one year from the end of the contract.
Tools available
France Travail offers tools to help draft job postings. Using it to distribute them remains optional.
Frequently asked questions
What are the job posting rules in France regarding mandatory content?
A job posting must present the company, the job title and description, the type and length of contract, the qualifications and experience expected, the place of work, contact details and how to apply. It must be dated and written in French when the work is performed in France.
What content is prohibited in a job posting?
A job posting cannot mention the sex of the candidate sought, apart from exceptions such as artists or models, or an age limit, unless a legal text requires it. It must contain no false or misleading statement and no discriminatory criterion linked for example to health or religion.
What are the penalties for a discriminatory job posting?
According to Entreprendre.Service-Public, a discriminatory job posting carries 3 years’ imprisonment and a 45,000 euro fine. A posting containing false statements is punishable by one year’s imprisonment and a 37,500 euro fine.
Sources
- Entreprendre.Service-Public, Préparer et diffuser une offre d’emploi, guide checked on 2 October 2025, consulted on 4 October 2026.