Paris, Côte d’Azur, Alps … and fantastic cuisine! France offers, above all, an unforgettable taste and visual experience, but not only! People who decide to stay longer can count on high earnings and extensive social facilities. However, does a permanent stay in the most romantic country in Europe pay off? How high is the cost of living in France? Read on!
Wages and social security in France
In France there is still a shortage of labor! Employment can be found in virtually every industry. Particularly wanted are:
- construction specialists
- welders
- machine operators
- drivers
- production workers
- warehouse workers
In the summer season, you can go to the beautiful surroundings and work as a waiter or a maid. The turn of August and September is of course the season for the harvest – perfect seasonal work!
How much can you earn?
The hourly gross minimum rate is currently EUR 10.57, and the monthly gross wage is EUR 1,603.
When working through an employment agency, welders and other qualified employees can count on at least EUR 2,300 net per month. The average earnings of low-skilled workers are around EUR 1,700 net per month.
In addition to decent earnings, residents of France can count on generous help from the state – especially if they have children. Most tax benefits and allowances can be enjoyed by virtually every tax-paying citizen, and earnings are not taken into account. And they can get up to several hundred euros per month!
Costs of living in France
The average cost of living in France can vary depending on our lifestyle, diet and place of residence – in large cities and popular tourist destinations, it can be much more expensive than in the provinces. When you think about going to France, you need to be prepared for monthly expenses of approximately:
Food
We can do the cheapest shopping at popular discount stores such as Lidl, Auchan or Aldi. Products at local stores are usually more expensive. We will pay for basic food products around:
- milk 1liter – € 0.96
- baguette / bread – € 1.37
- eggs 12 pieces – € 2.66
- water 0.33liter – € 1.52
- chicken breasts 1kg – € 9.82
- apples 1kg – € 2.33
- tomatoes 1kg – € 2.37
The average monthly cost of food (cooking your own meals) is around € 200 – 300 per person.
A meal in a mid-range restaurant is around € 12.50. In more exclusive venues, prices start from € 20.
Apartment
Apartment rental prices vary greatly. It is definitely the most expensive to live in the center of large cities. Smaller apartments outside the city center burden the budget less. On average, you need to prepare for monthly expenses of the order of:
- studio apartment in the center – from € 450 to € 1200
- outside the center – from € 350 to € 850
- 3-room apartment in the center – from € 900 to € 2500
- outside the center – from € 700 to € 1500
Websites with offers for renting apartments in France:
Apart from the rent, you also need to take into account bills for electricity, water, waste disposal, etc. The approximate monthly costs for an 85m2 apartment are from € 90 to € 200. The prices of apartments for sale fluctuate a lot. Depending on the location and standard, the cost of 1 m2 is:
- in the center – from € 4,000 to € 10,000
- outside the center – from € 3,000 to € 7,500
Transport
Moving around in France is very convenient. The roads are in good condition and the motorway network is around 12,000 km in total (most are, unfortunately, toll)!
In large cities, residents can use the subway or buses. Of course, we cannot forget about the famous TGV high-speed train, which reaches an average speed of 300 km/h.
- Average price for 1 liter of fuel – € 1.40
- Average price for a ride 100 km on the highway – € 9
- Ticket in the second class on the TGV train from Paris – Lyon – from € 15 to even € 65
- Single ticket for a ride on the metro – approximately € 1.90
Interested in working in France? Just click on the button below to go to the current job offers in France!
Related entries:
Earnings in France – Minimal and average wages
Jobs in France for Kenyans – Possible types of employment
