Can you work in tech in France without speaking French? Yes. Many engineering teams in France work in English, and every job on this board is checked for that. You will still meet French outside work, and it helps your career over time. This guide shows how to find English-speaking roles, what the visa rules say about language, and where French starts to matter.
The short answer
- No French required jobs exist across software engineering, data and machine learning. Every job on our English-speaking jobs page passes our language check.
- The Talent work permit has no French test. The conditions on Service-Public are about your diploma, contract and salary (Service-Public).
- French matters later: for daily admin, for some promotions, and for a long-term resident card after several years.
Where the English-speaking jobs are
By city
Our city pages only show jobs that pass our language checks:
- English-speaking tech jobs in Paris
- English-speaking tech jobs in Lyon
- English-speaking tech jobs in Toulouse
- Remote jobs open to people living in France
By type of employer
Start with employers whose teams are hired from several countries: startups and scale-ups, French offices of international tech companies, and AI and research labs. Our guide to companies in France that hire English speakers lists the ones we have checked.
By role
Roles where you mostly work with code and with other engineers are the easiest to do in English: backend, frontend, mobile, data, machine learning, DevOps and platform engineering. Roles that face French customers or French public bodies, such as sales engineering, support or some consulting jobs, more often need French.
Search by technology, for example Python jobs, TypeScript jobs or Go jobs.
How to read a French job ad
A job ad in English doesn’t always mean an English-speaking team. Read the requirements.
Good signs:
- “No French required”, “English is our working language” or “French is a plus”.
- An international team, relocation help or visa support.
- The whole ad, including the requirements, is in English.
Warning signs:
- “Fluent French”, “French (native or C1)”, français courant, maîtrise du français or français impératif.
- The ad is in French with only the title in English.
- The role involves French clients, French-language documentation or public-sector projects.
“French is a plus” usually means the team works in English but would like you to learn. We treat it as English-speaking. “Fluent French required” is not listed as English-only on this board.
Your CV and applications
- Write your CV in English for English-speaking roles. Keep it to one or two pages.
- State your right to work clearly near the top: “EU citizen”, “Holds French Talent permit” or “Requires visa sponsorship”. Recruiters look for this first.
- Show salary expectations in euros, gross per year. That’s how French offers are quoted. Our salary guide has official benchmarks from Apec.
- Mention your French honestly. “French: beginner (A1), taking lessons” is better than leaving it out. It shows you plan to settle.
- Link to your work. GitHub, a portfolio or published writing all help when you apply from abroad.
Visas and language
If you need a permit, most tech hires use a Talent permit (qualified employee, employee of an innovative company or EU Blue Card):
- No French test is listed among the conditions for these routes (Service-Public).
- No integration contract. Talent cardholders don’t sign the Republican Integration Contract (CIR), which includes French classes for other newcomers (Service-Public).
- The employer doesn’t need a work authorisation for Talent permits (Service-Public).
See the full steps in our French Tech Visa and Talent permit guide, and filter for visa sponsorship jobs or jobs you can apply for from abroad.
When French becomes a legal requirement
Since 1 January 2026, most non-EU nationals applying for a first resident card (the long-term card) must prove French at level B1. This includes Talent and EU Blue Card holders who apply for an EU long-term resident card after more than 5 years. Proof is a recognised diploma or one of two tests, the TCF or TEF (Service-Public).
The same page says a first multi-year card requires level A2 for some categories, but permits not subject to the CIR, such as Talent cards, are not concerned by that A2 requirement.
If you plan to stay in France long term, start learning French early. B1 takes time.
Living in France without French
Work may be in English, but daily life mostly isn’t:
- Admin is in French: permits, tax, health insurance and your lease. The official sites have some English pages, but not all. Keep a translation app handy, and ask HR for help in your first months.
- Doctors, banks and landlords vary. Some will switch to English, many won’t. Don’t count on it.
- Social life is easier with some French, even basic greetings and small talk.
Our relocation checklist covers each admin step with links to the official pages.
Learning French while you work
- Ask your employer. Some companies pay for French lessons. Ask during the offer stage.
- Aim for a level. The CEFR levels (A1 to C2) are used everywhere in France. A2 lets you handle simple daily tasks; B1 is the level required for a first resident card.
- Take a recognised test when you’re ready. The TCF and TEF are the tests accepted for residence purposes (Service-Public).
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a tech job in Paris if I only speak English?
Yes, especially in roles where you mostly work with code and other engineers, such as backend, frontend, data or DevOps. Our Paris page only shows jobs that pass our language checks. Roles that face French customers or public bodies, such as sales engineering or support, more often need French, so read each ad’s requirements.
Is French required for a French work permit?
Not for the Talent permit most tech hires use. Its conditions on Service-Public are about your diploma, contract and salary, with no French test. Talent cardholders also don’t sign the Republican Integration Contract (CIR), which includes French classes for other newcomers, and the A2 requirement for some first multi-year cards doesn’t apply to them.
What level of French do I need to stay in France long term?
Since 1 January 2026, most non-EU nationals applying for a first resident card must prove French at level B1. This includes Talent and EU Blue Card holders applying for an EU long-term resident card after more than 5 years. You prove it with a recognised diploma or one of two tests, the TCF or TEF.
Should I mention my French level on my CV?
Yes, and be honest. A line such as “French: beginner (A1), taking lessons” is better than leaving it out, because it shows you plan to settle. Also state your right to work near the top, for example “Holds French Talent permit” or “Requires visa sponsorship”, because recruiters look for this first.
Will my employer pay for French lessons?
Some companies do, so ask during the offer stage. Aim for a CEFR level: A2 lets you handle simple daily tasks, and B1 is the level required for a first resident card. When you’re ready, the TCF and TEF are the tests accepted for residence purposes. B1 takes time, so start early.
Can I manage daily life in France without French?
You can, but it’s harder. Permits, tax, health insurance and your lease are in French, and the official sites have only some English pages. Some doctors, banks and landlords will switch to English, but many won’t. Keep a translation app handy, ask HR for help in your first months and learn basic greetings.
Related guides and jobs
- Companies in France that hire English speakers
- Companies that sponsor visas in France
- Cost of living in Paris for tech workers
- Browse all English-speaking jobs in France
Language rules for residence permits changed in 2026. Always check the official pages linked above.