https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from France in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed During a major campaign speech over the weekend, France's Marine Le Pen reiterated her long-standing policy for 'French preference' - so what would this actually mean for the daily lives of people who are legally resident in France but not French citizens? https://www.thelocal.fr/20260914/what-would-le-pens-french-preference-policy-mean-for-foreigners-in-france Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:22:43 +0200 what-would-le-pens-french-preference-policy-mean-for-foreigners-in-france Being freelance, self-employed or operating as a sole trader in France can be complicated, with complex paperwork and a decent chunk of regulations to follow - but there are also plenty of free sources of help and advice out there. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260908/self-employed-in-france-heres-where-to-get-help Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:32:28 +0200 self-employed-in-france-heres-where-to-get-help If you work in France under the 'micro-entrepreneur' (formerly auto entrepreneur) status, here's what you need to know about the new rules on electronic billing that come into effect from September 1st. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260820/explained-electronic-billing-for-micro-entrepreneurs-in-france Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:10:58 +0200 explained-electronic-billing-for-micro-entrepreneurs-in-france It's now mandatory for all businesses and freelancers in France to be registered with one of the platforms approved and certified by the government for electronic billing - here's how to stay compliant without paying over the odds. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260902/electronic-billing-free-services-for-freelancers-and-small-businesses Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:04:24 +0200 electronic-billing-free-services-for-freelancers-and-small-businesses If you are a freelancer, sole trader, contractor or small business owner in France you will know about ‘facturation électronique’ rules that come into effect from September 1st - here's what you need to do to prepare for it. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260820/electronic-billing-what-businesses-and-freelancers-in-france-need-to-do-by-september Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:59:11 +0200 electronic-billing-what-businesses-and-freelancers-in-france-need-to-do-by-september It’s sometimes the butt of work-related jokes, but if you have a dispute with your employers in France, you might be glad you have recourse to the Conseil de prud’hommes. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260901/explained-frances-conseil-de-prudhommes Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:15:45 +0200 explained-frances-conseil-de-prudhommes As France heads back to work, many people will already be planning their next holiday. From school holidays to public holidays, here's how to maximise your time off. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260819/how-to-plan-your-holidays-and-ponts-in-france-in-2026-27 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:37:10 +0200 how-to-plan-your-holidays-and-ponts-in-france-in-2026-27 France has a bit of a reputation as a workers' paradise and while that is an exaggeration, there are still plenty of benefits that employees are entitled to. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200604/benefits-great-things-your-french-boss-owes-you Thu, 04 Jun 2020 12:59:49 +0200 benefits-great-things-your-french-boss-owes-you There is a common belief that French people take off the entire month of August, much to the envy of workers in other countries. But is that truly the case? https://www.thelocal.fr/20240730/factcheck-do-french-people-really-take-off-the-entire-month-of-august Tue, 30 Jul 2024 16:51:02 +0200 factcheck-do-french-people-really-take-off-the-entire-month-of-august If you're planning on combining a holiday in France with a couple of days of work this summer, you may need to check whether your company allows this. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260720/can-your-boss-ban-you-from-working-remotely-from-france Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:29:44 +0200 can-your-boss-ban-you-from-working-remotely-from-france France's 'right to disconnect' is often cited as an example of the country's strict workplace culture - but in reality the law is more complicated than it first appears. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230524/right-to-disconnect-is-it-illegal-for-french-bosses-to-contact-workers-out-of-hours Wed, 24 May 2023 16:15:29 +0200 right-to-disconnect-is-it-illegal-for-french-bosses-to-contact-workers-out-of-hours The issue of foreigners working remotely in France while on a 'visitor' visa has long been a confusing grey area - but now the French government has clarified to parliament, and to The Local, who can work on this status. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260625/digital-nomads-french-government-clarifies-rules-on-remote-working Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:41:36 +0200 digital-nomads-french-government-clarifies-rules-on-remote-working Whether you are running a tourism business or simply letting out a French second home on an occasional basis, there are important legal and VAT changes to know about. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250207/explained-new-laws-on-tourism-rentals-in-france Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:20:23 +0100 explained-new-laws-on-tourism-rentals-in-france