France has long been a powerhouse in Europe, but it’s also gaining recognition as a top destination for remote work and global hiring. The country is home to an educated workforce, solid digital infrastructure, and a culture that values productivity, making it an easy favorite for companies looking to build remote teams.
With all that said, hiring in France isn’t challenge-free. The country’s labor laws are extensive, covering everything from employment contracts and termination procedures to employee benefits, such as paid leave and social security contributions. For companies new to the French market, navigating the process can be complex and time-consuming.
That’s where an Employer of Record (EOR) can help. Partnering with an EOR enables you to hire employees in France quickly and compliantly, eliminating the need to establish a local legal entity. It’s a faster, lower-risk way to employ French workers while keeping your global operations lean and compliant.
Ready to start building your remote team in France, but not sure which EOR is the best fit for your needs? In this guide, we’ll explore six of the top options for global remote hiring in France.
Key takeaways:
- France has a skilled, internationally minded workforce, making it an excellent choice for companies seeking workers based in a European time zone.
- Due to the complexity of French labor laws, many businesses work with an EOR to ensure compliance and streamline their hiring processes.
- Global companies hiring remote workers in France often partner with RemoFirst due to the platform’s ease of use and competitive pricing.
From Paris to Lyon: France Is a Top Choice for Remote Hiring
France remains a top choice for international hiring. Its time zone overlaps with the rest of Europe, as well as some American time zones, making it especially convenient for distributed teams.
The country is becoming increasingly business-friendly, with new programs that support startups, attract international talent, and streamline the hiring process for workers.
Thinking about hiring in France? Here are some of the top EORs that can help you get started.
RemoFirst
RemoFirst is a cost-effective solution for companies seeking to employ talent in France (and worldwide). Pricing starts at $199 per full-time employee per month, and $25 per month for contractors (with no hidden fees), making it one of the most affordable and transparent EOR providers on the market.
While RemoFirst is a favorite among startups and small businesses, it’s equally equipped to help mid-sized and large companies expand their global teams.
The company takes care of a wide range of HR and compliance tasks, including:
- Employment contract creation
- Onboarding new hires
- Equipment shipments
- Global payroll
- Background checks
- Assistance with visa and work permit applications
- Administering employee benefits, including equity and bonuses
Employers can help protect their most valuable asset, their employees, with private health insurance options via RemoHealth and RemoHealth Local. RemoFirst is also leveling up its offerings with ADP Workforce Now integrations and new, handy tools for managing international hires.
Unlike some higher-priced competitors, RemoFirst does not own its own entities in France. Instead, it partners with trusted local experts — who each typically bring at least 15-20 years of experience to the table. This way, you get local expertise without the extra costs.
Every client receives a dedicated account manager and 24/5 support, ensuring there’s always someone available to assist at each stage of the employee journey.
Want to see how easy it is to manage a global team with RemoFirst? Book a demo.
Pebl
Formerly known as Velocity Global, Pebl helps companies remain compliant while hiring internationally. They employ in-country specialists who know local labor laws and can guide businesses through the complexities of global employment.
In addition to standard EOR services, Pebl offers customized packages and can provide immigration support when needed. The platform integrates with major HR tools like HiBob, Workable, and Greenhouse, making it easier to manage teams and keep everything coordinated.
Pricing isn’t listed publicly, so companies need to request a quote. While Pebl doesn’t charge termination fees, their 30-day notice period for offboarding employees is something to keep in mind when planning your workforce strategy.
For a full rundown of what people like — and don’t like — about Pebl, check out their G2 profile.
Remote
Remote operates using an owned-entity model, which means it has legal entities in the countries where it provides services. This gives them more control over compliance, employment law, and intellectual property.
A standout feature is their IP Guard, which is designed for companies that prioritize IP security and ownership. It makes sure any inventions or IP created by remote employees are properly transferred first to Remote’s local entity and then to the client, helping avoid legal headaches.
The platform is also flexible on the tech side. With strong API capabilities, Payroll, EOR, and other HR features can plug right into the systems businesses are already using. Remote integrates with tools like Xero, Workday, and Zapier, making it easier to manage global teams.
However, Remote comes with a higher price tag. Employee plans start at $699 per person per month, while contractor rates begin at $29 per person per month, going up to $99 for the full Contractor Management Plus tier.
Users generally find the analytics and reporting tools useful, but some note they aren’t as customizable or detailed as they’d like, especially when managing multiple countries. Onboarding can also take longer than expected in certain regions.
For more info, check out how RemoFirst and Remote compare or take a look at Remote’s G2 reviews.
Papaya Global
Papaya Global offers a platform for managing international workforces, providing hiring and payroll services in over 160 countries. The company also caters to specialized industries such as oil and gas, tech, and iGaming, making it a strong option for businesses with unique workforce needs.
Beyond standard EOR services, Papaya Global provides detailed HR analytics, integrations with popular HR software, and a mobile app for easy employee management on the go. This makes it easier for companies to manage global teams and streamline HR workflows.
Papaya doesn’t list pricing publicly, so companies need to request a quote. Optional add-ons, such as Agent of Record and Workforce OS, are available for an additional fee, providing businesses with the flexibility to expand services as needed.
Learn more about how RemoFirst compares to Papaya Global or check out Papaya Global’s G2 reviews.
Oyster
Oyster goes beyond the basics of payroll, benefits, and legal compliance by offering perks designed to meet the needs of remote employees. These include local benefits tailored to each region and Oyster Academy, a free online learning hub built to support remote workers with professional development and skill building.
The platform is designed to scale, making it a solid choice for larger companies seeking to streamline their global HR operations. Oyster integrates with tools businesses already use for HR, accounting, payroll, and more, helping teams keep everything in one workflow and reducing the need to juggle multiple systems.
Oyster starts at $699 per person per month for employees and $29 per month per contractor, making it one of the pricier EOR options. Additional features, like visa sponsorship or premium benefits packages, can increase costs.
While the platform is generally robust, some users report that support can be slow, particularly for complex issues or in countries where Oyster doesn’t have its own entity. Onboarding may also take longer in those locations.
Overall, Oyster is a strong option for companies seeking to scale internationally while maintaining the engagement and support of remote employees. Learn more about how RemoFirst and Oyster compare, or check out Oyster’s G2 reviews.
Deel
Like Remote and Oyster, Deel owns legal entities in most of the countries it serves, letting companies hire internationally without relying on third-party intermediaries. This setup gives Deel more control over ensuring compliance with employment law and payroll, which can simplify global hiring for businesses.
The platform integrates with over 20 popular tools, including QuickBooks, Dropbox, and Slack, making it easy to fit Deel into existing workflows. Deel also offers flexible hiring options, supporting full-time employees, contractors, and contractor-of-record arrangements, so companies can scale their global teams in the way that works best for them.
Pricing starts at $599 per employee per month and $49 per contractor, although some services, such as offboarding, may come with additional fees. While the platform is robust, some users mention that it can be a bit tricky to navigate, and customer support may be slower during peak periods.
Overall, Deel is a strong choice for businesses seeking to expand internationally, offering flexible hiring options and a platform that integrates seamlessly with existing tools. For more insight, check out how RemoFirst stacks up against Deel, or read Deel’s G2 reviews.
Compliant and Cost-Effective Hiring in France
Navigating local employment laws, payroll, and mandatory benefits in France can get complicated quickly. That’s why companies expanding internationally turn to EORs to simplify global hiring.
RemoFirst makes it easy and cost-effective to build compliant remote teams. We handle everything — from onboarding and employment contracts to global payroll, taxes, and benefits — so you can focus on growing your business.
And it’s not just France we support. With coverage in 185+ countries, RemoFirst can help wherever your next hire takes you.
Schedule a demo to learn more.
