Revealed: The French job sectors recruiting in 2025
Every year, France publishes its list of sectors with a labour shortage, or
métiers en tension
. For 2025, the full list with over 80 different jobs, with a breakdown for each of France's 13 mainland regions (including Corsica) is on the
Journal Public website.
For most of France, the list was roughly the same from region to region, with several locations facing shortages in healthcare workers (namely nurses and home-help aides), as well as a greater need for people in the hospitality and construction industries. However, there are some variations.
A recent law change means that if an undocumented immigrant can prove they have worked in one of these industries for 12 months of the last two years (in addition to three years total in France), then they can be granted a residency and work permit for France.
For most people, however, it's just a useful guide to the industries that need workers and where it will likely be easier to get a job.
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Explained: How to get a visa if you want to move to France for work
That said, you will want to verify whether or not you can transfer your qualifications.
Here is a shortened breakdown of the fields struggling to recruit;
Paris and greater Paris region
Hospitality and restaurants -
The Paris region is seeking restaurant cooks (
Cuisiniers
). This is slightly different from
'chef cuisiniers'
(who have a greater level of training). They are also seeking hotel workers. It is worth noting that the Paris region did not list a shortage for servers.
Engineers
- Paris and its surrounding départements are seeking several types of engineers, from building and civil engineers, site supervisors, and site managers to IT maintenance and admin engineers, as well as engineers and managers in design, research and development.
Tradespeople
- The capital region is seeking boilermakers (
Chaudronniers
), sheet metal workers (
tôliers
)
,
tracers (traceurs), locksmiths (
serruriers
), metalworkers (
métalliers
), blacksmiths (
forgerons
), pipefitters (
tuyauteurs
) and roofers (
couvreurs
). Be aware that several of these are 'regulated professions' which require French qualifications.
Technicians and maintenance workers
- All manner of technicians, covering sectors such as accounting and financial services, transport and tourism, as well as building and public works. Paris is also seeking electrical technicians.
Construction
- Builders and painters are needed, as well as electricians and carpenters, plus unskilled construction workers.
Factory work
- For example, Paris is seeking food processing workers.
Gardening
- The city and surrounding suburbs is seeking gardeners and horticulturists, with Paris City Hall among those recruiting.
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French regions
Many of the positions are similar to the ones listed above, with nurses, nursing assistants, and construction workers needed across the country. However, some regions have specific requirements based on their industry.
Servers
- Most French regions are seeking waiters/servers for their restaurants, with the exception of Paris.
Butchers
- Butchers are needed in multiple French regions, such as Burgundy, Grand Est, Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur (PACA).
Chefs
- Several French départements are not only looking for restaurant cooks, but they are also looking for chefs. These include: Auvergne, Grand Est, Hauts-de-France, Normandy, Nouvelle Aquitaine, Occitanie and PACA.
Farmers, winegrowers and arborists
- In need across most of France.
Short-haul drivers and delivery drivers
- Needed in Grand Est.
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Lumberjacks, salaried foresters and forestry agents
- Needed in Hauts de France.
Fishermen and salaried 'aquaculturists' -
Needed in Normandy and Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Researchers (outside of industry and higher education)
- Needed in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Athletes and sports instructors
- Listed as "Sportifs et animateurs sportifs" in French. Needed in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
This is a shortened version of the list. You can find the full breakdown
here
.
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