France has become one of Europe’s most attractive markets for remote hiring. From software engineers and designers to marketers and creative professionals, French talent is known for strong technical skills, work quality, and long-term reliability.
For freelancers, remote agencies, SaaS founders, and online businesses, expanding a team into France can unlock higher-value clients and more stable revenue. At the same time, France is also known for having some of the strictest labor regulations in Europe.
Hiring without the right structure can quickly turn into a legal and financial risk. This is where Employer of Record services come into play. They allow businesses to hire legally in France without setting up a local company, while staying compliant with French employment laws.
What Is an Employer of Record and Why Does It Matter in France?
An Employer of Record, often called an EOR, is a third-party organization that becomes the legal employer of your team members in a specific country. In this case, the EOR employs your France-based workers on your behalf, while you manage their daily tasks and performance.
For remote teams expanding into France, an EOR handles employment contracts, payroll, taxes, social contributions, benefits, and compliance with the Code du Travail. This structure is especially useful for businesses hiring full-time remote staff rather than short-term freelancers.
Many online businesses start by working with French professionals through platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Once the relationship becomes long-term, switching to a compliant employment model becomes necessary. An EOR helps bridge that gap without forcing you to open a French entity.
Why Expanding a Remote Team to France Is Legally Complex?
France has one of the most employee-protective labor systems in Europe. While this benefits workers, it creates challenges for foreign businesses hiring remotely.
Some of the most common legal hurdles include:
- The legally mandated 35-hour work week
- Strong employee protections and benefits
- Detailed termination and notice requirements
- High social security and payroll contributions
Even small compliance mistakes can result in fines, disputes, or delayed payments. For remote-first businesses that operate online and across borders, managing this complexity internally is rarely practical.
Employer of Record services solve this by operating through local French entities. They issue compliant contracts in French, process payroll in euros, manage statutory benefits, and ensure that every employment step follows local law. This allows you to hire confidently in cities like Paris, Lyon, or Marseille without slowing down your growth.
Employer of Record Options for Remote Teams Hiring in France
Below are five established Employer of Record providers that support hiring in France. The order and structure are preserved while the focus is adjusted toward remote team expansion and long-term hiring.
Borderless AI
Borderless AI offers an Employer of Record solution designed for companies scaling internationally with remote teams. The platform combines automation with a global employment infrastructure to support hiring across more than 170 countries, including France.
For remote agencies and digital businesses expanding into France, Borderless AI removes the burden of contracts, payroll, and compliance so founders can focus on delivery and revenue growth.
Why Choose Borderless AI for Hiring in France?
Borderless AI supports French hiring with contracts aligned to local labor law and payroll processing that is faster than most industry standards. Its structure is suitable for businesses that want speed, transparency, and strong compliance without managing local vendors.
Key features include:
- HRGPT support for guidance on French labor regulations
- Contract generation aligned with the Code du Travail
- Payroll processing is completed in three to five days
- No upfront salary deposit requirements
- Full entity ownership for stronger compliance control
- Support team based in North America with payments expertise
Pricing: $579 per employee per month
Country coverage: 170 plus countries
G2 rating: 4.9 out of 5
Free trial: Demo available
Best for: Remote agencies, tech startups, and digital businesses hiring in France
Legal and compliance
Borderless AI operates with in-house legal teams and full entity ownership, reducing reliance on third parties and lowering compliance risk.
Customer support
Live chat and email support are provided by a North America-based team experienced in global payments and compliance.
EOR France
EOR France focuses exclusively on the French market. Unlike global platforms, this provider specializes in local employment law and France-specific hiring processes.
Why Choose EOR France for Hiring in France?
For companies that value deep local expertise over global reach, EOR France offers hands-on knowledge of French labor regulations and employment practices.
Key features include:
- Employer of Record services dedicated only to France
- Hiring workflows tailored to French regulations
- Local compliance-focused operations
- Strong expertise in the Code du Travail
Pricing: Custom pricing
Country coverage: France only
G2 rating: Not available
Free trial: No
Best for: Businesses that need precise local compliance in France
Legal and compliance
EOR France is managed by professionals with direct experience in French labor law, social security rules, and employment contracts.
Customer support
Support is provided by a France-based team via phone and email, offering direct local guidance.
Skuad
Skuad provides Employer of Record services across more than 160 countries, with a strong focus on payroll, contracts, and benefits management.
Why Choose Skuad for Hiring in France
Skuad is often chosen by budget-conscious businesses that want predictable pricing while maintaining compliance. It is suitable for smaller remote teams hiring one or two French employees.
Key features include:
- Payroll and benefits administration
- Contract creation and management
- In-house legal advisory support
- Competitive pricing for international hiring
Pricing: $199 per employee per month
Country coverage: 160 plus countries
G2 rating: Not available
Free trial: Demo available
Best for: Small agencies and online businesses with limited hiring budgets
Legal and compliance
Skuad’s internal legal advisors support compliance with French employment contracts and regulations.
Customer support
Global support teams assist across time zones, helping companies manage international employment smoothly.
Rippling
Rippling combines HR and IT management in a single platform while offering Employer of Record services in more than 185 countries.
Why Choose Rippling for Hiring in France?
Rippling is well-suited for companies managing both people and systems. It allows remote teams to handle employment, compliance, and IT access from one interface.
Key features include:
- Unified HR and IT management
- Compliance monitoring for French labor law
- Centralized workforce administration
- Employee onboarding with technology provisioning
Pricing: $500 per employee per month
Country coverage: 185 plus countries
G2 rating: Not available
Free trial: Demo available
Best for: Scaling remote teams with structured HR and IT needs
Legal and compliance
Rippling’s compliance team monitors changes in French labor and tax regulations to keep employment aligned with local law.
Customer support
Live and email support is available for both HR and IT-related issues.
Velocity Global
Velocity Global offers Employer of Record services designed for companies expanding across multiple regions with consistent compliance standards.
Why Choose Velocity Global for Hiring in France
Velocity Global is a strong option for established businesses that see France as part of a broader international hiring strategy rather than a single market.
Key features include:
- Global employment infrastructure
- Local legal expertise in France
- Centralized compliance management
- Support teams across regions
Pricing: Custom pricing, typically starting around $500 per employee
Country coverage: 185 plus countries
G2 rating: Not available
Free trial: Demo available
Best for: Companies scaling remote teams across multiple countries
Legal and compliance
Local legal experts ensure French employment contracts and payroll comply with national regulations.
Customer support
Global teams provide support across time zones with experience in international employment.
How to Choose the Right EOR for Your Remote Team in France?
Choosing an Employer of Record depends on how you plan to scale and how long you intend to hire in France.
Understand your compliance needs
If France is your main focus, a local specialist may be more suitable. If you plan to hire across multiple countries, a global provider offers consistency.
Compare total costs
Look beyond base pricing. Consider deposits, hidden fees, payroll timelines, and benefit costs.
Review technology and workflows
Remote teams benefit from platforms that simplify payroll, contracts, and reporting without adding complexity.
Check entity ownership
Providers with direct entity ownership usually offer better compliance control and faster issue resolution.
Assess support quality
Reliable support matters when hiring across borders. Look for teams that understand both French regulations and remote business models.
Conclusion
Expanding your remote team into France offers access to skilled professionals and long-term growth opportunities. However, French labor laws make direct hiring complex for online businesses and remote agencies.
Employer of Record services provide a practical solution by handling contracts, payroll, benefits, and compliance on your behalf. Whether you are transitioning from freelance platforms or building a dedicated remote team, the right EOR partner allows you to scale confidently in France while staying compliant and focused on growth.
