Student job Bordeaux: your right to work (EU vs non-EU), the hours cap, where to find part-time work and how to get paid at least the minimum wage.
Yes, you can work while studying in Bordeaux. If you're a national of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you have free access to the labour market. If you're a non-EU student with a "student" residence permit (validated VLS-TS or carte de séjour — residence card), you can work up to an hours cap set at national level, without a separate work authorisation. This guide explains your right to work, the number of hours allowed, where to find a part-time student job in Bordeaux (Crous, university, weekends, no experience, summer and grape harvest) and how to get paid properly.
Do you have the right to work as an international student in France?
That's the first thing to settle, and it depends on your nationality. Here are the two main cases.
| Your situation | Right to work | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA / Swiss student | Free access to the labour market | You need neither a residence permit nor a work authorisation to take salaried work. |
| Non-EU student ("student" residence permit, validated VLS-TS) | Allowed, as a secondary activity | You can work without a separate work authorisation, up to an annual hours cap (see below). |
Careful: some nationalities fall under specific rules. Algerian students, for instance, are subject to particular rules (a prior work authorisation is still required, with a different cap). Always check your exact situation on the official source: Can a non-European student work in France? — service-public.gouv.fr and Can a European student work in France?.
How many hours can an international student work?
For non-EU students holding a "student" residence permit, the law sets salaried work as a secondary activity up to 60% of the legal annual working time, i.e. 964 hours per year.
A few essentials to keep in mind:
- No work authorisation to apply for as long as you stay within this limit: the prior work authorisation has been abolished for this case.
- The count runs over a rolling 12 months from the start date of your residence permit (not the calendar year, January–December).
- Your employer must file a nominative declaration (déclaration nominative) with the préfecture at least 2 working days before your contract starts.
- Exceeding the limit can jeopardise the renewal of your residence permit. Stay within the rules.
These rules can change, and special cases exist (apprenticeships, internships under an agreement, specific nationalities). Always check the current wording on service-public.gouv.fr and etudiant.gouv.fr before signing.
Where to find a part-time student job in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a student and tourist city: opportunities are plentiful, especially in hospitality, events and services. Here's where to look first.
| Where to look | Type of jobs | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Jobaviz (CROUS jobs platform) | Student jobs compatible with your studies, across France | Free, run by the CROUS network. The number-one move for a student. |
| Your university / school | Tutoring, campus jobs, student contracts | Ask at the student life office or the jobs desk. |
| Hospitality, cafés, events | Waiting, kitchen porter, runner, one-off shifts | High demand in Bordeaux, especially evenings and weekends. |
| Babysitting, private tutoring | Childcare, one-to-one lessons | Flexible, easy to fit around your timetable. |
| Shops, retail | Till, shelf-stacking, seasonal | Often part-time contracts suited to students. |
A student job is also a great way to practise your French and meet people. Put together a short, clear CV in French, tailored to the role you're after.
Jobs at the Crous and the University of Bordeaux
Working on campus is the easiest option to fit around your classes.
- The Crous de Bordeaux-Aquitaine hires students all year round in its university restaurants (serving, dishwashing, kitchen help), in summer in its residences (reception, check-ins and check-outs), and as student referents in the residences. Hours are discussed with you to fit your studies; restaurant jobs require weekday availability (crous-bordeaux.fr, French). Offers are also on Jobaviz.
- The University of Bordeaux offers student contracts (contrats étudiants), reserved for its students enrolled in initial training: welcoming students at the start of the year, supervising library reading rooms, tutoring, note-taking, IT support (u-bordeaux.fr, French). Offers are published on the university intranet. If you are an exchange student, ask your international relations office whether you can apply.
Student job with no experience in Bordeaux
Many student jobs require no experience: what counts is your availability and motivation.
- Jobs open to beginners: serving and dishwashing in restaurants, shelf-stacking and checkout, stocktaking, event hosting, babysitting, leaflet distribution.
- A one-page CV, in French, with your free slots clearly shown (evenings, weekends, holidays). The languages you speak are an asset in a tourist city, and a job quickly improves your French.
- Applying in person works well in cafés, restaurants and shops in the city centre: drop by outside rush hours and ask to speak to the manager.
- Info Jeunes Nouvelle-Aquitaine publishes job offers for young people and runs a summer jobs fair in Bordeaux (infojeunes-na.fr, French).
Weekend or part-time student jobs
Weekend and part-time jobs are the easiest to combine with your studies.
- Weekend contracts are mostly found in supermarkets, restaurants and events. In restaurants, you'll also hear about extras: short assignments, often in the evening or at weekends.
- The 24-hour rule: a part-time contract normally covers at least 24 hours a week. If you are under 26 and still studying, you can ask in writing for fewer hours, compatible with your classes; the employer does not have to accept (service-public.gouv.fr).
- Non-EU students: weekend hours count towards your annual cap of 964 hours, like any other hours.
Summer jobs and grape harvest around Bordeaux
In summer, tourism and the vineyards hire in large numbers.
- Summer jobs: restaurants, hotels, leisure and retail, in Bordeaux and on the coast. Recruitment starts early: the Info Jeunes summer jobs fair takes place in spring.
- Grape harvest (vendanges): Bordeaux vineyards hire pickers at the end of summer and the start of autumn. The harvest contract (contrat vendanges) lasts one month at most; you can chain several, up to 2 months in any 12-month period (French Rural Code, articles L718-4 to L718-6). Expect physical outdoor work that starts early in the morning.
How to get paid properly
A few simple rules to avoid nasty surprises:
- Minimum wage: you must be paid at least the SMIC (the legal minimum wage). Don't fix a figure in your head: the hourly SMIC rate is revised regularly — check the rate in force on service-public.gouv.fr.
- A written contract: always insist on an employment contract. It protects you and proves your situation.
- A French bank account to receive your wages: essential. We explain how to open a French student bank account.
- Beware of offers that seem too good: a "job" paid cash with no contract, or one that asks you for money upfront, is a red flag. See our anti-scam tips to spot the traps.
FAQ — Student job in Bordeaux
Can an international student work in France? Yes. EU/EEA/Swiss students have free access to the labour market. Non-EU students with a "student" residence permit can work as a secondary activity, without a separate authorisation, up to the annual hours cap. Check your situation on service-public.gouv.fr.
How many hours can a non-EU student work per year? Up to 60% of the legal annual working time, i.e. 964 hours per year, counted over a rolling 12 months from your residence permit date. Confirm the current rule on service-public.gouv.fr, as special cases exist.
Do I need a work authorisation for a student job? For most non-EU students, no: the prior work authorisation has been abolished within the 964-hour limit. Some nationalities (such as Algeria) fall under specific rules — check your case.
Where can I find a student job in Bordeaux? Start with Jobaviz, the CROUS platform. Also look at your university's offers, hospitality, events, babysitting and tutoring. Bordeaux offers plenty of opportunities, especially in season.
How much will I be paid? At least the SMIC, the legal minimum wage. Its hourly rate changes regularly: check the rate in force on service-public.gouv.fr and always insist on a written contract.
How do I find a student job with no experience in Bordeaux? Target restaurants, retail, stocktaking, events or babysitting, which hire beginners. Prepare a one-page CV in French with your availability, drop it off in person at shops in the city centre, and check the offers from the Crous, Jobaviz and Info Jeunes.
Can I have a student job only at weekends? Yes: supermarkets, restaurants and events offer weekend contracts or extras. If you are under 26 and studying, you can ask in writing to work fewer than 24 hours a week; the employer can refuse.
Can an international student work in the grape harvest? Yes, if they have the right to work in France: freely for EU students, within the 964-hour annual cap for non-EU students. A harvest contract lasts one month at most, and 2 months in total over 12 months.
A student job fits into a bigger picture: managing your student budget in Bordeaux well, knowing how to get around and eat cheaply. Follow our Bordeaux settling-in guide step by step and explore the student services that make life easier. Before you look for a job, you need a stable base: find your student accommodation in Bordeaux on Studroof.
This article is informational and does not replace official sources. International students' right to work, the hours cap and the SMIC amount change over time: always check the current information on service-public.gouv.fr and etudiant.gouv.fr. Last updated: September 2026.