What are the advantages of secondment?
People sent to France by firms based outside of France can get “secondment” status. To do so, the worker must remain on the foreign firm’s list of employees and must continue to be covered by the home country’s social security system, based on the international agreements that bind that country to France. There is no subordinate relationship with the French host firm, and one cannot occupy a management position. He or she must maintain a subordinate relationship with his or her firm of origin. The French host firm “only” benefits from one’s know-how and services. A seconded worker cannot, generally speaking, remain in France for more than 18 months. There are exceptions, based on bilateral agreements that France has signed with partner countries. For example, within the European Union, the maximum duration is five years. Seconded workers must get a work permit and a “temporary worker” residence permit. This residence permit is renewable as long as the service provision continues.
