An internship in France is a strong choice for students from Germany, not least because of the close ties between German and French universities. As an EU citizen you do not need a visa. What remains open are the French rules on the internship agreement, pay and health insurance, and that is what this guide covers.
Short answer: For an internship in France you do not need a visa as an EU citizen. French internships are governed by a three-party agreement (convention de stage). From two consecutive months onward, an internship allowance (gratification) is required. For 2026, one calculation based on the social security hourly ceiling gives 4.50 euros per hour. Erasmus+ lists 750 euros per month for France (country group 1), made up of a 600 euro base rate plus a 150 euro surcharge. Stand: October 2026.
The key points at a glance
- As an EU citizen you do not need a visa for France.
- The convention de stage, the three-party internship agreement, should be signed before you leave.
- The European Health Insurance Card is called CEAM in France and covers medically necessary treatment.
- Erasmus+ pays 750 euros per month for France (country group 1): a 600 euro base rate plus a 150 euro internship surcharge (HAWK, project year 2026, and University of Marburg, 2026/27).
- Repatriation to Germany is not covered by the card.
Do I need a visa or registration for France?
You do not need a visa as an EU citizen. Registering locally is still sensible for a longer stay, because landlords, banks and phone providers often ask for proof of residence. No official registration requirement for EU citizens in France is documented in the primary French sources reviewed, so ask at the mairie (town hall). The German Federal Foreign Office publishes current entry and residence information, and the local council (mairie) explains the administrative procedures on site.
| Step | What needs to be clarified | Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| Internship agreement | Three-party convention de stage, signed by the university, the host organisation and you | University and host organisation |
| Allowance | Required from two consecutive months, 4.50 euros per hour for 2026 (15 percent of the hourly ceiling), according to two specialist sources | Host organisation, information from your university |
| Proof of residence | For a longer stay, especially for rent and a bank account | Local council (mairie) |
| Health protection | CEAM card and written confirmation from your health insurer | Health insurer |
Which health insurance applies during an internship in France?
In France the European Health Insurance Card is known in everyday life as the CEAM. It entitles you to benefits in kind, that is, to necessary treatment under the terms of the French system. Under section 13(4) SGB V, statutory health insured persons may also seek treatment in EU countries through cost reimbursement, provided no flat-rate allowance applies. The card does not cover repatriation, so you need supplementary insurance for that. Our article on the EHIC abroad, Health insurance for students in the EU: EHIC and more, gives an overview of the gaps.
If your internship is compulsory and unpaid, you remain compulsorily insured as an intern under section 5(1) no. 10 SGB V until the activity ends or until you turn 30 (section 190(10) SGB V). If you receive an allowance, ask your health insurer in writing whether your membership stays in Germany, because French law may then apply.
How much funding is there for France?
Erasmus+ calculates the funding per 30 days. The HAWK call for project year 2026 places France in country group 1 (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria and Sweden) with 750 euros per month including the 150 euro surcharge. The University of Marburg lists a 600 euro base rate for group 1 for 2026/27, so for an internship that also comes to 750 euros. Because each university sets its own rates and maximum duration, have your International Office confirm the classification and the funding period before you plan with figures. The background on financing is explained in our guide Funding Study Abroad: BAföG, Erasmus and Scholarships.
Assumption: internship of two months, group 1 with 750 euros per month. Calculation: 2 × 750 euros = 1,500 euros. The payment often arrives only after your stay, because the university needs to receive the confirmation of your stay first.
| Programme | Monthly rate | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Erasmus+ traineeship, France (country group 1) | 750 euros (600 euros plus 150 euros surcharge) | Project year 2026, HAWK; 2026/27, University of Marburg; retrieved October 2026 |
| PROMOS of the DAAD | Not applicable, because France is in Europe | University of Marburg page, undated |
Does an internship in France have to be paid?
A compulsory internship is exempt from the German statutory minimum wage under section 22 MiLoG. However, French law applies to an internship in France, and it requires an allowance once the internship exceeds two consecutive months (44 days or 308 hours). A French social security overview gives 4.50 euros per hour as the minimum amount for 2026, calculated as 15 percent of the social security hourly ceiling of 30 euros (decree of 22 December 2025). A second specialist source (Éditions Tissot, page dated 21 October 2026) also gives the amount of 4.50 euros and the rate of 15 percent. The 12.5 percent that one source mentions in one place does not fit (12.5 percent of 30 euros would be 3.75 euros) and is not used here. The binding answer comes from the French state. The amount must be stated explicitly in the convention de stage, so confirm it with the host organisation and your university before you sign.
Which documents do you need?
- Convention de stage, signed by all three parties
- Learning agreement from your university
- CEAM card and written confirmation from your health insurer
- Certificate of enrolment, as proof of your student status
Frequently asked questions
Is a verbal internship offer enough?
No. For internships linked to a university, a convention de stage is standard in France and is needed as proof. Without it you lack evidence for insurance, the allowance and recognition by your university. Ask to see the contract before you leave.
Is the CEAM the same as the EHIC?
In practice, yes. In France the card is called the CEAM, and the card meant is the European Health Insurance Card. It does not replace supplementary insurance for repatriation or for services beyond necessary treatment.
Do I have to register in France?
As an EU citizen you do not need permission for this. For longer rental contracts, bank accounts and mobile phone contracts, providers often ask for proof of residence. The mairie on site or the International Office of your university can advise you.
When do I receive the Erasmus money?
Many universities pay in instalments, and the first instalment often waits for the confirmation of your stay. Plan for pre-financing so that you can cover rent and living costs in the first weeks.
What to do now
- Clarify with your university whether your internship is eligible for funding and which rate applies to France.
- Ask for the convention de stage and check the duration, the allowance and the working hours.
- Ask your health insurer for a written statement on the protection and membership.
- Apply for the CEAM card through your health insurer and plan supplementary insurance for repatriation.
- Clarify how you will finance the period until the first payment.
Related guides
- Internship Abroad in Spain: Visa, Insurance and Funding
- Private Health Insurance for Internships: What You Need to Know
- Student Internship: Minimum Wage and Social Insurance
- Planning an Exchange Semester: Erasmus and Funding
Sources: Social Code Book V, section 5 (as of October 2026), SGB V, section 13 cost reimbursement (as of October 2026), SGB V, section 190 (as of October 2026), Minimum Wage Act, section 22 (as of October 2026), HAWK, Erasmus+ internship monthly rates, project year 2026, Legisocial, internship allowance 2026 (secondary source, published 30 December 2025), Éditions Tissot, internship allowance 2026 (page dated 21 October 2026), University of Marburg, Erasmus+ funding rates 2026/27 (undated), National Agency at the DAAD, Erasmus+ internship abroad (retrieved October 2026).
Stand: October 2026. This guide is information, not individual advice.
