Do UK students need a visa for an internship in Paris?

Yes. Since Brexit, UK nationals are third-country citizens in France. For internships lasting more than 90 days, you need a Long Stay Visa for Internship (Visa de long sejour valant titre de sejour — VLS-TS). This is applied for at the French Consulate in the UK. For internships under 90 days, no visa is required under the 90/180-day Schengen rule, but you cannot be paid. Most structured internships run three to six months and require the long-stay visa.

How much does it cost to live in Paris as an intern?

Expect to spend GBP 1,400 to GBP 2,200 per month in Paris including rent, food, transport and leisure. A shared room in a flatshare (colocation) costs EUR 750 to EUR 1,300 depending on arrondissement. The Navigo Decouverte monthly transport pass costs EUR 86. Paris is expensive but manageable on a paid internship salary of EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,500 per month.

Are internships in Paris paid?

Most internships in France longer than two months come with a mandatory gratification (stipend) of at least EUR 4.35 per hour, set by French law. For a full-time (35-hour week) internship, this translates to approximately EUR 665 per month as a minimum. Many large companies and agencies pay EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,500. Some highly competitive internships at top fashion houses or consultancies are paid above EUR 2,000.

Which sectors hire the most interns in Paris?

Fashion and luxury (LVMH, Kering, Chanel), technology and startups (Station F ecosystem), finance and consulting (BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, BCG), media and communications, and hospitality and tourism are the strongest sectors for interns in Paris in 2026. Many roles are bilingual or English-first, especially in tech and consulting.

Do I need to speak French for an internship in Paris?

It depends on the company and sector. Tech startups, international consulting firms and the startup ecosystem around Station F predominantly work in English. Fashion houses, PR agencies and smaller French companies expect at least intermediate French (B1 to B2). We recommend intermediate French as a baseline for any Paris internship. We can advise you on English-friendly placements if your French is limited.

Internship in Paris 2026: Cost, Visa and Best Sectors for UK Students

Paris remains one of the most sought-after internship destinations for UK students, and for good reason. The city is home to global headquarters across fashion, luxury, finance, consulting and a rapidly growing startup scene. The language barrier is real but manageable, and for many roles, especially in tech and international business, English is the working language.

What has changed post-Brexit is the admin. UK students are now treated as third-country nationals under French immigration rules, which means visa requirements apply for internships over 90 days. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to make a Paris internship happen in 2026.

Visa requirements for UK students in France (post-Brexit)

Since the UK left the EU, UK passport holders can stay in France (and the Schengen Area) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. However, most structured internships last three to six months, which puts them over the 90-day limit.

Long Stay Visa for Internship (VLS-TS Convention de stage)

For internships longer than 90 days, you need a Long Stay Visa (Visa de long sejour valant titre de sejour — VLS-TS) with the purpose listed as "Convention de stage" (internship agreement). Key facts:

Applied for at the French Consulate General in London (or Edinburgh/Manchester)
Cost: approximately GBP 99 in consular fees
Processing: 3 to 8 weeks — apply at least 2 months before your start date
Documents required: signed internship convention (Convention de stage), letter from your university, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, health insurance certificate
After arrival: you must validate the visa online within 3 months via the ANEF portal (Agence nationale des etrangers en France)

Important: Convention de stage is mandatory

French law requires all internships to be covered by a "Convention de stage" — a tripartite agreement between you, your university and the host company. You cannot do a paid internship in France without this document. Your UK university must be willing to sign it. Most UK universities cooperate, but check in advance.

Internships under 90 days

If your placement is 90 days or fewer, no visa is required. However, French law prohibits payment for internships not covered by a Convention de stage, which makes short unpaid internships a grey area. Most companies prefer the full Convention de stage setup regardless of length.

Cost of living in Paris (2026)

Paris is expensive, but it is not unmanageable on a paid internship salary. The key variable is accommodation, which accounts for roughly 50 to 60% of your monthly spend.

Expense	Budget (per month)
Shared room (colocation)	EUR 750 to EUR 1,300
Student residence (CROUS)	EUR 300 to EUR 600 (limited availability)
Groceries	EUR 250 to EUR 380
Navigo Decouverte (transport)	EUR 86
Eating out (2-3x per week)	EUR 100 to EUR 200
Leisure and culture	EUR 100 to EUR 200
Total (estimate)	EUR 1,400 to EUR 2,300

The Navigo Decouverte is one of Paris's best travel deals — it covers unlimited metro, RER, bus and suburban train travel within zones 1 to 5 for EUR 86 per month. As an intern, you are entitled to the reduced Navigo Jeunes Semaine rate of EUR 56.10 if you are under 26.

Typical internship salaries in Paris

French law sets a minimum gratification (stipend) for all internships longer than two months. In 2026, this is EUR 4.35 per hour, translating to approximately EUR 665 per month for a 35-hour week. This is a legal minimum, not a typical salary. Actual figures by sector:

Fashion and luxury: EUR 600 to EUR 1,200 (minimum to slightly above, highly competitive roles)
Technology and startups: EUR 1,200 to EUR 2,500
Finance and consulting: EUR 1,400 to EUR 3,000 (Big 4, bulge-bracket banks)
Media and communications: EUR 700 to EUR 1,400
Hospitality and tourism: EUR 700 to EUR 1,200

Best sectors for internships in Paris

Fashion and luxury

Paris is the global capital of luxury. LVMH, Kering, Chanel, Hermes, L'Oreal and hundreds of smaller brands are headquartered here. Internships span marketing, brand management, supply chain, sustainability and digital commerce. Competition is fierce and French language skills are essential for most roles. The experience, however, is unmatched for anyone targeting a career in the industry.

Technology and startups

Station F in the 13th arrondissement is the world's largest startup campus and home to over 1,000 startups. Companies like Doctolib, Contentsquare, Dataiku and Alan are Paris-grown unicorns that hire interns. Roles in product, engineering, data and growth are predominantly English-first. The ecosystem is young, collaborative and growing fast.

Finance and consulting

BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and AXA all have major presences in Paris. The La Defense business district is France's answer to Canary Wharf. McKinsey, BCG, Bain and the Big 4 run competitive internship programmes, often recruiting 6 to 12 months in advance. Strong academic credentials and some French are expected.

Media, advertising and communications

Paris is home to global advertising networks (Publicis, Havas), major publishers and a thriving digital media scene. Roles in social media, content, PR and account management are available. French is more important here than in tech, as most client work is in French.

Hospitality and tourism

Paris receives over 30 million tourists per year. Palace hotels (the Ritz, Four Seasons George V, Le Bristol) and hospitality groups offer formal internship programmes in food and beverage, front office and events management. These are excellent resume builders for hospitality management students.

How to find an internship in Paris as a UK student

Via Internship Abroad: we match UK students with verified placements in Paris across fashion, tech, hospitality and media sectors. We handle the Convention de stage paperwork and visa guidance.
LinkedIn France: filter for "stage" or "internship" in Paris. Many French companies use both terms.
Welcome to the Jungle and Apec: France's leading job boards for student placements. Welcome to the Jungle is particularly strong for startups.
Glassdoor France: search "stage Paris 2026" or "internship Paris 2026".
Company career pages: LVMH, L'Oreal, BNP Paribas and McKinsey France all have dedicated internship application portals with intake windows in January-February and September-October.

Language requirements

The honest answer is: it depends. The tech startup ecosystem, international consulting firms and the English-language media sector are genuinely English-first. If you are targeting fashion, French PR, traditional finance or any role that involves client interaction, you will need at least B1 French.

Investing three to four months in language preparation before your internship pays dividends beyond the role itself. Parisians respond warmly to genuine effort in French, even imperfect.

Practical tips for Paris interns

CAF housing benefit: As a foreign national on a long-stay visa, you may be eligible for CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) housing benefit of EUR 100 to EUR 200 per month. Apply online at caf.fr within one month of your arrival.
Bank account: Open a French bank account before or immediately after arrival. Revolut or N26 work without a French address. Traditional accounts at BNP Paribas or Credit Agricole take 2 to 4 weeks to process.
Health insurance: You need proof of health insurance for your visa application. Your UK EHIC/GHIC card does not cover private sector internships. Take out international health insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 in medical costs.
Convention de stage validation: Your university must countersign the Convention de stage. Start this process early — some UK universities take 4 to 6 weeks to process internship agreements.

Timeline: when to start planning

6 months before: confirm your university will support the Convention de stage and sign the tripartite agreement. Start your job search.
4 to 5 months before: apply for roles. Competition is high for Paris placements — start early.
3 months before: once you have a signed Convention de stage, apply for your long-stay visa at the French Consulate.
6 to 8 weeks before: arrange accommodation, book flights, arrange health insurance.
On arrival: validate your visa on the ANEF portal within 3 months. Apply for a CAF housing benefit.

Ready to intern in Paris?

We match UK students with paid placements in Paris across fashion, tech, finance and hospitality. Convention de stage support and visa guidance included.

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