Seasonal jobs for teens: legal first jobs in the school holidays

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What seasonal work can teenagers do?

Typical teen jobs are simple and supervised: fruit picking, maize detasseling in July, shelf stacking, ice-cream kiosks, campsite reception, kitchen help away from fryers and slicers, lifeguard assistance where qualified, and babysitting. Demand peaks from June to August in coastal and lakeside resorts.

A second, smaller wave comes during the Christmas and February holidays in ski resorts and shops. Most teen contracts last two to eight weeks and are offered close to home, because employers rarely house minors and parents prefer short commutes.

Tasks that are off limits before 18

In France, the official list of prohibited work bans minors from serving at the bar of a drinks outlet, driving tractors without rollover protection, pruning in trees, contact with dangerous animals and extreme temperatures. Most countries apply similar hazardous-occupation lists to under-18s.

When to start looking

French employment services advise applying from January for summer jobs, with most hiring done by April, and between September and November for winter. Teenagers should start even earlier, because employers must complete extra paperwork before a minor’s first day.

Best sectors for a first job

• Agriculture: strawberries, cherries, apples and maize detasseling, often from 14 or 16 depending on the country.
• Retail: bakeries, supermarkets and beach shops for shelf work and tills.
• Tourism: campsites, leisure parks and holiday villages for reception and cleaning.
• Childcare and summer camps: from 17 in France with BAFA training, from 16 or older elsewhere.

Minimum working age in France

From 16, a teen may sign any contract with written consent from a parent or legal guardian. At 14 and 15, work is only possible during school holidays of at least 14 days, in light tasks, and the young person keeps continuous rest for half the holiday.

The employer must ask the labour inspectorate at the regional DREETS or local DDETS at least 15 days before hiring a 14- or 15-year-old, enclosing parental consent. Without a written refusal within eight days, authorisation is deemed granted, possibly with conditions.

Rules for teens in the UK and the US

In the United Kingdom, the general minimum age for part-time work is 14, or 13 in some council areas, and local councils may require a child employment permit. Full-time work is only possible after the minimum school leaving age.

Under US federal law, 14- and 15-year-olds may work up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week when school is out, until 9 pm between June 1 and Labor Day. From 16, hours are unlimited federally, but hazardous jobs stay banned.

Hours, breaks and night work in France

At 16 and 17, the cap is 8 hours a day and 35 hours a week, with 12 consecutive hours of daily rest. Under 16, the cap is 7 hours a day with 14 hours of rest. Two consecutive rest days per week are mandatory.

No minor may work more than 4.5 hours without a 30-minute break. Night work is banned between 10 pm and 6 am from 16, and between 8 pm and 6 am under 16, except for narrow derogations granted by the labour inspectorate.

How much do teens earn?

From 1 June 2026, France’s minimum wage is 12.31 euros gross per hour. Without six months of experience in the sector, minors receive 11.08 euros at 17 and 9.85 euros at 16 or younger. In the UK, the under-18 rate is £8.00 from April 2026.

Qualifications that open better-paid teen jobs

A first-aid certificate, a pool lifeguard qualification or a camp-leader course can turn a basic job into a better role. In France, BAFA training for holiday-camp leaders starts at 17, and lifeguarding requires a recognised water-safety certificate.

Step-by-step: landing a first seasonal job

1. Check the legal rules for your age and country before applying.
2. Write a one-page CV listing availability, languages, volunteering and sport.
3. Search official job boards and youth information centres in your area.
4. Visit shops, campsites and farms in person with a printed CV.
5. Get written parental consent and, if needed, a council or labour-inspectorate permit.
6. Check the contract: dates, hours, hourly pay, location and tasks.
7. Keep payslips and a work certificate for future applications.

Documents and figures at a glance

Common mistakes and scams

• Working cash-in-hand with no contract or insurance cover.
• Starting at 14 or 15 in France before the labour inspectorate has replied.
• Paying a fee to join a “teen jobs” website or agency.
• Accepting evening shifts that run past legal night-work limits.
• Sending ID scans or bank details before a real interview.

Can a 15-year-old work a summer job in France?

Yes, during school holidays of at least 14 days, doing light work only, with parental consent and labour-inspectorate authorisation. The limit is 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week, and the teen must keep rest for half the holiday.

Can teenagers serve alcohol in a summer job?

In France, bar service in a drinks outlet is banned before 18, with narrow exceptions for trainees over 16 in approved premises and for close relatives of the owner. Other countries set their own limits, often 18 for serving at a bar.

Do foreign teens need a visa to work in France?

Teens from the EU, EEA or Switzerland work in France on the same terms as French teens. Most non-EU minors cannot obtain a work visa, because working holiday visas and seasonal schemes usually require applicants to be at least 18.

Is a teen’s summer pay taxed?

In France, a minor’s earnings are added to the parents’ tax household, but pupils and students under 26 are exempt up to three times the monthly minimum wage per year. In the UK, income tax applies only above the personal allowance.