Back to France: What is the right to unemployment benefits?

Verified 15 March 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Eligibility for unemployment benefits differs depending on whether you are returning from a the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland or any other country.

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European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

You have lost your job and you are coming back to France

Before returning to France, get the U1 portable document with the institution responsible for unemployment insurance in your former State of employment.

This form summarizes the periods of insurance or employment completed to calculate your unemployment benefits.

If you don't have U1 portable document, contact the Pôle emploi of your home to request it.

Who shall I contact

On your return to France, you have to work at least 1 day to be able to collect unemployment benefits. Register as a job seeker with Pôle emploi.

Sign up for Pôle emploi

To calculate your period of membership, Pôle emploi takes into account the periods of work completed abroad indicated on the U1 portable document.

To calculate the amount of your allowance, Pôle emploi takes into account only your remuneration received in France after your return from expatriation.

Please note

the rules are different for frontier workers.

You are compensated in the country of employment and you return to France

Before returning to France, get the U2 portable document with the body paying your unemployment benefit. This document attests to the duration of your entitlement to unemployment benefits (up to 3 months, this period can be extended up to 6 months).

On your return to France, you must register in the Pôle emploi of your home in the 7 days after the date of termination of registration in the State which has left. You give Pôle emploi the U2 portable document .

The body paying your unemployment benefits abroad continues to pay you them but it is Pôle emploi who follows your job search in France.

Sign up for Pôle emploi

Other country

Your employer has affiliated you with Pôle emploi services
You lost your job in the host country

On your return to France, you must register as a job seeker in Pôle emploi from your home in the 12 months following the loss of your business.

Sign up for Pôle emploi

To calculate the length of your benefits, Pôle emploi takes into account the length of your membership and your age at the end of the employment contract.

To calculate the amount of your allowance, Pôle emploi takes into account the salaries received during the expatriation.

For any request concerning your allocation file, please contact the International Mobility service of Pôle emploi services.

You receive an unemployment benefit before your expatriation

You retain your unemployment insurance rights for 3 years.

Upon your return to France, you can benefit from a return of the rest of your former rights.

Warning  

before your departure abroad, do not forget to declare your expatriation to Pôle emploi to interrupt the payment of your allowances.

You're in a different situation

If you are not affiliated with Pôle emploi services, you are not entitled to unemployment benefits upon your return to France. You can request a social assistance.