Students on internships will see a slight improvement in their purchasing power starting January 1, 2026. The minimum financial compensation paid to interns will be increased, in accordance with the rules that index it annually to Social Security parameters. This is a routine but expected change, given that internships remain essential in many academic programs.
An increase linked to social security rules
The minimum hourly rate will increase to €4,50, up from €4,35. This rise is due to the increase in the Social Security hourly ceiling, set at €30 for 2026, a portion of which is used to calculate the stipend. For a full-time internship, this will translate to an additional €20 per month.
This requirement applies only to internships lasting more than two months, whether consecutive or not, at the same host organization. Below this threshold, no financial compensation is legally mandated. However, companies may pay a higher stipend, particularly when provided for in collective agreements.
The payment remains monthly and can be calculated either based on the actual hours worked or spread over the entire internship. This increase does not disrupt the financial stability of students, but it does mark a continued improvement in the legal framework surrounding internships in France.
