Fixed-term contracts
How long can a fixed-term contract last?
What the law says
- A fixed-term contract cannot exceed 24 months for the same employee, renewals included (Art. L. 122-4).
- A seasonal contract cannot exceed 10 months in any 12-month period (Art. L. 122-4).
- The Minister of Labour can exceptionally allow longer for highly specialised jobs, and some contracts (for example research) can go up to 60 months (Art. L. 122-4).
Watch out for
- Count every renewal: what matters is the total length (Art. L. 122-4).
Who can help
Official source : Code du travail (version du 26.7.2026) · Checked on 21.10.2026