Severance pay
Am I owed severance pay if I am dismissed?
What the law says
- It is due to an employee on a permanent contract who is dismissed, except for serious misconduct (Art. L. 124-7 and L. 124-10).
- Minimum: one month’s pay after 5 years’ service, two months after 10 years, three months after 15 years (Art. L. 124-7).
- Six months after 20 years, nine months after 25 years, twelve months after 30 years (Art. L. 124-7).
- Service is counted at the end of the notice period, even if you are released from working it (Art. L. 124-7).
Watch out for
- An employer with fewer than 20 employees can choose in the dismissal letter either to pay the severance or to extend the notice period instead: one or the other, not both (Art. L. 124-7).
- Severance pay comes on top of any damages for unfair dismissal (Art. L. 124-7).
Who can help
Official source : Code du travail (version du 26.7.2026) · Checked on 21.10.2026