Is it possible to work for free during vacation in France?

Is there free health care in France? Is it mandatory to take 5 weeks of vacation, even if you work part time?

• I just watched "Sicko" by Michael Moore and it explored the American Health Care System. He interviewed some people in France and they said they were also given 1 week of ...show more

• Answer:

  Health care is only nearly free for people who have paid into the system through national insurance contributions to the Sécurité Sociale. Others and people from other countries who have not paid into the system are not eligible As for paid holidays, there is a five weeks a year entitlement to holidays if you are employed full time, and the entitlement of part- timers is proportional to the number of days which they have worked. You are allowed compassionate leave if someone close to you dies, and five days off to get married. Only people with particular difficulties get someone coming to their house to give them assistance with certain tasks, and this is on the recommendation of a doctor or a social worker (assistante sociale) that has determined that the person is unable to cope because of old age, incapacitating illness, disability, or special circumstances. All this is subsidised through compulsory high taxes on all people who have an income through employment, investment or renting out property. You can read additional information about helathcare in France on this website: http://www.civitas.org.uk/pubs/bb2France.php