What are RTT days and how do they work in France?

When employing staff in France, particularly under the forfait jours (annual working days) arrangement, understanding RTT days (Réduction du Temps de Travail) is essential. These compensatory rest days ensure employees working beyond the statutory 35-hour workweek receive adequate time off to maintain work-life balance.


What Exactly Are RTT Days?

RTT days are additional days off granted to full-time employees who exceed the standard 35-hour weekly limit, most commonly those on an annualized working schedule like the 218-day forfait jours model under the Syntec Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

These employees don’t track hours weekly—instead, they work a set number of days per year. RTT days help reconcile the difference between the legal maximum working time and the actual work performed.


Why Do RTT Days Exist?

RTT days were introduced in France as part of labor reforms to reduce overall working time while preserving economic productivity. For employees not on a standard hourly schedule, RTT days serve as compensatory time off to align with France's labor laws.


How Are RTT Days Calculated?

For employees on a 218-day work year (typical under Syntec CBA):

  • The remaining working days in the calendar year (after accounting for weekends, paid holidays, and vacation days) are allocated as RTT days.

  • The number of RTT days can vary each year, generally ranging from 9 to 11 days, depending on how holidays fall and the company's internal policies.

Horizons helps ensure this calculation is handled correctly for all eligible employees.


How Can RTT Days Be Managed?

RTT days can be tracked and managed directly through the Horizons platform. Here’s how the process works:

  1. Identify Eligible Employees
    Employees typically earning EUR 43,000.00 or more annually are eligible for the forfait jours arrangement. Horizons can confirm eligibility during the onboarding process.

  2. Annual Setup
    RTT entitlements are calculated at the start of the year, considering:

    • The total number of workdays in the year

    • National holidays

    • Paid annual leave entitlements

  3. Monthly Accrual
    RTT days are accrued progressively each month based on the employee’s annual schedule.


Are RTT Days the Same as Vacation Days?

No. RTT days are separate from annual leave. They are additional rest days awarded for time worked beyond the standard 35-hour workweek and do not impact vacation entitlements.


Do RTT Days Expire?

Yes. Unlike vacation days, which typically expire in late May of the following year, RTT days expire on December 31 of the current year.

Untaken RTT days are forfeited unless a written agreement exists between the employee and employer.
Please consult with Horizons if you need support managing or preserving unused RTT days.


Are RTT Days Mandatory?

Not necessarily. RTT days apply only if:

  • The employee is on a forfait jours contract

  • Their working time exceeds 35 hours/week

  • The employment arrangement includes RTT benefits

If your employee is on a standard 35-hour contract, RTT days are not applicable. In such cases, any overtime must be compensated per French labor law. Always consult your Horizons Onboarding Specialist to ensure the correct setup for each employee.

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