If your company shuts their doors and you have been employed under a French contract you are protected by the government. It is under these conditions that you will be thankful for having paid those high social charges.

The first step is to register with the French unemployment agency, ASSEDIC (www.assedic.fr) immediately and you will be granted an interview during which you’ll be officially registered. You will then be given an interview with the French employment agency, ANPE (www.anpe.fr). Even if you have no intention of using the ANPE services, it is crucial to have your initial interview. ASSEDIC will pay you a monthly unemployment allowance assuming that you satisfy the following criteria:
• You were dismissed and did not resign of your own freewill
• You’ve contributed to French social security for a minimum of six months within the previous 22 months
• You’re less than 60 years old
• You’re physically capable of working