Pay for the day
P = h × rate × (1 + p + p2)
Sunday and Public Holiday Pay Calculator (French rules)
Calculate pay for a Sunday or public holiday worked under French rules: double pay on 1 May and mayor-authorised Sundays, +30 % in large food stores, otherwise your agreement’s rate.
- France
- Euro
Enter zero or a positive number in every field.
Pay for the day
- Pay at the normal rate
- Premium
- Additional premium
- Hourly rate with premium
- Calculation
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How does this tool work?
This calculator applies French rules. In France, working on a Sunday or a public holiday does not automatically entitle you to a premium. The Labour Code sets a rate in only three cases: 1 May, Sundays authorised by the mayor and Sunday mornings in large food stores. Everywhere else, compensation depends on the collective agreement, a company or zone agreement, or the contract. The tool fills in the statutory rate where there is one, leaves the field open otherwise, and works out the day’s pay with any additional premium from your agreement. In other countries Sunday and holiday pay follow different rules: you can enter any rate, but the legal notes concern France only.
Choose the type of day: the statutory rate is filled in (100 % for 1 May and mayor’s Sundays, 30 % for Sunday mornings in food stores over 400 m², 0 % elsewhere). You can always change it, for instance if your agreement is more generous.
1 May is the only public holiday that must be a day off. Only businesses that cannot stop working (hospitals, transport, hotels…) may employ staff that day, and the employee then receives an allowance equal to their pay (article L3133-6). Other public holidays are worked or not depending on the agreement or the employer’s decision, and any premium is set by agreement.
On Sundays, rest is the rule and work an exception. For mayor-authorised Sundays, pay is at least doubled and equivalent compensatory rest is due (article L3132-27). In tourist or shopping zones, the agreement that allows opening sets the compensation. The “Additional premium” field adds an agreed premium that is cumulated, for example a Sunday premium on top of a holiday premium.
How to use this tool
Choose the day worked
The matching statutory rate is filled in and a note recalls the rule.
Enter the hours
Hours actually worked that day.
Enter the hourly rate
Gross base rate from the payslip.
Adjust the premium
Replace it with your agreement’s rate if it is higher, or enter it when the law sets none.
Add a cumulative premium
Use the second field if your agreement provides a premium on top of the first one.
Formula used
Premium
M = h × rate × p
- h
- hours worked on the Sunday or holiday
- r
- gross hourly rate
- p
- statutory or agreed premium (1 = 100 %)
- p2
- optional additional premium
Both premiums are calculated on base pay and added, not applied one on top of the other. If your agreement cumulates them differently, adjust the rates.
Use cases
Check 1 May pay
Make sure the 1 May allowance on the payslip equals one extra day’s pay.
Year-end Sundays
Work out the shop Sundays authorised by the mayor, often in December, with double pay.
Food retail
Estimate the minimum 30 % premium for Sunday mornings in a large food store.
Apply an agreement
Enter your industry rate for a Sunday or holiday, plus an additional premium if it is cumulated.
Use your own country’s rule
Select “Other Sunday” or “Public holiday” and enter the premium of your law or contract.
Examples
A 7-hour mayor-authorised Sunday
The employee is also owed 7 hours of compensatory rest, taken collectively or by rotation within two weeks.
Input
Mayor’s Sunday · 7 h · €15/h · +100 %Result
€105 base + €105 premium = €2101 May worked in a hospital
The allowance equals the day’s pay and is paid by the employer.
Input
1 May · 8 h · €14/h · +100 %Result
€112 base + €112 allowance = €224Sunday morning in a supermarket
If the agreement gives more, enter its rate instead of 30 %.
Input
Food store over 400 m² · 6 h · €12/h · +30 %Result
€72 + €21.60 = €93.60Tips and best practices
- In France, a public holiday off causes no loss of pay for employees with at least 3 months’ service; for 1 May there is no service condition.
- A public holiday falling on a Sunday gives no extra day off unless the agreement provides one.
- For mayor’s Sundays and prefect-authorised Sundays, only volunteers who have agreed in writing may work.
- In Alsace-Moselle, Good Friday (in some towns) and 26 December are also public holidays, and Sunday work follows local rules.
- A bill examined in 2026 would let craft bakeries and florists employ volunteers on 1 May from 2027 with the same allowance; it is not in force yet.
- Sunday or holiday hours may also be overtime: premiums are then calculated separately under your agreement.
Sources and references
- Service-Public.fr — Sunday work in France (opens in a new tab)Page in French
- Service-Public.fr — Public holidays and May Day in the French private sector (opens in a new tab)Page in French
- Code du travail, article L3132-27 : rémunération au moins double et repos compensateur pour les dimanches du maire (opens in a new tab), Code du travail numériquePage in French
- Code du travail, article L3132-13 : commerces de détail alimentaire le dimanche (majoration d’au moins 30 %) (opens in a new tab), Code du travail numériquePage in French
- Code du travail, article L3133-6 : indemnité égale au salaire pour le travail du 1er mai (opens in a new tab), Code du travail numériquePage in French
Frequently asked questions
Is Sunday work paid double in France?
Only on mayor-authorised Sundays (up to 12 a year), where the law requires at least double pay and compensatory rest. Otherwise the law sets no general premium: it depends on the agreement, the zone agreement or the contract.
How is 1 May paid when worked?
The day’s pay plus an allowance equal to it, i.e. double. Only activities that cannot stop may employ staff that day.
Are other public holidays paid more?
Not by law. Many collective agreements provide a premium or a day off in lieu: check yours.
What is the 30 % Sunday premium?
It applies to employees of food retail stores with a sales area above 400 m² who work on Sunday until 1 pm.
Can I refuse to work on Sundays?
For mayor’s Sundays, prefect exemptions and tourist or shopping zones, Sunday work is voluntary and in writing, and refusal cannot be penalised. In sectors with a permanent exemption (hotels, healthcare…), Sunday can be part of normal hours.
Does the calculator handle compensatory rest?
No, it calculates pay only. The rest owed for a mayor’s Sunday is as long as the work done.
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