Whether you already live in Réunion or are considering leaving mainland France to settle there, you are entering a dynamic but tight job market, where unemployment remains high (around 18%) while falling and salaried employment is growing. A French department in the Indian Ocean, Réunion combines French labor law with a tropical economy. Here is how to find a job, an internship or an apprenticeship there.
Why work in Réunion?
Because it is a full French department, with the same labor law and currency as the mainland, but a unique living environment. Salaried employment is growing and several sectors are hiring actively, making it a prime destination for combining career and quality of life.
- A French department: French labor law, the euro, no visa formalities.
- Growing salaried employment in recent years.
- Promising sectors: tourism, construction, health, services.
- A sought-after tropical setting.
How does the Réunion labor market work?
The market is marked by structurally high unemployment, especially among young people, but it is recovering and salaried employment is growing. Strong competition for advertised roles makes direct outreach and networking particularly rewarding. Most rules (contracts, minimum wage, rights) are identical to the mainland.
- High but falling unemployment, especially among youth.
- Growing salaried employment.
- Strong competition for advertised roles.
- A legal framework identical to the mainland.
Which sectors hire the most in Réunion?
- Tourism and hospitality, the engine of the economy.
- Construction and public works, driven by infrastructure.
- Health and personal services.
- Trade and business services.
- Agriculture (sugar cane, fruit) and agri-food.
Which cities should you target in Réunion?
- Saint-Denis: the main town, administration, services and trade.
- Saint-Pierre: the major southern hub, services and trade.
- Saint-Paul and Le Port: tourism, logistics and industry.
- Saint-André and Saint-Benoît: agriculture and eastern services.
Settling in Réunion: the steps
As Réunion is a French department, there are no visa formalities for French and European nationals: you work there exactly as on the mainland. Mobility schemes (such as LADOM support) can assist with settling or training from the overseas territories.
- No visa formalities for French and European nationals.
- Same contracts, same minimum wage and same rights as the mainland.
- Mobility support exists in some cases.
Salaries and cost of living: what to expect
Salaries follow French scales, sometimes with a bonus in the public sector. The main point of attention remains the high cost of living: many imported goods cost more than on the mainland, weighing on household budgets.
- Salaries aligned with French law.
- A high cost of living on imported goods.
- Possible bonuses in the public sector.
How to find a job, internship or apprenticeship in Réunion?
- Targeted unsolicited applications (see below).
- Networking, decisive in a competitive market.
- Employment agencies and local platforms.
- Réunion job fairs and forums.
The unsolicited application: the key to Réunion's hidden job market
With high unemployment and strong competition for advertised roles, contacting companies directly makes all the difference. The unsolicited application gives you access to the hidden market, lets you get known before any ad and turn your motivation into opportunity.
- You access roles filled without an ad.
- You avoid competition for heavily applied-to offers.
- You show your motivation and initiative.
- You get ahead of other candidates.
Succeeding in your professional integration: our tips
- Target promising sectors (tourism, construction, health).
- Anticipate seasonal tourism hiring.
- Activate your local network on arrival.
- Research the cost of living to negotiate well.
Your next steps to work in Réunion
Target a city and a sector, prepare a clear CV, then contact companies directly. In a tight market where networking prevails, initiative and the unsolicited application make the difference.