Apprenticeship and professionalization contract: what are the differences?
Verified 25 February 2026 - Entreprendre Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The apprenticeship contract and the professionalization contract are contracts of employment alternating practical training in company and theoretical training. Differences exist between these two contracts, in particular as regards the duration of the contract, the age or the remuneration of the beneficiary. We present you the main differences between these two contracts.
Apprenticeship contract | Contract of professionalization | |
|---|---|---|
Objective | Initial training (diploma or professional title) | Continuing education (professional qualification) |
Type of contract |
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Duration of contract | Where the contract is of limited duration, its duration shall be 6 months minimum to 3 years maximum. The maximum duration of the contract may be extended to 4 years if the apprentice is in one of the following situations:
The duration of the contract is specified in an agreement annexed to the contract. | If it is a FIXED-TERM CONTRACT: titleContent, the minimum duration is between 6 and 12 months. It can be lengthened to 36 months in certain situations. If it is a DTA: titleContent, the professionalization action is at the beginning of the contract. Sa minimum duration is between 6 and 12 months. It can be lengthened to 36 months in certain situations. |
Age requirements |
Age maximum can be raised to 35 years at most (36 years minus 1 day) in the following cases: It must then not flow more than 1 year between the 2 contracts. There's no no age limit if the apprentice is in one of the following situations: |
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Training | At least 25% of the total duration of the contract | 150 hours minimum and between 15% and 25% of the total duration of the contract |
Remuneration | Enter 27% and 100% of Smic: titleContent depending on age and level of education, or the conventional minimum wage if more favorable | Enter 55% and 100% of Smic: titleContent according to age and level of education, or 85% the minimum remuneration set out in the collective agreement or company branch agreement if more favorable |
Aid for work-study students | Mobil-youth assistance is a housing benefit available under conditions to young people under 30 years of age | Mobil-youth assistance is a housing benefit available under conditions to young people under 30 years of age |
Hiring aids | It exists several aids | It exists several aids |
You can use a simulator which allows compare the annual salary cost alternating according to either of these contracts:
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Definition and regime of the apprenticeship contract
Conclusion of the apprenticeship contract
Duration of the apprenticeship contract
Adjustment of the duration of the apprenticeship contract
Adjustment of the duration of the apprenticeship contract
Succession of apprenticeship contracts
Age requirements of the apprentice
Age requirements of the apprentice
Duration of training of the apprenticeship contract
Minimum salary of the apprenticeship contract
Subject matter and conditions for opening the professionalization contract
Duration and implementation of professionalization actions
Training and execution of the professionalization contract
Salary and working hours of the professionalization contract
Professionalization contract: taken over by France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi)
Provisions applicable to employers' associations
FAQ
Ministry of Labor
Ministry of Labor
Ministry of Labor
Ministry of Labor
Ministry of Labor