An internship agreement (convention de stage) is a contract signed by three parties (you, the host company and your school or training provider) that sets the framework for your internship. Without it, there's no internship in the legal sense: just a risky situation, for you and for the company.
You've found a company ready to take you on, and your supervisor says "we'll sort the paperwork out later"? That's exactly the moment to bring it up. Here's what you need to know before your first day.
What is an internship agreement for?
It sets the rules of the game. An intern isn't an employee: they don't have an employment contract. The agreement partly takes its place, describing what's expected of you, what the company owes you and who supports you during the internship.
It also serves as proof. If you have an accident on your way to work, if the stipend isn't paid or if the internship ends abruptly, this is the document everyone will turn to. The legal framework is set out in the French Education Code, articles L124-1 onwards, and in article L.612-8. Law no. 2014-788 of 10 July 2014 strengthened these rules to better protect interns.
Is an internship agreement mandatory?
Yes. Every internship in a work setting must be covered by an agreement signed before it starts.
Starting "while waiting for the signature" is a bad idea. Take Léa, who starts on a Monday at a communications agency while the agreement is still going round by email. On Wednesday, she twists her ankle on the office stairs. Without a signed agreement, the question of her cover becomes a real headache. Waiting one more week would have spared her the trouble.
What does an internship agreement contain?
The document covers everything that shapes your day-to-day life as an intern. In particular, it includes:
- your details and the company's (company name, SIRET number, address of the workplace);
- the school or training provider supporting you;
- the start and end dates, and the hours of presence per week;
- the tasks you'll be given and the skills you're working on;
- the name of your company supervisor and of your academic contact;
- the stipend, when it's due, and any perks (meal vouchers, transport);
- leave and authorised absences;
- the conditions for suspending or ending the internship.
A tip: describe your tasks precisely. "Assisting the marketing team" doesn't say much. "Preparing the monthly social media report and helping launch a campaign" is much clearer, for you and for the company.
Who signs the internship agreement?
Three signatures are required:
- you, the intern;
- the host organisation, usually the director or an authorised person, often together with the supervisor;
- the school or training provider you're attached to.
These days, signing is often done online, which speeds things up. But as long as a signature is missing, the internship shouldn't start.
How long can an internship last?
Six months maximum with the same host organisation, per academic year. This limit prevents an intern from actually filling a permanent position.
If your dates change along the way (a project that runs longer, an early departure), the agreement isn't rewritten: an amendment is signed, again by all three parties.
Is the internship paid?
It's called a stipend (gratification), not a salary. It becomes mandatory as soon as the internship lasts more than two months with the same host organisation, i.e. more than 44 seven-hour days of presence (from the 309th hour), whether or not those days are consecutive.
The minimum amount is set each year as a percentage of the French Social Security hourly ceiling. It changes: check the current amount on service-public.fr when you sign. Nothing stops the company from paying more, and that's common in some sectors.
Can you get an internship agreement without a school?
Yes, but not without a course. The agreement has to be linked to an educational pathway. It doesn't have to be a "traditional" school: a training provider can play that role.
This is often the case for people who've finished their studies, are changing careers or are on a gap year. For example, Karim completed his bachelor's degree in June and a company offers him four months starting in September. His university can no longer issue him an agreement, because he's no longer enrolled. So he needs another framework.
How EDU Business Institute helps you get your agreement
At EDU Business Institute, the internship agreement is linked to a 200-hour online course. In practice:
- you choose one of our 9 courses (marketing and communication, human resources, banking and finance, IT and AI, fashion and luxury, real estate and architecture, international law, journalism, audiovisual);
- the courses are open to all profiles, and everything is done remotely, at your own pace;
- the agreement can cover an internship of up to 6 months;
- the price is €299, course and agreement included, with the option to pay in 3 instalments with Klarna (see pricing);
- once your file is complete (company SIRET number, supervisor, dates, tasks, stipend), the agreement is prepared within 24 to 48 business hours.
Companies are free to set their own internal rules: some accept this type of agreement, others don't. That's why we offer our refund policy: if the company turns your agreement down, we refund you €250. Only the €49 application fee is kept. The request must be made within one month of receiving the agreement, with the company's written refusal (full conditions in our terms of sale).
To see the full process, visit our internship agreement page.
FAQ: your questions about internship agreements
Can you do an internship without an agreement?
No. Without an agreement signed by all three parties, it isn't an internship covered by the law. The company takes a legal risk, and you aren't properly protected.
How long does it take to get an agreement?
It depends on the institution. A school may need several days, or even several weeks. At EDU Business Institute, allow 24 to 48 business hours once your file is complete. An incomplete file is the number one cause of delay.
Can an agreement be changed once it's signed?
Yes, through an amendment signed by all three parties. This applies if the dates, tasks, supervisor or workplace change.
Is an internship agreement valid abroad?
It can be. We mainly handle internships in France and the European Union, and other countries case by case. The agreement is written in French, and the host company must accept this framework.
What happens if the company turns my agreement down?
Ask them for the reason in writing. Sometimes it's just a matter of form, which can be fixed quickly. If the refusal is confirmed, our refund policy applies under the conditions set out in our terms of sale. You'll find more answers in our FAQ.
Build your experience through an internship
Whether you are a student or already a graduate, move from theory to practice: choose your program and your internship can start within a compliant framework.
