Find Out How to Get a Job and Work in Bordeaux

Employment in Bordeaux

Local Economy

Bordeaux’s economy is diverse; alongside traditional sectors such as agriculture, fishing and wine, newer sectors have come to the fore relatively recently, including aeronautics (employing 20,000 people in the area), electronics, telecommunications and  firms based in or near Bordeaux include surfing clothing company Oxbow, corrugated packaging company Smurfit Kappa, and Marie Brizard, which produces liquors.

Aquitaine is a leading region in the areas of life sciences and laser technology. Laser Mégajoule is a major, multi-million pound research project situated near Bordeaux. Bordeaux is a major trading port, with some nine million tons of goods transported to and from the city. In addition, thanks to the lure of its grand architecture and history, tourism is a key sector.

Centuries after it was first introduced to the Bordeaux region, wine is still the lifeblood of the local economy. The region currently has some 287,000 acres of vineyards, 10,000 wine-producing châteaux, 13,000 grape growers, and an annual production of approximately 960 million bottles, from everyday table wine to some of the highest-priced premium wines in the world. Bordeaux is also home to the world’s biggest wine fair, Vinexpo.

Job Hunting in Bordeaux

For any expat planning to relocate to France, being able to speak French and possessing training and higher education qualifications are desirable. If you’re considering teaching English, there are several English language schools in Bordeaux, including ABC English, Inlingua, and Bordeaux International School.

You might already have a job lined up through your current employer — if not, a good place to start is looking for vacancies in local newspapers and online. The biggest daily paper in Bordeaux is the Sud-Ouest. To search online, try Indeed and France Xpat Jobs. Or look for vacancies at specific companies with branches in or near Bordeaux, such as Deloitte.

In recent years, Bordeaux has become a much more business-friendly city. Entrepreneurship is encouraged, with the offer of government-funded business start-up and development grants. See Gobordeaux for more information.

Income Taxation in Bordeaux

There are three main categories of personal taxation in France: income tax, social security contributions, and tax on goods and services. Residents also pay occupier’s tax, and may be liable to pay property tax. In France, income tax is calculated based on the household income, as opposed to an individual’s income.

The 2015 personal income tax brackets are as follows:

• Up to 9,690 EUR — 0%
• 9,691–26,764 EUR — 14.0%
• 26,765–71,754 EUR — 30.0%
• 71,755–151, 956 EUR — 41.0%
• Over 151,956 EUR — 45.0%