France tightens housing rules for seasonal agricultural workers

The French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Food Sovereignty has issued an arrêté dated 20 August 2026 laying down reinforced standards for the housing of agricultural workers, published in the Journal officiel de la République française (JORF n°0197) of 25 August 2026 under reference NOR AGRS2511089A. The text tightens requirements on indoor temperature, bedding, drinking water, fire safety and tent accommodation for seasonal farm labour.

The new arrêté replaces the previous rules of 1 July 1996 (NOR AGRS9601337A), which it abrogates, with a transitional period running until 15 September 2026 for establishments in the departments covered by the old article 5. It applies to the housing covered by articles R. 716-5 to R. 716-13 of the Code rural et de la pêche maritime, and to workers housed on sites such as landscaping and forestry operations.

Comfort and hygiene in permanent housing

For dwellings covered by articles R. 716-6 to R. 716-13 of the rural code, the arrêté sets minimum comfort and hygiene obligations that employers must meet:

• Indoor temperature must be maintainable at least at 18 °C in all seasons, avoiding condensation and excessive heat.
• Each worker must have fully equipped, clean bedding in good condition, plus an individual locker with separate compartments and a lock.
• Meal preparation and dining areas must be large enough and fitted with cooking utensils, appliances, refrigeration, tables and seats.
• A sufficient number of closable bins with fitted bags must be provided.
• Each shower must have a changing space protected from water spray, and each toilet must be equipped with a brush, toilet paper and a receptacle for periodic liners.
• Where premises are not supplied with running drinking water, the employer must provide at least 100 litres of drinking water per worker per day.

Rules for on-site and tent accommodation

For workers housed on sites, notably landscaping and forestry, sleeping rooms must separate men and women, provide at least 11 cubic metres of habitable volume per person, ban bunk beds, and cap occupancy at six beds per room. Bedding must be laundered at least every fifteen days and at each change of occupant. Toilets must be provided at a ratio of one per ten workers, and fire safety rules require clear exits of at least 0.80 m, doors that open in the direction of exit and can be opened from inside without a key, and a visible fire instruction notice.

From 1 June to 30 September, employers may house workers in tents under article R. 716-16 of the rural code, provided the establishment is located in one of the listed departments, including Ariège, Bouches-du-Rhône, Drôme, Gard, Gers, Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Rhône, Tarn, Var, Vaucluse and others. Tent conditions include:

• A minimum height of 2 metres under the tent, with proper ventilation and an insulating floor.
• No pneumatic mattresses; bedding laundered at least every fifteen days.
• Separate tents for men and women, except for couples using a tent exclusively.
• Sanitary facilities per ten workers, including a drinking-water point, washbasin, shower, dish and laundry basins, and a toilet.
• A first-aid kit and a working fire extinguisher, plus bins emptied at least twice a week.

Impact on employers and workers

The arrêté also sets specific rules for shepherds and mountain-pasture herders, guaranteeing at least 11 cubic metres of sleeping space per person, a cooking appliance with fuel, and at least 100 litres of drinking water per day. The reinforced standards are designed to improve dignity, health and safety for the tens of thousands of seasonal workers employed in French agriculture each year, while imposing new compliance and maintenance duties on farm employers.

Source: Journal officiel de la République française, n°0197, 25 August 2026, section I (official reference: NOR AGRS2511089A).