in short
A replacement guarantee protects you if a new hire leaves within the first months: a new search at no extra cost, sometimes a partial refund. It is not required by law, only the probation period is, up to four months for an executive. Before signing, ask about its duration, the cases it covers, and what happens with no replacement.
what is a replacement guarantee in recruitment?
A replacement guarantee protects the company if the person hired leaves shortly after joining. No French law requires it: its duration and scope depend entirely on the contract signed with the agency or headhunter.
It usually takes one of two forms, which a contract may or may not combine: a new search at no extra cost (replacement), or a partial or full refund of the fee already paid.
how long is an executive's probation period under French law?
Many guarantees are set against all or part of the probation period, so its legal length is a useful benchmark. For an executive role in France, the Code du travail sets a probation period of four months at most, renewable once if an extended branch agreement allows it and the employment contract states it expressly.
| category | without renewal (L1221-19) | renewal included (L1221-21) |
|---|---|---|
| manual and clerical staff | 2 months | 4 months |
| supervisors and technicians | 3 months | 6 months |
| executives | 4 months | 8 months |
Notice periods for ending it, renewal conditions, the 2023 reform: our guide an executive's probation period in France sets out the rules. For a specific case, have your situation checked by an employment lawyer.
what should a good replacement guarantee cover?
- Duration: does it cover the whole probation period, renewal included, or a shorter period set by the provider?
- Which departures are covered: resignation, ending at your initiative, ending at the candidate's initiative, dismissal for misconduct.
- What happens if no replacement is found: a partial refund, a full refund, or none at all.
- The time limit to trigger the guarantee after the hire leaves.
902,400
permanent contracts ended during the probation period in France in 2024, out of 4,233,000 permanent contracts ended in the private sector (metropolitan France)
what guarantee does muzzo offer?
On Muzzo, the guarantee is not negotiated case by case: it is the same for every assignment, whatever the role or the fee you set.
For the full breakdown of the fee model, read our guide how much does a recruitment agency cost.
frequently asked questions
Is a replacement guarantee required by law?
No. Only the probation period's maximum length is set by French law (up to four months for an executive, eight with renewal). A replacement guarantee depends entirely on the contract signed with the agency or headhunter.
What does the Muzzo guarantee cover?
If the hire leaves within 3 months, the search restarts at no extra cost. If no replacement is found within 4 months, 50% of the fee is refunded.
Can an executive's probation period be renewed?
Yes, once, if an extended branch agreement allows it and the employment contract states it expressly. It then cannot exceed eight months in total. See our guide [an executive's probation period in France](/guides/periode-d-essai-cadre) for the details.
sources
- Insee, Emploi, chômage, revenus du travail, 2025 edition, Dares data (in French) (opens a new window)
- Code du travail, article L1221-19 (Légifrance, in French) (opens a new window)
- Code du travail, article L1221-21 (Légifrance, in French) (opens a new window)
- Code du travail, article L1221-23 (Légifrance, in French) (opens a new window)