Discrimination

Verified 10 March 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Have you experienced a difference in treatment because of your background, gender or disability? This is a discrimination. Ec offense is recognized to be committed by an individual (natural person or moral), by a depositary agent of public authority or by a person entrusted with a public service mission. There are devices that allow you to report these facts and ensure that the perpetrator is punished. We present you the information to know.

By an individual

Most cases of discrimination occur in the following areas:

  • Work (refusal to hire, sanction, dismissal)
  • Access to housing
  • Access to services (nightclub, restaurant, taxi, bank credit, plane, etc.)
  • Education (registration, admission, evaluation, etc.)
  • Economic activities (e.g. boycotting all products from one country discriminates against the producing companies and suppliers of those products because they belong to a particular nation).

Discrimination may be direct or indirect:

  • Discrimination is direct when clearly visible. The perpetrator is aware that he makes a decision based on a criterion prohibited by law and he openly displays it. For example, denying access to young children in a restaurant.
  • Discrimination is indirect when the author intentionally makes a decision that appears neutral but ultimately puts some people at a disadvantage compared to others. For example, a bank only accepts a French identity card as proof of identity. This discriminates against French residents of foreign nationality.

Discrimination is constituted if a person justifies a difference in treatment on the basis of intentionally on any of the following criteria:

  • Origin
  • Sex
  • Family situation
  • Pregnancy
  • Physical appearance
  • Particular vulnerability related to the economic situation
  • Name
  • Place of residence
  • State of health
  • Loss of autonomy
  • Disability
  • Genetic characteristics
  • Morals
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity
  • Age
  • Political opinions
  • Trade union activities
  • Quality of whistleblower
  • Quality of facilitator of whistleblower or a person in connection with a whistleblower
  • Spoken language (ability to speak in a language other than French)
  • Ethnicity
  • Nation
  • Presumed breed
  • Religion 

Warning  

In some situations, a specific ground may justify discrimination or differential treatment. For example, a modeling position may be reserved for a man or a woman.

Furthermore, a difference in treatment on a statutory ground does not constitute discrimination. For example, the prohibition of the sale of alcohol to minors is not discriminatory.

If you are a victim or witness of discrimination, you can report these facts. It is advisable to gather as much evidence as possible to demonstrate this infringement.

FYI  

There are specific devices for reporting a discrimination at work.

Moreover, within higher education, any public institution must put in place a mechanism to report discrimination.

Any person who is a victim or witness of a discriminatory act may report to the members of the "equality and diversity" mission set up in all public higher education institutions.

Please note

The report is confidential.

If a staff member becomes aware of a discriminatory practice inside or outside the establishment and linked to university life, he must immediately report it to a qualified person.

All reports are sent to the warden of the institution.

If the report is justified, the director shall remove discriminatory signs, registrations and facilities that are visible to staff and users of the university or school. The report may also lead to disciplinary proceedings against the discriminator.

What evidence is there to demonstrate discrimination?

You can prove discrimination by using the following:

  • Identity and contact details of the perpetrator (surname, first name, email address, telephone number, etc.)
  • Screenshots (SMS, images sent by messages, etc.)
  • Copying emails
  • Audio or video recordings
  • Result of a testing
  • Witness Attestation (with their full identity)
  • Medical certificate.

All these documents must be dated.

This evidence is essential if you report the facts or if you file complaint.

How do I report discrimination to law enforcement?

As a victim or witness of discrimination, you can alert the police or gendarmerie via instant messaging. Ec chat allows dialog with a police officer or gendarme trained for this type of infringement.

Report a case of discrimination to law enforcement

FYI  

At any time, the chat history can be erased.

As a victim, you can contact an anti-discrimination association. This association can help you in your efforts, especially with the Defender of Rights (for example, the association can join you when you bring the matter before the Defender of Rights).

Some associations may become civil parties in your place, provided you have given them your consent. The purpose of this civil party is to defend your rights so that you can be compensated.

Associations that have been regularly registered for more than 5 years may become civil parties when they pursue a specific objective:

  • They fight the racism or assist victims of discrimination based on their national, ethnic, racial or religious origin
  • They combat discrimination based on sex, morals, sexual orientation or gender identity
  • They are intended to defend or assist sick, disabled or elderly people.

If you are a victim or witness of discrimination, you may free of charge the Defender of Rights by phone or online.

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By phone

You can contact the Defender of Rights at 3928 Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 7 pm (excluding public holidays).

Online

You can contact the lawyers of the Defender of Rights by instant messaging (chat):

Submit a case of discrimination by instant messaging to the Defender of Rights

Access is provided for deaf or hard of hearing persons:

Report discrimination to the Defender of Rights (specific device for deaf or hard of hearing people)

Referral to the Defender of Rights may lead to three solutions:

  • A mediation : appointed by the Defender of Rights, the Ombudsman hears the persons concerned. Mediation may not exceed 3 months, renewable 1 time.
  • A transaction : the Defender of Rights proposes to the perpetrator one or more sanctions (payment of a fine, compensation to the victim, publicity of the facts). In case of agreement, the transaction must be validated by the public prosecutor.
  • A legal action : if the Defender of Rights is aware of facts of such a nature as to constitute a infringement or if the author refuses the settlement, the Defender of Rights refers the matter to the public prosecutor.

FYI  

If you refer the matter to the Defender of Rights, you can also file a complaint within 6 years of the facts. Thus, the Defender of Rights will be able to intervene before criminal courts to present its analysis of the file.

If you are a victim of discrimination, you can file a complaint against the perpetrator.

If the perpetrator represents a legal person (example: a nightclub manager), you can also call into question.

The time limit for filing a complaint is Six years from the facts.

The complaint can be filed with the police station or gendarmerie brigade of your choice. It may also be sent by post to public prosecutor.

Please note

As soon as you file a complaint, you can call on a lawyer. If your income does not allow you to pay his fees, you can possibly apply for legal aid.

On site

To file a complaint, you must go to police station or to the gendarmerie of your choice.

Who shall I contact

Police or gendarmerie services are obliged to register your complaint if you are a victim of a infringement.

It's the public prosecutor who decides on the action to be taken on the complaint (investigation, filing without follow-up...).

By post

You can file a complaint with the public prosecutor.

To do this, you must send a letter to court of the place of the offense or of the domicile of the offender.

Your mail should include the following:

  • Your marital status and full contact details (address and telephone number)
  • Detailed account of the facts, date and place of the offense
  • Name of the alleged perpetrator if you know him (otherwise, the complaint will be filed against X)
  • Name and address of any witnesses to the offense
  • Description and provisional or definitive estimate of injury
  • Your proof documents: medical certificates, work stoppages, photographs, videos, various invoices, statements...

You can use the following mail template:

File a complaint with the public prosecutor

You can send your complaint by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (preferably), by simple letter or by followed letter.

You can also file your complaint directly at the reception desk of the court.

In any case, a receipt is sent to you as soon as the public prosecutor's office has registered your complaint.

FYI  

In case of discrimination at work, you can also apply to the labor court for compensation for your damage (e.g. reinstatement in your job).

As a matter of principle, only the perpetrator may be tried and sentenced by the correctional court.

Nevertheless, if the representative of a legal person if discrimination is committed, the legal person may be held criminally liable.

Example :

The manager of a nightclub discriminates. In this case, it is possible to engage criminal liability from the nightclub. In this way, it may be ordered to pay a fine. The court decision may be published in the press.

The natural persons risk penalties different from those incurred by legal persons.

Natural person

Penalties of imprisonment and fines are provided for the perpetrators of discrimination. These penalties are increased when discrimination is committed in a place that welcomes the public (e.g. a restaurant) or for the purpose of preventing access to such a place.

General case

A person who discriminates may be sentenced to up to 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 of a fine.

He may also be sentenced to a additional penalty (example: dissemination of the conviction against him).

Discrimination in a place welcoming the public

If the discrimination is committed in a place that welcomes the public or to prevent access to such a place, the perpetrator shall be punished by 5 years' imprisonment and €75,000 of a fine.

He may also be sentenced to a additional penalty (e.g. dissemination of the sentence against him, temporary or permanent closure of one of his establishments).

Legal entity

Penalties of imprisonment and fines are provided for the perpetrators of discrimination. These penalties are increased when discrimination is committed in a place that welcomes the public (e.g. a restaurant) or for the purpose of preventing access to such a place.

General case

The legal person shall be liable to a fine equal to €225,000.

It also risks additional penalties, in particular the publication of the court decision in the written press.

Discrimination in a place welcoming the public

If the discrimination is committed in a place welcoming the public or to prevent access to such a place, the legal person shall be liable to a fine of €375,000.

It also risks additional penalties, in particular the publication of the court decision in the written press.

By a public official

Discrimination may be directed at a natural person or a legal person. This infringement occurs when a public official (e.g. a police officer) or a person entrusted with a public service mission (e.g. a bus driver) relies on a discriminatory criterion for:

  • Deny the benefit of a right granted by law. For example, a prefectural officer refuses to hand over a residence permit to a person who is legally entitled to benefit from it
  • Or hinder the normal exercise of an economic activity (industrial and/or commercial activity). For example, a mayor encourages the municipal services to boycott the products of a company located in another municipality. There is indirect discrimination based on place of residence.

Discrimination may be direct or indirect:

  • Discrimination is direct when clearly visible. The perpetrator is aware that he makes a decision based on a criterion prohibited by law and he openly displays it. This is the case, for example, of the mayor who boycotts products from a foreigner country.
  • Discrimination is indirect when the author intentionally makes a decision that appears neutral but ultimately puts some people at a disadvantage compared to others. For example, a commanding officer writes a memo stating that only candidates from a certain municipality can apply for a firefighter position. In this case, there is indirect discrimination based on place of residence.

Discrimination is upheld if the public authority depositary or public service officer makes his decision on the basis of intentionally on any of the following criteria:

  • Origin
  • Sex
  • Family situation
  • Pregnancy
  • Physical appearance
  • Particular vulnerability related to the economic situation
  • Name
  • Place of residence
  • State of health
  • Loss of autonomy
  • Disability
  • Genetic characteristics
  • Morals
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity
  • Age
  • Political opinions
  • Trade union activities
  • Quality of whistleblower
  • Quality of facilitator of whistleblower or a person in connection with a whistleblower
  • Spoken language (ability to speak in a language other than French)
  • Ethnicity
  • Nation
  • Presumed breed
  • Religion 

If you are a victim or witness of discrimination, you can report these facts. It is advisable to gather as much evidence as possible to prove this offense.

What evidence is there to demonstrate discrimination?

You can prove discrimination by using the following:

  • Identity and contact details of the perpetrator (surname, first name, email address, telephone number, etc.)
  • Screenshots (SMS, images sent by messages, etc.)
  • Copying emails
  • Audio or video recordings
  • Result of a testing
  • Witness Attestation (with their full identity)
  • Medical certificate.

All these documents must be dated.

This evidence is essential if you report the facts or if you file complaint.

How to report an act of discrimination to the competent authorities?

The mechanisms for reporting discrimination differ depending on the perpetrator of the offense.

General case

As a victim or witness of discrimination, you can alert the police or gendarmerie via instant messaging. Ec chat allows dialog with a police officer or gendarme trained for this type of infringement.

At any time, the chat history can be erased.

Report a case of discrimination to law enforcement

FYI  

Some public bodies set up special mechanisms to enable victims or witnesses of discrimination to report such acts. For example, the SNCF: titleContent created an alert platform for reporting discrimination.

Discrimination by a constable or police officer

If you are a victim or witness of discrimination by a policeman, you can report to the Inspectorate General of the National Police (IGPN).

If the discriminator is a gendarme, you can report to the Inspectorate General of the National Gendarmerie (IGGN).

Your report is reviewed by an IGPN or IGGN department. If this service finds that discrimination has been committed, it can forward your report to the public prosecutor.

As a victim, you can contact an anti-discrimination association. This association can help you in your efforts, especially with the Defender of Rights (for example, the association can join you when you bring the matter before the Defender of Rights).

Some associations may become civil parties in your place, provided you have given them your consent. The purpose of this civil party is to defend your rights so that you can be compensated.

Associations that have been regularly registered for more than 5 years may become civil parties when they pursue a specific objective:

  • They fight the racism or assist victims of discrimination based on their national, ethnic, racial or religious origin
  • They combat discrimination based on sex, morals, sexual orientation or gender identity
  • They are intended to defend or assist sick, disabled or elderly people.

If you are a victim or witness of discrimination, you may free of charge the Defender of Rights by phone or online.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

By phone

You can contact the Defender of Rights at 3928 Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 7 pm (excluding public holidays).

Online

You can contact the lawyers of the Defender of Rights by instant messaging (chat):

Submit a case of discrimination by instant messaging to the Defender of Rights

Access is provided for deaf or hard of hearing persons:

Report discrimination to the Defender of Rights (specific device for deaf or hard of hearing people)

Referral to the Defender of Rights may lead to three solutions:

  • A mediation : appointed by the Defender of Rights, the Ombudsman hears the persons concerned. Mediation may not exceed 3 months, renewable 1 time.
  • A transaction : the Defender of Rights proposes to the perpetrator one or more sanctions (payment of a fine, compensation to the victim, publicity of the facts). In case of agreement, the transaction must be validated by the public prosecutor.
  • A legal action : if the Defender of Rights is aware of facts of such a nature as to constitute a infringement or if the author refuses the settlement, the Defender of Rights refers the matter to the public prosecutor.

FYI  

If you refer the matter to the Defender of Rights, you can also file a complaint within 6 years of the facts. Thus, the Defender of Rights will be able to intervene before criminal courts to present its analysis of the file.

If you are a victim of discrimination, you can file a complaint against the perpetrator.

The time limit for filing a complaint is Six years from the facts.

The complaint can be filed with the police station or gendarmerie brigade of your choice. It may also be sent by post to the public prosecutor.

Please note

As soon as you file a complaint, you can call on a lawyer. If your income does not allow you to pay his fees, you can possibly apply for legal aid.

On site

To file a complaint, you must go to police station or to the gendarmerie of your choice.

Who shall I contact

Police or gendarmerie services are obliged to register your complaint if you are a victim of a infringement.

It's the public prosecutor who decides on the action to be taken on the complaint (investigation, filing without follow-up...).

By post

You can file a complaint with the public prosecutor.

To do this, you must send a letter to court of the place of the offense or of the domicile of the offender.

Your mail should include the following:

  • Your marital status and full contact details (address and telephone number)
  • Detailed account of the facts, date and place of the offense
  • Name of the alleged perpetrator if you know him (otherwise, the complaint will be filed against X)
  • Name and address of any witnesses to the offense
  • Description and provisional or definitive estimate of injury
  • Your proof documents: medical certificates, work stoppages, photographs, videos, various invoices, statements...

You can use the following mail template:

File a complaint with the public prosecutor

You can send your complaint by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (preferably), by simple letter or by followed letter.

You can also file your complaint directly at the reception desk of the court.

In any case, a receipt is sent to you as soon as the public prosecutor's office has registered your complaint.

FYI  

In case of discrimination at workYou can also apply to the Administrative Court for compensation for your loss (e.g. compensation from the employing administration).

A public official or official entrusted with a public service task who commits discrimination shall be liable to disciplinary and criminal sanctions.

Please note

If the acts were committed by a public official or a public service official, it shall be unable to lodge a complaint against the administration which employs it. Only a staff member who has discriminated in the performance of his duties or duties may be held criminally liable.

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Disciplinary sanctions

Any discrimination committed by a public official in the exercise or in the performance of his duties exposes him to discrimination. disciplinary sanction.

Criminal sanctions

A public official who commits discrimination in the course of his duties or mission shall be liable to a penalty of:

  • 5 years in prison
  • And €75,000 of a fine.

It also risks additional penalties such as the prohibition on exercising the professional activity in the course of which he has discriminated.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • To know your rights as a victim of discrimination

    By post (from France, free and without postage)

    Defender of Rights

    Free answer 71120

    75342 Paris cedex 07

    Warning: attach to your mail photocopies of the documents relating to your referral.

    By email

    Access to contact form

  • To assist you in proceedings against the discriminator

    Lawyer

FAQ