In brief:
- The French professional cleaning market generated over 20 billion euros in 2024 and employs around 500,000 workers, according to the Fédération des Entreprises de Propreté (FEP).
- Onet leads the sector with 2 billion euros in revenue and 75,000 employees, followed by ISS France and GSF each exceeding 1 billion euros.
- Standard office cleaning rates range from 18 to 28 euros HT per hour in 2026, with annual contracts allowing savings of 10 to 20% on the standard hourly rate.
- NF Services Propreté AFNOR certification is the most reliable selection criterion to evaluate a provider’s seriousness.
The Professional Cleaning Market in France in 2026
Professional cleaning is a structured and heavily regulated sector in France. With over 20 billion euros in annual revenue and around 500,000 employees working for more than 17,000 companies, cleaning is one of the country’s largest private employers.
Demand is driven by several converging trends: reinforced hygiene requirements following the Covid-19 period, growing environmental standards in tender documents, and the widespread outsourcing of support functions in businesses.
Key sector figures
- 20.3 billion euros in revenue in 2024 (source: FEP, 2024)
- 500,000 employees active in cleaning companies
- 17,000 companies operating in the French market
- 80% of employees work part-time
- The top five groups account for approximately 40% of market share
Comparison of the 5 Best Cleaning Companies
| Criterion | Onet | ISS France | GSF | Elior Services | Derichebourg Multiservices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | €2 bn | €1.5 bn | €1.4 bn | €400 m | €600 m |
| Workforce (France) | 75,000 | 45,000 | 60,000 | 6,000 | 30,000 |
| NF Services certification | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| ISO 9001 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Industrial cleaning | Yes | Yes | Limited | No | Yes |
| National coverage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Specialty | Generalist | Multiservices | Generalist | Healthcare/food | Industry/aerospace |
Onet: Historical Leader in Professional Cleaning
Onet was founded in 1860, making it one of the oldest service companies in France. The family-owned group (Reinier family) is today a multi-service player operating in cleaning, security, engineering and occupant services.
Key characteristics
- Revenue: approximately 2 billion euros, of which 1.3 billion from cleaning
- Workforce: 75,000 employees in France
- Sectors covered: office/tertiary, industry, healthcare, transport, nuclear
- Certifications: NF Services Propreté, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (environment)
- Geographic presence: over 350 branches across the country
Onet stands out through its ability to handle complex markets (hospitals, food production, nuclear plants) and its decentralized regional organization, which ensures local presence while drawing on national resources.
ISS France and GSF: Two Strong Competitors
ISS France
ISS France is the French subsidiary of Danish group ISS A/S, present in over 30 countries with revenues exceeding 10 billion euros globally. In France, ISS positions its offer around integrated facility management: cleaning, catering, reception and technical maintenance bundled in a single contract.
This model suits large companies and public organizations looking to reduce the number of service providers. ISS France employs around 45,000 people in France and holds NF Services Propreté certification.
GSF
GSF is a French family-owned group, founded in 1963, employing around 60,000 people with revenue of approximately 1.4 billion euros. Its positioning is resolutely generalist, with a strong presence in office buildings, retail, mass distribution and public facilities.
GSF’s family structure provides organizational stability and a proximity service culture valued by SMEs. The group has 150 branches and also covers French overseas territories.
Elior Services and Derichebourg: Sector Specialists
Elior Services
Elior Services is the cleaning division of the Elior Group, primarily known for collective catering. With 6,000 employees dedicated to cleaning, Elior Services operates mainly in healthcare facilities, care homes, university campuses and industrial food processing sites.
Derichebourg Multiservices
Derichebourg Multiservices focuses on industrial, aerospace, defense and energy sectors. With 30,000 employees, the group provides industrial cleaning, decontamination and technical maintenance for high-constraint sites (Airbus, EDF, SNCF).
“Using an NF Services-certified cleaning provider reduces non-compliance findings during internal workplace audits by 30%.” AFNOR Certification study, 2023
Selection Criteria
| Document to request | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Civil liability insurance certificate | Covers damage caused on the client’s site |
| URSSAF compliance certificate | Confirms social contributions are up to date |
| Professional card of cleaning employees | Mandatory in France for cleaning agents |
| NF Services certification | Voluntary quality benchmark, key differentiator |
Rates and Budget in 2026
| Type of service | Hourly rate HT (2026) | Typical frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Standard office cleaning | €18–28/h | Daily to weekly |
| Window cleaning | €20–35/h | Monthly to quarterly |
| Deep clean / end of lease | €30–50/h | One-time |
| Bio-cleaning (healthcare) | €25–40/h | Daily |
| Industrial cleaning | €22–45/h | Variable |
Annual contracts allow 10 to 20% savings compared to the standard hourly rate. In the Paris area, rates are typically 15 to 25% higher than in other regions due to higher labor costs.
Companies that also manage personal care services for employees or elderly relatives will recognize the same selection framework: certifications, insurance, sector-specific collective agreements. For a full breakdown of senior care costs and allowances, the article on home care for seniors covers available funding mechanisms in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cleaning company in 2026?
Onet is the historical leader of professional cleaning in France with 2 billion euros in revenue and 75,000 employees. ISS France and GSF are strong alternatives for large organizations, while Elior Services and Derichebourg Multiservices stand out in industrial and agri-food sectors. The choice depends on the industry, floor space and required certifications.
How much does a professional cleaning company charge for offices?
The hourly rate for standard office cleaning is between 18 and 28 euros HT in 2026, depending on frequency, floor area and location. Annual contracts allow negotiated flat-rate pricing. One-time operations such as end-of-lease or deep cleaning are billed between 30 and 50 euros HT per hour.
How to choose a professional cleaning company?
Four criteria are key: certifications obtained (ISO 9001, NF Services Propreté AFNOR), civil liability insurance coverage, sector-specific experience and client follow-up quality (reporting, dedicated contact). Verify compliance with the French collective agreement for cleaning companies (CCN Propreté).
What certifications should be required from a cleaning company?
The NF Services Propreté certification issued by AFNOR is the French benchmark. It guarantees compliance with quality, safety and environmental standards. ISO 9001 certifies a quality management system. The Ecocert or EU Ecolabel indicates the use of environmentally responsible products, an increasingly common requirement in public and private tenders.
What is the difference between one-time cleaning and a maintenance contract?
One-time cleaning covers a single operation: deep clean, window cleaning, post-construction cleaning. A maintenance contract schedules regular visits (daily, weekly) at a defined frequency, generally more cost-effective per hour. Most mid-sized companies opt for an annual contract for better budget predictability.