France hubs

Samuel

Smart Contract Auditor

FranceFrench (Français)€ EUR

Samuel is a freelance smart contract auditor living in France, balancing high-stakes blockchain security work with the complexities of the French tax and social security system. This hub covers the essential national frameworks, tax portals, and professional protections he navigates daily.

Keeping my business legal and tax-compliant

Managing freelance income and social contributions is the biggest administrative burden for a tech freelancer.

Micro-entrepreneur status

Auto-entrepreneur

national · URSSAF

Who qualifies
Freelancers with annual turnover below €77,700 for services.
What you get
Simplified accounting and flat-rate social contribution calculation.
What it actually costs you
Free registration; 21.1% to 23.1% of turnover paid as social charges.
Common gotcha
You must declare turnover monthly or quarterly even if it is zero.

Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises

national · Direction Générale des Finances Publiques

Who qualifies
All self-employed individuals regardless of income.
What you get
Local business tax contribution.
What it actually costs you
Annual tax based on the rental value of your workspace.
Common gotcha
First year is usually exempt, but you must file the declaration.

Impots.gouv.fr Professional Space

national · Direction Générale des Finances Publiques

Who qualifies
All tax-paying professionals in France.
What you get
Centralized portal for VAT, income tax, and corporate filings.
What it actually costs you
Requires a digital certificate or login credentials.
Common gotcha
The interface is notoriously complex; use the 'Messagerie sécurisée' for help.

ACRE (Exemption for new businesses)

Aide à la Création ou à la Reprise d'une Entreprise

national · URSSAF

Who qualifies
New business creators meeting specific income criteria.
What you get
Partial exemption from social security contributions for the first year.
What it actually costs you
Automatic application upon registration if criteria are met.
Common gotcha
The exemption rate is sliding and depends on your income bracket.

Intra-community VAT number

Numéro de TVA intracommunautaire

national · Direction Générale des Finances Publiques

Who qualifies
Freelancers providing services to EU-based clients.
What you get
Ability to invoice without VAT under the reverse charge mechanism.
What it actually costs you
Request via the professional tax portal.
Common gotcha
Forgetting to include this number on invoices to EU clients leads to tax penalties.

CFE Exemption for low turnover

national · Direction Générale des Finances Publiques

Who qualifies
Micro-entrepreneurs with turnover below €5,000.
What you get
Total exemption from CFE payment.
What it actually costs you
Must file the declaration form 1447-C-SD.
Common gotcha
Exemption is not automatic; you must declare your turnover correctly.

Staying healthy while working remotely

Even as a freelancer, I need robust health coverage and access to the national system.

Assurance Maladie

Ameli

national · Sécurité Sociale

Who qualifies
All residents working in France.
What you get
Reimbursement of medical expenses (usually 70%).
What it actually costs you
Requires a Carte Vitale.
Common gotcha
Reimbursements are slow; always keep your bank details updated.

Complémentaire Santé (Mutuelle)

private · Private Insurance Providers

Who qualifies
Anyone covered by the state system.
What you get
Covers the 'ticket modérateur' (the 30% not paid by the state).
What it actually costs you
Monthly premium based on coverage level.
Common gotcha
Check if your contract covers 'frais réels' for dental/optical.

Médecin Traitant Declaration

national · Assurance Maladie

Who qualifies
All adults in the French health system.
What you get
Optimal reimbursement rates for specialist visits.
What it actually costs you
A simple form signed by your GP.
Common gotcha
Without a declared GP, specialist reimbursements drop significantly.

Mon Espace Santé

national · Ministère de la Santé

Who qualifies
All holders of a Carte Vitale.
What you get
Centralized digital health records.
What it actually costs you
Activation via your Carte Vitale number.
Common gotcha
You must manually opt-in to share documents with doctors.

Indemnités Journalières

national · Assurance Maladie

Who qualifies
Freelancers who have paid social contributions for a minimum period.
What you get
Income replacement during illness.
What it actually costs you
Medical certificate sent within 48 hours.
Common gotcha
The waiting period for freelancers is often longer than for employees.

Examen de prévention en santé

national · Assurance Maladie

Who qualifies
All insured persons.
What you get
Free comprehensive health check-up.
What it actually costs you
Appointment booking at a local health center.
Common gotcha
Often overlooked; it's a great way to get a full screening for free.

Upskilling and professional networking

Auditing smart contracts requires constant learning; I need to fund my certifications.

Compte Personnel de Formation

national · Caisse des Dépôts

Who qualifies
Anyone who has worked in France.
What you get
Annual credit (€500/year) to spend on certified training.
What it actually costs you
Free account; requires FranceConnect login.
Common gotcha
Credits expire if you don't use them or if the rules change.

FranceConnect

national · DINUM

Who qualifies
Any French resident with a tax or health account.
What you get
Single sign-on for all government services.
What it actually costs you
None.
Common gotcha
Keep your credentials secure; it is the master key to your digital identity.

BPI France Support

national · BPI France

Who qualifies
Tech entrepreneurs and freelancers.
What you get
Access to business coaching and innovation grants.
What it actually costs you
Application process can be lengthy.
Common gotcha
Focus on the 'Deeptech' or 'Digital' sections for relevant grants.

CCI Business Advice

Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie

national · CCI France

Who qualifies
Registered business owners.
What you get
Consultation on business scaling and legal structures.
What it actually costs you
Membership fees included in your business taxes.
Common gotcha
They are a great resource for networking, not just paperwork.

Afdas Training Fund

national · Afdas

Who qualifies
Freelancers in creative or digital sectors.
What you get
Funding for specialized technical training.
What it actually costs you
Requires proof of professional activity.
Common gotcha
Must apply before the training starts.

Service Public Professional Portal

national · Direction de l'information légale et administrative

Who qualifies
Everyone.
What you get
The definitive guide to all French legal and administrative procedures.
What it actually costs you
None.
Common gotcha
Always check the 'Dernière mise à jour' date on articles.

Living and working from home

My home is my office; I need to know about housing rights and energy subsidies.

Aide Personnalisée au Logement

national · CAF

Who qualifies
Low-income earners, including some freelancers.
What you get
Monthly housing allowance.
What it actually costs you
Income declaration to the CAF.
Common gotcha
Freelance income is assessed based on previous years, which can be tricky.

Energy Voucher

Chèque énergie

national · Ministère de la Transition écologique

Who qualifies
Households based on taxable income.
What you get
Voucher to pay electricity or gas bills.
What it actually costs you
Automatic if you file your taxes.
Common gotcha
It is sent by mail; don't throw it away thinking it's junk.

Property Tax

Taxe foncière

national · Direction Générale des Finances Publiques

Who qualifies
Property owners.
What you get
Local tax contribution.
What it actually costs you
Annual payment.
Common gotcha
Rates vary significantly by municipality.

MaPrimeRénov'

national · Anah

Who qualifies
Homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades.
What you get
Grant for insulation, heating, or ventilation.
What it actually costs you
Requires certified contractors.
Common gotcha
Apply BEFORE starting any work.

Mandatory Tenant Insurance

private · Insurance Companies

Who qualifies
All tenants.
What you get
Liability and property coverage.
What it actually costs you
Annual premium.
Common gotcha
You must provide proof of insurance to your landlord annually.

Household Waste Tax

national · Local Authorities

Who qualifies
Property occupants.
What you get
Waste collection services.
What it actually costs you
Usually included in property tax or rent.
Common gotcha
Often confused with other local taxes.