What is the APE code (NAF code)?

Verified 21 January 2026 - Entreprendre Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The EPA code (main activity carried out) identifies the main industry of a company or business. It must appear on employee pay slips.

EPA means Main activity carried out.

The APE code is composed of 4 digits + 1 letter.

It is based on the French National Activity Nomenclature (NAF). That's why it's called sometimes NAF code.

The following simulator allows you to quickly search for the APE code corresponding to a particular job or activity:

Which APE code for which activity?

Example :

Hairdressing activity, the APE code is then 96.02A (the same as for hairdresser-barber)

Activity of driver of VTC, the APE code is 49.32Z (the same as for taxis)

Plumber activity, the APE code is 43.22A

Electrician activity, the APE code is 43.21A

The French National Classification of Activities (NAF) can be consulted on the INSEE website.

Warning  

One new version NAF 2025is being deployed. From 1er January 2027, all companies and establishments will have their EPA codes modified according to the new NAF 2025.

It is possible to consult its new EPA code and to request a possible rectification. To do this, simply inform the Siren number the company in the tool made available on the site Sirene.gouv.fr. The new EPA Code appears with the designation “2025 EPA Code” and “2025 Activity Label”.

Consult and rectify the new 2025 EPA Code (entered into force in 2027)

The APE code identifies the main business line on either company.

This activity must be the one actually carried out.

Please note

If the company has several activities, the main activity is determined either by the turnover or by the number of employees associated with each, depending on the nature of the activity.

The determination of the main activity depends on the nature of the activities:

  • If all activities are industrial : the main activity is the one with the most employees.
  • If the company carries out activities commercial or services provided multiples: the main activity is the one with the highest turnover.
  • If the company carries out both an activity industrial and an activity commercial : as a general rule, if the share of industrial turnover represents at least 25 % of total turnover, the activity will be considered as industrial. But beware, this is not a systematic criterion; the situation is studied pragmatically, case by case.

The company carrying out several activities has onlyonly one EPA code.

The EPA code shall be included on the pay slips employees.

It can also help determine the National Collective Agreement (NCC) which applies to employees. This is then an indicator and not an automatic match.

The EPA Code has no legal value. It cannot be advanced to justify or not the application of certain rights.

When creating the company

It is allocated automatically by theInsee: titleContent during theregistration of the company (i.eregistration of a micro-company, or that of a, orregistration of a business).

The contractor has no request to be carried out to obtain it.

This identifier is in his personal space on the Window of company formalities as soon as his application for registration is accepted.

Window of company formalities

For any questions on the assignment of numbers and identification code of a company, it is possible to contact Inpi Direct.

Who shall I contact

For any APE code search

In the case of a general APE code search, the following simulator may be used:

Which APE code for which activity?

If the EPA code does not correspond or no longer corresponds to the main activity of a company, it is possible to request its modification.

Two situations are possible: either the company has changed its main activity, or the APE code assigned by INSEE is not correct.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Change of activity

The company's core business has changed.

The change request of the main activity and therefore of the EPA code must be carried out on the company formalities window.

Window of company formalities

Please note

If company is a business, it is also necessary think about changing your social purpose.

Fixed an anomaly

The company has not changed its main activity but the contractor considers that the EPA code assigned to it needs to be corrected.

A report must be made to INSEE using the following online service:

Request modification of the main activity code (APE code, NAF)

Who can help me?

The public service accompanying companies

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