Micro-entrepreneur: what you need to know
Verified 21 February 2026 - Entreprendre Service Public / (Prime Minister)
The status of micro-entrepreneur (or self-entrepreneur) allows you to practice in your own name. It is an individual business that benefits from a simplified tax and social system. The creation of a micro-company is faster and present fewer constraints than a business.
When one wishes to exercise a activity only, individual business is a very good option. As a micro-entrepreneur, you set up an individual business called a micro-company because your turnover does not exceed a certain amount.
The creation and management of the company are simpler than those of a business. For example, you don't need to write articles of association or build up a share capital.
Individual business, unlike business, does not result in the creation of a legal personality. It is attached to your person, which is why it is not it is not possible to have multiple individual businesses (1 individual = 1 individual business).
You can engage in a commercial, craft or liberal activity.
When you work as a micro-entrepreneur, your personal and professional assets are automatically separated.
Your professional heritage is composed of everything that is useful for your professional activity. This is for example your business premises, your business bank account.
Your personal assetsas for it, it is composed of everything that does not fit into your professional heritage: for example, your booklets, your second home.
This separation protects your personal assets from your possible professional debts. However, if you do not comply with your tax or social security obligations, the tax authorities or social security bodies can obtain repayment of their claims on your two assets.
The sheet ‘ Separation of the professional and personal assets of the individual entrepreneur » specifies the applicable regulations.
To ensure that income received in 2026 (and reported in 2027) benefits from the micro-company tax system (also known as the scheme) micro-fiscal), the turnover achieved in the previous 2 years (2024 and 2025) must not have exceeded certain thresholds.
These thresholds vary according to the nature of the activity carried out.
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Sale of goods, articles, supplies and foodstuffs to be taken or consumed on the spot
You generate industrial and commercial profits (BIC) imposed on income tax (IR). Your turnover must not have exceeded€203,100 in the previous 2 years. In case of double overrun, you are subject to a real tax regime (normal or simplified).
You also have the possibility to opt to benefit from a real tax regime, even if you meet the turnover threshold.
For more information, you can consult the sheet: (BIC): actual tax regime.
Housing supply (except furnished rental)
You generate industrial and commercial profits (BIC) imposed on income tax (IR). Your turnover must not have exceeded€203,100 in the previous 2 years. In case of double overrun, you are subject to a real tax regime (normal or simplified).
You also have the possibility to opt to benefit from a real tax regime, even if you meet the turnover threshold.
For more information, you can consult the sheet: (BIC): actual tax regime.
Provision of services
You generate industrial and commercial profits (BIC) imposed on income tax (IR). Your turnover must not have exceeded€83,600 in the previous 2 years. In case of double overrun, you are subject to a real tax regime (normal or simplified).
You also have the possibility to opt to benefit from a real tax regime, even if you meet the turnover threshold.
For more information, you can consult the sheet: (BIC): actual tax regime.
The micro-company system simplifies tax obligations. For more information, you can consult our fact sheet on the micro-company tax system.
You are subject to the social regime of self-employed persons. The calculation and amount of your social security contributions vary depending on your business and turnover.
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Sale of goods, articles, supplies and foodstuffs to be taken or consumed on the spot
The amount of your social security contributions is equal to 12.3% of your turnover. When your turnover is equal to €0so you don't pay social security contributions. You can, however opting to pay minimum contributions in order to benefit from social protection even in the absence of turnover.
Services (BIC) and Furnished housing supply
The amount of your social security contributions is equal to 21.2%of your turnover. When your turnover is equal to €0so you don't pay social security contributions. You can, however opting to pay minimum contributions in order to benefit from social protection even in the absence of turnover.
Supply of furnished tourist accommodation
The amount of your social security contributions is equal to 6% of your turnover. When your turnover is equal to €0so you don't pay social security contributions. You can, however opting to pay minimum contributions in order to benefit from social protection even in the absence of turnover.
Regulated liberal profession (under CIPAV)
The amount of your social security contributions is equal to 23.2% of your turnover. When your turnover is equal to €0so you don't pay social security contributions. You can, however opting to pay minimum contributions in order to benefit from social protection even in the absence of turnover.
The micro-entrepreneur is affiliated with the Cipav: titleContent if he is engaged in any of the following professions:
- Architect, interior designer, construction economist, prime contractor, expert surveyor
- Consulting Engineer
- Ski instructor, mountain guide, mountain guide
- Osteopath, psychologist, psychotherapist, occupational therapist, dietician, chiropractor, psychomotor therapist
- Artist not affiliated with the French artists' association
- Expert in motor vehicles, expert before the courts, judicial representative for the protection of adults
- Guidebook
Unregulated liberal profession
The amount of your social security contributions is equal to 25.6% of your turnover. When your turnover is equal to €0so you don't pay social security contributions. You can, however opting to pay minimum contributions in order to benefit from social protection even in the absence of turnover.
To learn more about your social contributions, you can consult the sheet on the social regime of the micro-entrepreneur.
You can pass on your individual business to a member of your family, to one employee or to a third party (e.g. a business). The transmission may be carried out as free (donation) or as expensive (assignment or business intake).
On the other hand, several problems arise:
- What do you have to transmit (models, know-how, technologies, website, brand, customer file, supplier file...)?
- How to set the transfer price? The micro-entrepreneur who does not keep accounts and has only his turnover to present will have difficulties in assessing the profitability of his business. The sale price will be discussed and negotiated with the buyer.
- Will your customers and suppliers follow the company if it is no longer you at the controls?
Micro-entrepreneur | Individual business | SASU | EURL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of associates | No partner | No partner | 1 | 1 |
Leader | Contractor | Contractor | ||
Share capital | No share capital | No share capital | ||
Taxation system | Taxes on income (IR). Possible option for IS | Taxes on businesses (IS). Possible option for IR | Taxes on income (IR). Possible option for IS | |
Executive's social plan |
| |||
Social Titles | No social titles | No social titles | Actions | Shares |
Transmission of company | Free | Free | Free | Free |
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Micro-company tax regime
Separation of assets
Social regime of micro-company