12. Financial Assistance for Starting a Business in France

1. 12.1. Introduction
2. 12.2. Assistance to Unemployed
3. 12.3. Regional Development Schemes
4. 12.4. Bank Finance
5. 12.5. Assistance with Employee Costs

12.5. Assistance with Employee Costs for a Small Business in France

If you intend to employ staff then there are a bewildering array of contracts and schemes available that grant full or partial exemption from employer social security contributions, or grant financial support towards the wage or salary.

Many of these contracts are centred on young people or those over 50 years of age, particularly those who are unemployed.

More general assistance is available within development areas, of which there are many around France.

Accordingly, before you consider advertising for staff you should make contact with the local ANPE employment office and discuss with them how they may be able to help you.

You will also find that your regional council has assistance and information available on such schemes.

Some of the main schemes are listed on the APCE business start up agency web site.

In the past, the formalities of registration of a new employee with the tax and social security authorities, as well as the calculation and payment of the social security contributions, has been an administrative headache for employers.

The situation has improved of late for small employers with no more than 5 employees, who can make use of a service called Titre Emploi-Service Entreprise (TESE) which streamlines the whole process.