12. Financial Assistance for Starting a Business in France

1. Introduction
2. Start-Up Social Security Relief
3. Regional Development Schemes
4. Bank Finance
5. Assistance with Employee Costs

12.2. Start-Up Social Security Relief - ACRE

This is a national scheme that grants a reduction of social security contributions during the first 12 months of business activity.

The scheme has the acronym ACRE, which stands for Aide à la création ou à la reprise d'une entreprise.

The exact nature of the assistance depends on the tax status of the business you have established, whether the regime réel or that of micro-entreprise.

The scheme should not be confused with a related scheme called 'ARCE' (Allocation d'aide au retour à l'emploi) which is a benefit accorded to those who lose their job and start a new business. The benefit is paid by the unemployment agency France Travail.

i. Who is Eligible?

ACRE applies to new self-employed businesses, including those who set up a limited company and micro-entrepreneurs. Landlords of furnished properties who set up as a micro-entrepreneur are also eligible.

ACRE is granted if:

• Annual professional income below €48,060 (2026)

• The entrepreneur has not benefited from ACRE in the previous 3 years

Applicants must also be in a 'precarious situation'

Those who qualify on this basis are;

• Unemployment benefit recipients;
• Unemployed and registered with France Travail for ≥ 6 months (last 18 months);
• RSA or ASS beneficiaries;
• Under 25 years old;
• Under 30 and disabled or not eligible for unemployment benefits;
• Former employees of companies in liquidation or restructuring.

Perhaps of greatest interest to expatriates is that, in addtion, also eligible are those creating a business in an urban or rural developement area. These areas are widespread in France.

To find out if your commune is within a development you can visit observatoire-des-territoires, but it might also be prudent to obtain confirmation from your local mairie or tax office. Alternatively, the regulation with the list of rural communes as of July 2025 can be seen at France ruralités revitalisation.

ii. Exemption for Micro-Entrepreneurs

ACRE grants a 50% reduction in social contributions for up to 12 months.

Thus, whatever the nature of your activity, and the fixed social security contribution that applies, the ACRE rate is 50% of the standard rate for up to 12 months.

More precisely, the exemption applies until the end of the third calendar quarter following the date of start of activity declared (or registration) of the company. On this basis, it is advisable to start the business at the beginning of the calendar quarter (January, April, July or October) and make an application immediately following completion to maximise the duration of the assistance.

iii. Exemption for Limited Companies (Regime Réel)

The amount of the exemption depends on the annual income, which must be below €48,060 (2026):

• The exemption is 25% if the professional income is less than or equal to 75% of the annual ceiling of the plafond annuel de la Sécurité sociale (PASS), that is to say less than or equal to €36 045;

• The exemption is degressive if the professional income is between 75% and 100% of the annual ceiling of the PASS, that is to say between €36 045 and €48 060.

iv. Application Procedure

The application process is undertaken as part of the busieness registration on the business registration website. You then send application form to URSSAF, the social security agency, with whom you need to open an account.

Next: Regional Development Schemes

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