Social protection for traders and craftsmen
Verified 31 May 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The sole trader who carries out a commercial or craft activity shall receive social protection in return for the payment of social contributions. We'll outline the rules that apply.
This page is not about the micro-entrepreneur. To find out about the social security scheme of the micro-entrepreneur, you can consult the dedicated card.
The trader or craftsman is subject to the following social contributions and contributions:
- Contribution for sickness and maternity insurance
- Old-age insurance contribution (basic pension and supplementary pension)
- Disability and death insurance contribution
- Contribution of family allowances
- Contribution to vocational training
- Generalized Social Contribution (CSG)
- Social Debt Repayment Contribution (CRDS)
The individual entrepreneur pays the contributions and contributions in 2024 that correspond to the turnover achieved during that year. However, the revenue for the year 2024 is known by the administration only from the 2024 tax return, in other words in May/June 2025. Thus, so-called contributions must be calculated provisional, i.e. calculated on the basis of 2023 income while awaiting 2024 income. Once 2024 revenues are final, their amount is readjusted.
Thus, the contributions and contributions paid by the individual contractor during the year 2024 are taken into account as follows:
- At the time of the 2023 tax return (May/June 2024), contributions made in 2023 and early 2024 are adjusted.
- After the 2023 income tax return, the individual entrepreneur will make contributions and contributions based on 2023 revenues for the remainder of 2024 and for the months preceding the 2024 income tax return.
- Starting with the 2024 tax return(May/June 2025), contributions paid in 2024 are recalculated and adjusted as necessary.
The method of calculation and the rate applied vary according to the type of contribution and social contribution:
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Sickness and maternity insurance contributions
The calculation of sickness and maternity insurance contributions is different depending on whether the entrepreneur is at the beginning of his activity (less than 2 years) or whether he has been in activity for more than 2 years.
Start of activity (less than 2 years)
When the individual entrepreneur starts his activity, he has no revenue known to the administration on which to base the calculation of contributions and provisional contributions. For example, in order to benefit from social protection, lump sums are provided.
In operation for 2 years or more
The income taken into account for the calculation of the contributions corresponds to the turnover which the individual entrepreneur declares for the calculation of his income tax (IR) before the application of deductions and tax exemptions. In other words, it is the following:
- Industrial and Commercial Profits (BIC)
- Premiums paid under group insurance contracts (e.g.: employment loss, pension and supplementary pension)
- Accident at work Optional additional contributions from the individual contractor (e.g. insurance and occupational diseases)
- Non-LTD replacement income (e.g.: daily allowances (IJ) maternity, paternity or sickness).
The income is then reduced by the amount of the contributions that the individual entrepreneur must make. The calculation method is as follows:
(sum of social contribution rates in force x income)/(1 + sum of social contribution rates in force).
Sickness insurance contributions are divided into 2 parts: maternity sickness contributions and sickness daily allowance contributions. A specific rate shall apply to each contribution:
- The rate of maternity health insurance contributions varies according to the amount of income of the individual entrepreneur.
- The rate of contributions for daily allowances shall be fixed. It is equal to 0.50%. Beyond €231,840, this rate shall be increased to 0%.
The sum of these two rates gives the overall rate sickness and maternity insurance contributions.
Old-age insurance contributions
The calculation of maternity health insurance contributions depending on whether the entrepreneur is at the beginning of his activity (less than 2 years) or whether he has been active for more than 2 years.
Start of activity (less than 2 years)
When the individual entrepreneur starts his business, he has no revenue known to the administration on which to base the calculation of his contributions and provisional contributions. For example, lump sums are provided for social protection.
Old-age insurance contributions are divided into 2 parts, the basic pension and the supplementary pension.
1. Basic pension contributions
When the individual entrepreneur starts his business, he has no revenue known by the administration on which to base the calculation of contributions and provisional contributions. For example, lump sums are provided for social protection.
2. Supplementary pension contributions
In operation for 2 years or more
The income taken into account for the calculation of the contributions corresponds to the turnover which the individual entrepreneur declares for the calculation of his income tax (IR) before the application of deductions and tax exemptions. In other words, it is the following:
- Industrial and Commercial Profits (BIC)
- Premiums paid under group insurance contracts (e.g.: employment loss, pension and supplementary pension)
- Accident at work Optional additional contributions from the individual contractor (e.g. insurance and occupational diseases)
- Non-LTD replacement income (e.g.: daily allowances (IJ) maternity, paternity or sickness).
The income is then reduced by the amount of the contributions that the individual entrepreneur must make. The calculation method for calculating this amount is as follows:
(sum of social contribution rates in force x income)/(1 + sum of social contribution rates in force).
Old-age insurance contributions are divided into 2 parts, the basic pension and the supplementary pension.
1. Basic pension contributions
The amount of the basic pension contributions varies according to the amount of income of the individual entrepreneur.
2. Supplementary pension contributions
Disability-death contributions
Start of activity (less than 2 years)
Where the sole trader begins its activity, it has no revenue known to the administration on which to base the calculation of contributions and provisional contributions. For example, lump sums are provided for social protection.
In operation for 2 years or more
The income taken into account for the calculation of the contributions corresponds to the turnover which the individual entrepreneur declares for the calculation of his income tax (IR) before the application of deductions and tax exemptions. In other words, it is the following:
- Industrial and Commercial Profits (BIC)
- Premiums paid under group insurance contracts (e.g. employment loss, retirement and supplementary pension)
- Accident at work Optional additional contributions from the individual contractor (e.g. insurance and occupational diseases)
- Non-LTD replacement income (e.g.: daily allowances maternity, paternity or sickness).
The income is then reduced by the amount of the contributions that the individual entrepreneur must make. To calculate this amount, the method is as follows:
(sum of social contribution rates in force x income)/(1 + sum of social contribution rates in force).
The rate of disability and death contributions is 1.30%. It applies to incomes less than or equal to €46,368. Beyond this amount, the rate is 0%.
Contributions of family allowances
The income taken into account for the calculation of the contributions corresponds to the turnover which the individual entrepreneur declares for the calculation of his income tax (IR) before the application of deductions and tax exemptions. In other words, it is the following:
- Industrial and Commercial Profits (BIC)
- Premiums paid under group insurance contracts (e.g. employment loss, retirement and supplementary pension)
- Accident at work Optional additional contributions from the individual contractor (e.g. insurance and occupational diseases)
- Alternative earnings not related to a long-term assignment (LTA) (for example: daily allowances maternity, paternity or sickness).
The income is then reduced by the amount of the contributions that the individual entrepreneur must make. To calculate this amount, the method is as follows: (sum of social contribution rates in force x income)/(1 + sum of social contribution rates in force).
The amount of family allowance contributions varies according to the income of the self-employed worker.
Contribution to vocational training (MFF)
The amount of the contribution to vocational training varies according to the activity carried out by the entrepreneur: commercial activity (trader) or craft activity (craftsman).
Merchant
The contribution to vocational training (PSC) is a flat rate: the individual entrepreneur pays the same amount, regardless of the amount of his income.
The amount of the contribution to the vocational training of the individual contractor shall be equal to 0.25% of €46,368.
It is thus equal to €116.
The point of contact for the individual entrepreneur who carries out a craft activity for his vocational training is the Trade, Industry and Services Training Insurance Fund (Agency).
Please note
For more information, you can consult our dedicated card the contribution to the vocational training of individual entrepreneurs.
Artisan
The contribution to vocational training (PSC) is a flat rate: the individual entrepreneur pays the same amount, regardless of the amount of his income.
The amount of the contribution to the vocational training of the individual contractor shall be equal to 0.29% of €46,368.
It is thus equal to €134.
The point of contact for the individual entrepreneur who carries out a craft activity for his vocational training is the insurance fund for training of craft companies (FAFCEA).
Please note
For more information, you can consult our dedicated card the contribution to the vocational training of individual entrepreneurs.
Generalized Social Contribution (CSG) and Social Debt Repayment Contribution (CRDS)
Start of activity (less than 2 years)
Where the sole trader begins its activity, it has no revenue known to the administration on which to base the calculation of contributions and provisional contributions. For example, in order to benefit from social protection, lump sums are provided.
In operation for 2 years or more
The income taken into account for the calculation of the contributions corresponds to the turnover which the individual entrepreneur declares for the calculation of his income tax (IR) before the application of deductions and tax exemptions. In other words, it is the following:
- Industrial and Commercial Profits (BIC)
- Premiums paid under group insurance contracts (e.g.: employment loss, pension and supplementary pension)
- Accident at work Optional additional contributions from the individual contractor (e.g. insurance and occupational diseases)
- Non-LTD replacement income (e.g.: daily allowances maternity, paternity or sickness.)
- Amount of social contributions payable by the individual contractor
The overall rate of CSG: titleContent and the 0.5% varies according to the income on which it is applied.
There are exemptions and special rules for tax deduction. To learn more about the CSG: titleContent and the 0.5%, you can consult the dedicated card.
The Urssaf provides a simulator to help the individual entrepreneur calculate the amount of his social contributions based on his income:
The methods of payment of social security contributions vary depending on whether the entrepreneur starts his activity, has started his activity for at least 1 year or ceases his activity.
Start of activity
The individual entrepreneur does not pay social contributions during at least 90 days which follow the beginning of its activity. The date on which he must pay his first social contributions and contributions is 1re monthly or quarterly maturity after 90 days.
Example :
An individual entrepreneur starts his business on June 5, 2024. He or she does not have to pay social contributions during the 90 days following the start of his or her activity, i.e. until September 2, 2024. He will pay his first social payments from 1re due september 2:
- Monthly payment: 5 or 20 September 2024
- For quarterly payments: November 5, 2024
The individual entrepreneur starting his business may request the deferral of payment of social contributions and contributions during the first 12 months of activity. He may spread the payment over a maximum period of 5 years. The amount paid each year shall be equal to or greater than 20% the amount of social contributions and contributions due in respect of those 12 months.
FYI
Entrepreneurs who start their business may, under certain conditions, receive aid for the creation or takeover of a company (Acre). This arrangement allows it to be totally or partially exempt from social contributions during the First 12 months of activity. For more information, see the dedicated card.
The individual entrepreneur must pay his social contributions every month.
Within 15 days of filing his tax return, he receives a schedule for the payment of his contributions and contributions.
The schedule shall contain the following information:
- Adjustment of contributions and provisional contributions for the previous year
- Adjustment of contributions and provisional contributions for the current year
- Calculation of contributions and provisional contributions for the following year
- Where necessary, the spreading period and the calculation of the amount of the annual fractions resulting from such spreading
The sole trader may choose to pay his contributions on the 5th or 20th of the month. He must indicate via his online space his choice to the Urssaf. In the absence of choice, he will have to pay his contributions on the 5th of the month. It may change the frequency of its maturities only once a year.
The sole trader may also opt for its online space for quarterly payment its contributions and contributions. He must do so by the 1er december for application from 1er January of the following year. It may also opt in the course of the year and request that the option apply from the next quarterly maturity which shall follow its request by at least 30 days.
The quarterly maturities are as follows:
- February 5
- May 5
- August 5
- November 5
Warning
The contribution for vocational training (MFF) is paid in one installment to the November due date of the current year.
Social contributions and contributions must be paid by dematerialized means. The entrepreneur has several options:
- He can subscribe to direct debit via his online space (manage account > manage payment data > choose direct debit).
- He can decide to pay his own contributions and contributions at the opening of each deadline via his online service.
- He can opt for payment by credit card. However, if a direct debit mandate has already been registered, payment by card will only be possible for debts or debits following a check. In addition, if he has registered an electronic payment mandate, payment by card will not be offered to him.
FYI
In the event of difficulties in paying contributions and contributions on time, the sole trader may ask for payment periods.
In operation for at least 1 year
The individual entrepreneur must pay his social contributions every month.
Within 15 days of filing his tax return, he receives a schedule for the payment of his contributions and contributions.
The schedule shall contain the following information:
- Adjustment of contributions and provisional contributions for the previous year
- Adjustment of contributions and provisional contributions for the current year
- Calculation of contributions and provisional contributions for the following year
- Where necessary, the spreading period and the calculation of the amount of the annual fractions resulting from such spreading
The sole trader may choose to pay his contributions on the 5th or 20th of the month. He must indicate via his online space his choice to the Urssaf. In the absence of choice, he must pay his contributions and contributions on the 5th of the month. It may change the frequency of its maturities only once a year.
The sole trader may also opt for its online space for quarterly payment its contributions and contributions. He must do so by the 1er december for application from 1er January of the following year. It may also opt in the course of the year and request that the option apply from the next quarterly maturity which shall follow its request by at least 30 days.
The quarterly maturities are as follows:
- February 5
- May 5
- August 5
- November 5
Warning
The contribution for vocational training (MFF) is paid in one installment to the November due date of the current year.
Social contributions and contributions must be paid by dematerialized means. The entrepreneur has several options:
- He can subscribe to direct debit via his online space (manage account > manage payment data > choose direct debit).
- He can decide to pay his own contributions and contributions at the opening of each deadline via his online service.
- He can opt for payment by credit card. However, if a direct debit mandate has already been registered, payment by card will only be possible for debts or debits following a check. In addition, if he has registered an electronic payment mandate, payment by card will not be offered to him.
FYI
In the event of difficulties in paying contributions and contributions on time, the sole trader may request payment deferrals.
Termination of activity
In the event of cessation of activity, the sole trader must declare the income for which the calculation of the final contributions and provisional contributions has not been made. It must do so within 90 days that follow the radiation via its online space.
Once this declaration has been made, he finds himself in one of the following situations:
- He receives a notice of appeal asking him to pay a supplement to social contributions. It has 30 days to regularize the situation.
- He has paid too many social contributions and contributions. He will be then refunded within 30 days.
To learn more about discontinuing your business, you can visit the dedicated card.
The individual entrepreneur pays social contributions and receives social protection in return. The nature of the coverage and the benefits that flow from it vary depending on the contribution or contribution:
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Sickness and maternity insurance
The sole trader who pays his contributions may be reimbursed for part of his health costs, daily allowances (IJ) or benefits on the birth or adoption of a child (paternity or maternity).
1. Health costs
In the event of an accident, sickness or maternity, the sickness and maternity insurance shall cover part of the health costs of the sole trader. It is generally necessary to take a mutual in addition in order to have a refund supplement.
These include reimbursement of medical consultation costs or certain drugs.
2. Sickness benefits
The individual entrepreneur who ends up in inability to work for a certain period (accident, illness, temporary physical incapacity) may benefit of daily allowances allowing him to keep part of his income.
The individual entrepreneur cannot receive more than 360 daily allowances for one or more work stoppages over a period of 3 years.
It is also possible for the individual entrepreneur to benefit from a therapeutic part-time and to receive a supplement to income after a full-time compensated work stoppage.
A daily allowance may be granted for a limited duration whether the professional activity can lead to an improvement in the health of the individual entrepreneur. This is also the case if it helps to accompany rehabilitation or vocational rehabilitation. They are limited to 90 days. This period may be extended in special circumstances for a maximum of 360 daily allowances.
FYI
The sole trader must pay maternity insurance contributions for at least 1 year to receive benefits in the event of sickness. It must also justify the payment of a minimum contribution at the time of medical determination of the incapacity to work.
In order to receive these daily allowances, the individual contractor must send his work stoppage within 48 hours of the interruption of workto his primary health insurance fund.
The amount of the daily allowance shall be equal to 1/730e of average annual income from employment (RAAM: titleContent). It corresponds to the average of the income of the individual entrepreneur taken into account for the calculation of his social contributions over the 3 years preceding the work stoppage.
However, the RAAM cannot exceed €46,368, so the daily allowance may not exceed €63.52.
In the case of therapeutic part-time work, the amount of the daily allowance shall be reduced by half.
There's a waiting period 3 days before the daily subsistence allowance is paid to the sole trader. In other words, he does not receive any income during the first 3 days of his work stoppage.
This waiting period applies only to the 1er work stoppages resulting from an accident.
3. Accidents at work and occupational diseases
The individual contractor does not contribute towards insurance covering accidents at work and occupational diseases.
Accident at work Thus, in the event of an illness or occupational disease, he receives the benefits applicable in the event of illness at the same rates and conditions. However, it is possible to subscribe to a individual voluntary insurance with its primary health insurance fund using the following form and leaflet:
Self-employed: application for individual voluntary insurance AT/MP
Who shall I contact
4. Birth or adoption of a child
At the time of the birth or adoption of a child, the individual entrepreneur can benefit from several benefits that will depend on the situation:
- In case of maternity:
- The duration of the maternity leave extends from 6 weeks before the expected date of delivery to 10 weeks after delivery. During this period, she shall receive daily rest benefits if she has stopped work for at least 8 weeks. When 2 children are previously born, maternity leave extends from 8 weeks before the expected date of delivery to 18 weeks after delivery.
- One fixed maternity rest allowance of a value equal to the monthly social security ceiling of the year in which the first payment was made shall be paid. For the year 2024, it is equal to €3,864. A first half is paid at the start of maternity leave and the second half is paid after the mandatory minimum 8 weeks of maternity leave. When delivery occurs before the end of 7e in the month of pregnancy, the allowance is paid in one installment after delivery.
Where the amount of the RAAM: titleContent in the last 3 years is less than 4,208.80, the amount of the allowance shall be 10% the monthly ceiling for social security. For the year 2024, this amount is equal to 386.40. - Ofdaily allowances equal to €63.52 throughout the period of maternity leave shall also be paid. This amount is valid for per diem payments that started in 2024. Allowances are paid in case of work stoppage for at least 8 weeks including 6 after birth.
- In the case of paternity:
- The individual entrepreneur benefits from a paternity leave up to 25 days. In the case of multiple births, this period increases to 32 days.
- It also has a daily allowance equal to €63.52 for the duration of paternity leave. This amount is valid for per diem payments that started in 2024. The minimum period for payment of the daily allowance shall be 7 days. The duration of compensation can be divided into 3 periods of leave (of at least 5 days each) taken within 6 months of the birth of the child.
- In the event of adoption:
- The individual entrepreneur benefits from a childcare leave up to 25 days. In the case of multiple births, this period increases to 32 days.
- It also has a fixed maternity rest allowance of a value equal to the monthly ceiling of the year in which the payment is made. For the year 2024, this amount is equal to €3,864. The allowance is paid in one installment on the date of the child's arrival in the family.
- It also has a daily allowance of rest equal to €63.52 for the duration of the adoption leave.
Warning
The individual entrepreneur has to pay social security contributions for at least 6 months on the presumed date of childbirth or adoption in order to receive these benefits.
Old-age insurance
The old-age insurance contributions paid by the self-employed person enable him to obtain a basic retirement pension and one supplementary retirement pension at the time of cessation of its activity. However, he has to meet certain conditions, including the age of separation and the number of quarters worked to obtain full retirement pensions.
For all the rules regarding the retirement of an individual contractor, you can consult the dedicated card.
Warning
The contractor must apply for at least a pension 6 months before date to which he wishes to cease its activity.
Disability and death insurance
The individual contractor who pays disability-death contributions may receive a pension in the event of of total invalidity or of partial incapacity to the trade.
However, the individual contractor must meet the following conditions:
- He must not have reached the legal retirement age.
- They must have a reduced work or income capacity of at least 2/3.
- It must have been insured for at least 12 months.
- He must have paid enough.
The individual contractor's disability or incapacity must be ascertained by a medical officer of the primary health insurance fund.
The application for a disability pension depends on the situation in which the individual contractor finds himself:
- If he's off work : there is no need to make any request, it is the medical officer who will determine whether he can receive a pension based on his health condition.
- If he's not off work : he must make a request on the advice of his treating doctor. The medical officer of the health insurance fund will then summon him to study his health.
The individual entrepreneur can apply for a pension on his account améli.fr:
The individual contractor is classified by the health insurance fund according to the type of disability. The category to which he belongs determines the amount of the invalidity pension to which he is entitled.
When the application for a pension is accepted, the contractor receives a response under 2 months with a pension document, the effective date, the category and the amount of the pension.
In the event of a refusal, a notification shall be sent to the contractor. It shall specify the reasons for the refusal and the possible remedies.
FYI
For more information on the disability pension, you can consult the guide of the health insurance fund:
Guide “I am accompanied in case of disability”
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Pour en savoir plus
Family allowances
The individual entrepreneur who pays family allowance contributions can access family benefits managed by the family allowance fund (CAF).
Depending on his personal situation, he will be entitled to a number of benefits, such as housing subsidies or income supplements.
Applications for family benefits are to be made to the FCA on which the individual contractor depends:
Vocational training
An individual entrepreneur who pays contributions for his vocational training shall receive a right to continuing vocational training. He may assert his right to training and receive the payment of his requests for training from a training insurance fund or a skills operator (Opco: titleContent). To benefit from this support, it must be up-to-date contribution payment.
For more information on the vocational training of individual entrepreneurs, you can consult the dedicated card.
FYI
Entrepreneurs cannot benefit from taking charge of their training if they have not declared any turnover during the 12 consecutive months which precede the lodging of his application to take charge.
Generalized Social Contribution (CSG) and Social Debt Repayment Contribution (CRDS)
The CSG: titleContent and the CRDS: titleContent are taxes, paid by the individual entrepreneur. They don't allow him to to receive benefits directly unlike other social contributions and contributions.
The CSG is a permanent contribution which participates in the financing of social security.
The CRDS is a temporary contribution with the aim of paying down social security debt. Indeed, the latter is destined to disappear once the social debt has been repaid.
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The public service accompanying companies
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Family allowances
Health insurance contributions
Calculation of health insurance contributions
Payment and calibration of social contributions
Social contributions of self-employed persons
Contributions old-age supplementary pension insurance merchants, craftsmen, unregulated liberals
Disability-Death Contribution
Disability-death contribution base
Basic old-age pension insurance contributions
Rates of contributions for family allowances
Start of activity
Termination of activity
Sick daily allowances
Paternity, maternity, adoption
Disability-death daily allowance
Disability-death
Vocational Training Rate
Vocational training
Basis of assessment of the contribution due from self-employed non-agricultural workers
Online service
Ministry of Economy
https://www.mesdroitssociaux.gouv.fr/accueil/
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)