How to Register as a Micro-Entrepreneur in France (Step-by-Step Guide)

Who Can Register as a Micro-Entrepreneur?

Most adults living in France can apply, but your visa or residency status matters.

You can register if you are:

• A French resident (EU or EEA citizen)

• A non-EU citizen with the correct residency permit, including:

  • VLS-TS “Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale”

  • Talent Passport categories that allow self-employment

  • Some family visas (check conditions)

  • Long-stay visas that explicitly allow “activités non salariées”

You cannot register if:

• You are in France on a visitor visa that forbids work

• You are a tourist (Schengen 90-day stay)

• Your residency card explicitly says employment not permitted

Tip: Always check your visa label or OFII sticker — it will say if self-employment is allowed.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

You’ll need a few basic items before you can begin:

✔️ Passport or national ID
✔️ Proof of address in France (lease, utility bill, attestation d’hébergement)
✔️ Residency permit if you’re a non-EU citizen
✔️ A French bank account (RIB) — not always required at registration but needed later
✔️ A clear description of your business activity

Bonus: Scan or photograph everything — URSSAF may request attachments.

Step 2: Register Online with URSSAF

The official registration portal is here:
👉 autoentrepreneur.urssaf.fr

This is where nearly all micro-entrepreneur registrations happen.

What the form will ask you for:

• Your identity details

• Your address

• Your residency status

• Your email + phone

• Your activity (service, artisan, or commercial)

• Whether you opt into income tax withholding

• Whether you opt into social security for self-employed workers

Choosing your activity is important

• Service providers (writers, translators, consultants) → URSSAF

• Commercial activity (buying/selling goods) → URSSAF

• Artisans (hairdressers, craftsmen, photographers) → must also register with Chambre de Métiers

You’ll also choose your APE/NAF code, which classifies your activity. It doesn’t lock you in forever but should match what you actually do.

Step 3: Submit and Wait for Confirmation

Once your form is submitted, URSSAF will send you:

Within ~1–2 weeks

📌 Your SIRET number — your official French business ID
📌 Confirmation of enrollment
📌 Links to your account on URSSAF

Your SIRET is essential — you can’t invoice clients without it.

Step 4: Open (or confirm) Your Bank Account

Micro-entrepreneurs must have a separate bank account for business if they earn over €10,000/year for two years in a row.
Even under that threshold, it’s highly recommended to avoid mixing personal and business finances.

A simple French online bank (Boursorama, Revolut, Bunq) is enough.

Step 5: Start Working — and Declare Your Revenue

This is the part many expats don’t realise:
👉 You must declare your turnover monthly or quarterly, even if it’s €0.

What happens when you declare

• You tell URSSAF how much you made

• They calculate your social charges

• You pay immediately (direct debit or card)

Tax and social charge rates depend on your activity:

• Services: ~22%

• Commercial: ~12%

• Artisans: ~22%

Important: If you fail to declare, URSSAF may penalise you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Choosing the wrong activity category
🚫 Forgetting to declare revenue (even €0 months)
🚫 Not validating your identity when requested
🚫 Missing prefecture permissions for non-EU residents
🚫 Not keeping copies of invoices (required for audits)

Useful Extras to Know

• Micro-entrepreneurs can earn up to €77,700 (services) or €188,700 (commerce) as of 2025.

• You do not charge VAT unless you exceed certain thresholds.

• You can switch from micro-entrepreneur to a company structure later.

Conclusion

Becoming a micro-entrepreneur is one of the easiest ways for expats to start working legally in France, but the process — especially the forms — can still feel overwhelming.

If you want a shortcut, FranceForms offers a complete Micro-Entreprise Starter Pack with:

• English translations

• Step-by-step instructions

• Document checklists

• A sample business description

• A first-invoice template

• A tax declaration guide

👉 [Download the Micro-Entreprise Starter Pack]