French auto-entrepreneur simulator explained: social contributions 2026 for creators

As an auto-entrepreneur in France, you pay 21.1% to 24.6% social contributions on your revenue — not your profit. The official URSSAF simulator at mon-entreprise.urssaf.fr calculates exactly what you keep after cotisations sociales. Scroll to the 5-step checklist to get started.

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Definitions: auto-entrepreneur and social contributions

Auto-entrepreneur (micro-entrepreneur): In one sentence: The French equivalent of a sole proprietorship with simplified administration, revenue caps of €77,700 (services) or €188,700 (sales), and flat-rate social contributions on gross revenue.
Cotisations sociales (social contributions): In one sentence: Mandatory payments to the French social security system that fund health insurance, pension contributions, and disability coverage — as an auto-entrepreneur, you pay a fixed percentage of your revenue.
URSSAF: In one sentence: The French collection agency for social contributions, comparable to HMRC's National Insurance in the UK or the Social Security Administration in the US.
ACRE (Aide aux Créateurs et Repreneurs d'Entreprise): In one sentence: A startup discount that lets you pay 50% less cotisations sociales in your first year as an auto-entrepreneur — provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
Versement libératoire: In one sentence: Optional monthly income tax (1% to 2.2% extra) that you pay on top of your social contributions, eliminating the need for an annual IR tax return for this income.

What does the URSSAF auto-entrepreneur simulator actually calculate?

Short answer: The simulator shows your net income after deducting all mandatory social contributions, accounting for your activity type and any ACRE discount.

The official URSSAF auto-entrepreneur simulator (updated March 2026) asks for three inputs: your expected revenue, your activity type (BIC/BNC), and whether you have ACRE eligibility. Based on that, it calculates:

Your cotisations sociales (21.1% for liberal professions, 12.3% for sales)
Your CFP contribution (Contribution à la Formation Professionnelle)
Any versement libératoire
Your estimated net income

What the simulator doesn't do: it doesn't account for your UK or US tax obligations. If you're resident in the UK or US but invoice as a French auto-entrepreneur, the rules of the relevant tax treaty apply — and that requires a separate calculation. For US creators, the IRS Foreign Earned Income Exclusion may be relevant; UK creators should check HMRC's guidance on foreign income.

What rates apply to auto-entrepreneurs in 2026?

Short answer: Service providers (BNC) pay 21.1% cotisations sociales, traders (BIC vente) pay 12.3%, and artisans (BIC prestation) pay 21.2%.

Activity type	Cotisations sociales 2026	CFP contribution	With ACRE (year 1)	Revenue cap	Typical creator activity
BNC (liberal services)	21.1%	0.2%	10.55%	€77,700	Coaching, consulting, copywriting
BIC prestation de services	21.2%	0.3%	10.6%	€77,700	Photography, video editing
BIC vente de marchandises	12.3%	0.1%	6.15%	€188,700	Merch, physical products
Artisanal activities	21.2%	0.3%	10.6%	€77,700	Handmade products
Location meublée	Variable	0%	N/A	€77,700	Airbnb, vacation rentals
Mixed activities	Weighted average	Per activity	50% discount	Combined max	Coaching + merch sales

How does this work for different creator types?

Scenario 1: UK content creator with French brand deals

You live in London but have a French cosmetics client paying €3,000/month for sponsored content. As a BNC auto-entrepreneur, you pay 21.1% cotisations = €633/month. You keep €2,367 before UK income tax. Note: you'll need to report this income to HMRC and claim relief under the UK-France tax treaty to avoid double taxation.

Scenario 2: Digital nomad with French tax residence

You live in Lyon and earn €4,500/month from online coaching. With ACRE in your first year, you pay just 10.55% = €475/month in cotisations. From year two, this rises to €950/month (21.1%). The simulator clearly shows this difference.

Scenario 3: US YouTuber selling French merch

You sell t-shirts via a French fulfilment partner for €8,000/month. As BIC vente, you pay 12.3% = €984/month in cotisations. Because this is sale of goods (not services), the lower rate applies — but the physical location of your inventory also determines where you're VAT-liable. US creators should also consider IRS self-employment tax implications.

Scenario 4: Freelance photographer with mixed activities

You do photoshoots (BIC prestation, 21.2%) and sell prints (BIC vente, 12.3%). With €2,000 in services + €1,000 in sales, you pay: (€2,000 × 21.2%) + (€1,000 × 12.3%) = €424 + €123 = €547/month total. The simulator calculates this automatically when you select "activités mixtes."

Scenario 5: UGC creator just starting out

You earn €800/month from your first UGC gigs. With ACRE, you pay 10.55% = €84/month. Without ACRE, this would be €169/month. The €85/month difference adds up to €1,020 in your first year — enough for a new camera lens.

5-step checklist: using the auto-entrepreneur simulator

Determine your activity type — BNC for consulting/coaching, BIC prestation for artisanal services, BIC vente for product sales. Check the URSSAF page if you're unsure.
Estimate your monthly revenue — Be realistic. The simulator works with gross revenue including any VAT you collect (if you're above the franchise threshold).
Check your ACRE status — Haven't had ACRE in the past 3 years? Are you unemployed or retraining? You may qualify for the 50% discount in year one.
Enter the numbers — Go to the simulator, select your options, and view your net. Compare scenarios with and without ACRE, with and without versement libératoire.
Translate to your home country situation — French cotisations may be creditable against your UK National Insurance or deductible from your US tax liability under the relevant tax treaty. Keep the simulator output as documentation.

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Edge cases and borderline scenarios

You have both UK/US and French clients

The auto-entrepreneur status only applies to revenue you invoice through your French business. UK or US clients can continue to be invoiced through your home-country sole proprietorship or LLC. Keep the administration strictly separate — URSSAF conducts random audits.

You exceed the revenue cap mid-year

Exceeding €77,700 (services) or €188,700 (sales) doesn't immediately end your auto-entrepreneur status. Only if you're above the cap for two consecutive years are you required to convert to régime réel. The simulator doesn't account for this — that's manual work.

You get paid in US dollars from American platforms

URSSAF calculates in euros. You must convert your dollar income at the ECB daily rate on the invoice date. Save screenshots of the exchange rate used. The simulator only accepts euro amounts.

You're already self-employed in the UK or US

You can have a UK sole trader registration or US LLC and a French auto-entreprise simultaneously. The French social contributions give you French health coverage — but if you're resident in the UK or US, you remain liable for National Insurance or self-employment tax there. This can create overlaps. Consult a cross-border tax specialist.

You work from a French DOM-TOM (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion)

The cotisations rates differ for overseas territories. The standard simulator gives mainland rates. For DOM-TOM, you need the specific URSSAF outre-mer calculator.

Note: this information is based on the URSSAF simulator as of March 2026. Rates and rules may change. Always consult official sources for the most current figures.

Disclaimer and sources

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Every creator's situation is different — especially with cross-border income. Consult a specialist tax adviser for personal guidance.

Frequently asked questions

What is an auto-entrepreneur in France?

An auto-entrepreneur (also called micro-entrepreneur) is the French equivalent of a sole proprietorship with simplified administration. You pay flat-rate social contributions on your gross revenue, with a cap of €77,700 for services or €188,700 for sale of goods.

What are cotisations sociales?

Cotisations sociales are mandatory payments to the French social security system. They fund your health insurance, pension contributions, and disability coverage. As an auto-entrepreneur, you pay a fixed percentage of your revenue.

What is ACRE and who qualifies for it?

ACRE (Aide aux Créateurs et Repreneurs d'Entreprise) is a startup discount that lets you pay 50% less cotisations sociales in your first year as an auto-entrepreneur. You qualify if you haven't had ACRE in the past 3 years and you're starting a new business.

What's the difference between BIC and BNC?

BIC (Bénéfices Industriels et Commerciaux) applies to commercial and artisanal activities like product sales or photography. BNC (Bénéfices Non Commerciaux) applies to liberal professions like coaching, consulting, and copywriting. The cotisations rates differ by category.

What does the URSSAF auto-entrepreneur simulator do?

The official URSSAF simulator calculates your net income after deducting all mandatory social contributions. You enter your expected revenue and activity type, and the simulator shows exactly what you keep — accounting for any ACRE discount.

How much cotisations sociales do I pay as a service provider in 2026?

As a service provider (BNC), you pay 21.1% cotisations sociales on your gross revenue, plus 0.2% CFP contribution. With ACRE in your first year, you pay only 10.55%. On revenue of €3,000/month, that means €633/month without ACRE or €317/month with ACRE.

Can I be self-employed in the UK/US and France simultaneously?

Yes, you can have a UK sole trader registration or US LLC and a French auto-entreprise. The social contributions in France give you French health coverage, but if you're resident in the UK or US, you remain liable for National Insurance or self-employment tax there. This requires careful record-keeping and possibly advice from a cross-border tax specialist.

What happens if I exceed the revenue cap?

Are French cotisations sociales deductible in the UK or US?

French social contributions may be creditable against UK National Insurance under the UK-France social security agreement, or potentially deductible from US taxes under the US-France tax treaty. Keep the simulator output and payment receipts as documentation for your tax return.

Does the URSSAF simulator work for DOM-TOM territories?

The standard auto-entrepreneur simulator shows mainland rates. For overseas territories like Guadeloupe, Martinique, or Réunion, different rates apply. Use the specific URSSAF outre-mer calculator at urssaf.fr for those regions.

How does versement libératoire work?

Versement libératoire is optional monthly income tax (1% to 2.2% extra on top of your social contributions). If you choose this option, you don't need to file an annual IR tax return for this income. It's only beneficial if your total income is low enough to stay under the progressive brackets.

How do I convert dollar income for French administration?

URSSAF calculates in euros. You must convert your dollar income from American platforms at the ECB daily rate on the invoice date. Keep screenshots of the exchange rate used as evidence for any audits.

Getting started

The URSSAF auto-entrepreneur simulator is your starting point for clear numbers — but the real work lies in understanding your complete tax situation. Especially as a UK or US creator with French income, you're dealing with two tax systems that don't automatically align.

Start with the simulator, note your expected net, and discuss the cross-border implications with a tax adviser who knows both systems.

Further reading: Check out our posts on EU VAT for digital services and tax obligations for creators in Europe.

Written by Andreas, Founder at LinkDash.