If you've moved to France and want to work freelance, sell products, or run a small business, you'll need to register as an auto-entrepreneur (officially called micro-entrepreneur since 2016).
The problem? The entire registration process is in French — and the official INPI portal is notoriously confusing, even for native French speakers.
This guide explains exactly what you need to do, and how to do it without speaking a word of French.
What is an auto-entrepreneur?
An auto-entrepreneur (micro-entrepreneur) is a simplified self-employment status in France. It's ideal for:
- Freelancers and consultants
- Small business owners
- Expats wanting to work legally in France
- Digital nomads based in France
It comes with simplified accounting, low social charges, and no VAT below certain thresholds. In 2026, the turnover caps are €77,700/year for services and €188,700 for goods. Below €36,800/year (services) or €91,900 (goods), you're also exempt from charging VAT.
What you need to register
- Valid passport or national ID
- Proof of French address (utility bill, rent contract, etc.)
- Your business activity description
- A French bank account (not required to register, but needed to receive payments)
The registration process
The official registration portal is formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr (INPI's guichet unique), which is entirely in French. You'll need to:
- Create an account
- Describe your business activity using French APE/NAF codes
- Fill in your personal details
- Submit and wait 1–4 weeks for your SIRET number
Alternatively, Simpleo handles the entire process in English. You answer simple questions in your language, we translate and file directly with INPI as your authorised representative (mandataire), and you get your SIRET number without touching a single French form. Currently free during our beta launch.
After registration
Once registered, you'll receive:
- SIRET number — your unique business identifier
- APE/NAF code — classifies your business activity
- Access to the URSSAF portal to declare turnover and pay social charges
You'll need to declare your turnover monthly or quarterly (even if it's zero) and pay social charges of approximately 22–24% on your earnings.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Wrong activity code — choosing the wrong APE code can affect your tax rate
- Not setting up URSSAF promptly — once you receive your SIRET, activate your URSSAF account to declare turnover on time
- Not declaring zero turnover — you must declare even months with no income, or face penalties
Bottom line
Registering as auto-entrepreneur in France is straightforward once you understand the process — but the language barrier is a real obstacle for expats. Whether you DIY it on the INPI portal or use an English-language service, getting registered is worth it for the legal peace of mind.
Related guides: INPI Registration: Complete Expat Guide · What is a Mandataire? · How Long to Get Your SIRET?