Are you an international student or a freelancer looking for flexible work options in France while still enjoying the benefits of salaried employment? Portage salarial, or umbrella employment, might be the perfect middle ground. This hybrid system lets you work independently for your clients while being legally employed by a specialized company called a “société de portage.”
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how portage salarial works, its pros and cons, salary structures, and how it could even support your residence permit application in France.
Portage salarial is a unique employment model regulated under Article L1254-2 of the French Labour Code. It’s an “employer-on-record” solution where you are legally employed by a portage company (umbrella company), but work independently for your own clients.
It combines the autonomy of freelancing with the security of a traditional employment contract (CDI or CDD).
There are three contracts involved:
Once established, the portage company becomes your formal employer. They invoice your client, handle all tax and social contributions, and then pay you a monthly salary. You're still free to manage your own workload and choose your clients.
Here’s how your income is processed:
Deducts their management fees (5–15%).
Deducts employer social security contributions (~42%).
Deducts any business expenses.
To comply with French labor laws, your total billing should ensure a gross monthly salary of at least €2,517.13, including allowances and bonuses.
📌 Commission and Fees
Portage companies charge an administrative fee:
🏥 Mutuelle & Medical Checkups
As your employer, the portage company must offer a health insurance plan (mutuelle). You can choose to stay with theirs or opt out by proving you’re covered elsewhere. They also handle occupational health requirements like mandatory medical checkups.
🏖️ Paid Holidays
You are entitled to 2.5 paid leave days per month worked—just like any traditional employee in France.
✅ Benefits of Portage Salarial
📄 CDI contract – Ideal for visa and residency renewals.
🧾 Simplified admin – No URSSAF or tax paperwork on your own.
🧘 Work-life balance – Flexibility to choose projects and clients.
🧑💼 Social benefits – Includes unemployment rights, retirement, healthcare.
🌍 Visa Support – Can be used for Talent Passport, Carte de Séjour Salarié, Blue Card, etc.
💵 Professional expenses reimbursed – Including coworking spaces, transport, tools.
⚠️ Limitations to Consider
⚙️ Portage company commission reduces your net income (~50% of invoice).
🔐 Not allowed in regulated professions like doctors, lawyers, and notaries.
📉 Requires a sufficiently high client billing to be eligible.
👤 Real Experience: Working with Prium Portage
“I've worked with Prium Portage for over 2 years. Their low commission, English-speaking support, and user-friendly web portal stood out. I even received 20 hours of free French training, which was incredibly helpful as an expat. Highly recommended if you want a stress-free freelancing journey in France!”
— Stephen Autade, SKEMA Business School
📧 Reach out for referrals: stephen.autade@skema.edu
🏢 Top Portage Companies in France
🔎 For a complete list, check:
FEPS – Fédération des entreprises de portage salarial
PEPS – Syndicat des professionnels de l’emploi en portage salarial
📚 Additional Resources
Service Public – Portage Salarial
Guide du Portage
Legifrance – Labour Code Articles L1254-1 to L1254-31
If you’re an international student or a skilled professional in France looking to maintain freedom while ensuring stability and visa eligibility, portage salarial can be a game-changer. It helps you focus on building your career or business while your administrative work is managed by professionals.
Looking to get started with Portage Salarial or have questions about visas and permits in France?
💬 Contact our experts at www.eduxskills.com or drop us a message on Instagram @eduxskills.
