What is it? This simplified business setup, launched in 2009, is open to everyone—students, employees, or the unemployed—and sees 1,200 new registrations daily, proving its popularity.
Why the boom? Register your business in just 10 minutes on the official site (www.auto-entrepreneur.fr). Pay social contributions monthly or quarterly based solely on your turnover. No revenue? No charges.
"Without this status, I never would have launched," says Alice, a mobile beautician scooting around Bordeaux (www.beautybike.net). After training, I couldn't picture myself stuck in a traditional salon, waiting years for a promotion. Here, zero turnover means zero loss. But note: while registration is free, building a business demands full investment.
Before diving in: You can't deduct professional expenses from turnover. Skip it if you need heavy equipment, frequent travel, or rented space. Exceed annual caps (€32,900 or €82,200, depending on activity)? Time to upgrade your status.
For guidance: Union of Auto-Entrepreneurs (www.union-auto-entrepreneurs.com), Federation of Auto-Entrepreneurs (www.federation-auto-entrepreneur.fr), and www.auto-entrepreneur.fr.
