Ready to estimate your take-home pay in France? Use our quick income tool to see an approximate salaire net before you sign any contract. We help independent professionals check numbers in minutes and plan with confidence.
In France, portage salarial is defined in the Labor Code (Article L1251-1). It offers employee-level protection while keeping your autonomy. Expect real-life net pay often near half the billed amount after management fees and social contributions.
Our simulator is a practical service: it gives an estimate based on your inputs. Final figures vary with contract type, fees, reimbursable expenses, and payroll rules. If you want consulting freedom with employee security, this is the fastest way to validate your rates.
Try a simulation now at our income simulator, or use English navigation if you prefer. For further comparison, see our review of top tools here.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- You can estimate take-home pay in minutes with our tool.
- Net pay often sits near 50% of billed amounts after fees.
- The simulator gives estimates; final numbers depend on your contract.
- It suits independent professionals seeking security and autonomy.
- Transparent fees and deductions help you budget reliably.
- Run a simulation at Umalis or use the English site to start.
Estimate your salary fast with the portage salarial income simulator
Test mission pricing in minutes: our calculator turns billed amounts into an indicative paycheck. Enter simple business figures and get clear, actionable results you can use when negotiating with an entreprise cliente.
What you can simulate
Provide your daily rate (TJM), the mission duration in billable days, and the total billed amount excluding VAT (HT). The tool models your expected chiffre affaires to show realistic income scenarios.
What the estimate returns
The simulator gives an indicative gross salary, an estimated net salary (salaire portage), and a breakdown of main deductions: management fees, social contributions and other charges. This clarifies the impact of frais gestion on monthly pay.
Why simulate before you quote
Running scenarios helps you avoid underpricing. You can test conservative and ambitious cases to validate mission economics before signing with an entreprise cliente. If you have a lead, simulate now to confirm profitability.
« Simulating first saves time and reduces pricing risk. »
| Input | Example | Output |
|---|---|---|
| TJM | 600 € | Monthly gross estimate |
| Billable days | 15 | Estimated salaire net |
| Chiffre d’affaires (HT) | 9,000 € | Deduction breakdown |
Run your income estimate now: https://www.umalis.fr/simulateur-de-revenu/ — English access: https://en.umalis.fr/.
How portage salarial works in France
A clear three-way setup explains who does what and why it matters for your work life. The consultant performs the mission, the entreprise cliente buys the service, and a société portage becomes your legal employer.
The practical sequence: from negotiation to payroll
You negotiate scope, timeline and price directly with the client. Then the société portage signs the contrat prestation with the entreprise cliente and a contrat travail with you, the consultant porté.
The entreprise portage invoices the client, collects payment and converts revenue into payroll. This removes the need to open or run your own company while keeping your commercial freedom.
Autonomy with employee protection
You deliver work like an independent consultant. The client does not exercise hierarchical control—there is no subordination—even though you hold a statut salarié.
This setup blends the freedom of independent missions with the social cover of a salarié classique. Later sections explain how billed revenue becomes net pay after management fees and social contributions.
Why choose a société de portage salarial instead of setting up a company
We handle the business side so you can sell your expertise right away.
The main advantage is simple: you do not create a legal structure or absorb fixed overhead. With a société portage salarial, you avoid company formation steps and recurring admin costs.
What is delegated to the company:
- Payroll processing and payslips
- Invoicing support and client billing
- Social declarations and regulatory compliance
- Daily gestion administrative and accounting
Onboarding is fast. Once a mission is agreed, contracts and administrative setup can be completed in days — often within 24 hours. This speed lets you test markets and build references without long setup delays.
This form of employment reduces legal exposure and frees you to focus on client delivery and business development. If you want to exercer portage salarial as a go-to-market option, it is a secure, low-friction path.
| Choice | Setup time | Recurring overhead | Main benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incorporation | Weeks | Office, accounting, insurance | Full control of structure |
| Société portage salarial | Days (often 24h) | Minimal for you | Administrative relief and fast start |
| Sociétés portage salarial (comparison) | Varies by provider | Depends on fee policy | Support, compliance, and pay handling |
Next: we explain what you pay for—management fees and social contributions that shape your net income.
What impacts your salary in portage salarial
Start with the simple math: daily rate × billable days = the revenue you will convert to salary. This chiffre d’affaires is the starting point for every pay calculation.
Your daily rate and billable days
Your chosen rate and how many days you sell determine monthly revenue. Higher rates or more days raise the base before deductions.
Two deduction families
First, frais gestion cover admin, invoicing and support. Second, employee and employer social contributions reduce gross to net because you have an employment status as a salarié.
Expenses, contracts and savings
Eligible frais professionnels can be reimbursed and improve effective take-home pay when rules are followed.
Contract type matters: under a CDI, reserves can smooth income between missions, but periods entre deux are not automatically paid. With a CDD, end-of-contract indemnities can boost pay.
Some companies offer employee savings schemes that peuvent être used to optimize net pay. Always simulate scenarios before you negotiate.
| Factor | Effect on pay | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Chiffre d’affaires | Direct base for payroll | Set realistic TJM and days |
| Frais gestion | Reduces gross revenue | Compare fee policies |
| Frais professionnels | May be reimbursed | Document expenses |
| Contract type | CDI reserve / CDD indemnity | Plan for between-mission gaps |
Validate each lever with our simulator and check regulatory rules on portage salarial regulation before you sign a contrat travail. This helps you budget and negotiate with confidence.
Salary conversion basics: from chiffre d’affaires to salaire net
Knowing how billed amounts translate to take-home pay helps you quote with confidence.
As a rule of thumb, many consultants see a salaire net near half of the billed amount (HT). Use this benchmark as a starting point when you set your TJM and monthly goals.
Why you don’t receive 100% of billed revenue
Your income is processed under a statut salarié. That means both employee and employer social contributions are deducted. This trade-off funds health cover, retirement, unemployment and other protections for salariés portés.
Monthly payroll rhythm and variability
Revenue becomes payroll and is paid monthly. Cash timing differs from typical freelancer invoicing. If you have an entre deux with no chiffre d’affaires, the company is not obliged to pay salary for that period.
Plan ahead: build a pricing buffer or reserve and run scenarios in the simulator to stress-test your monthly cash flow. This approach keeps you independent in delivery while benefiting from employee-level protection.
Understanding frais de gestion in a portage company
Understanding what you pay your umbrella company helps you predict monthly take-home pay. Clear fees directly shape the amount available to convert into salary and influence your cash flow decisions.
What management fees cover
Frais gestion are the company’s compensation for handling gestion administrative, payroll, accounting, legal compliance and consultant support. They fund invoicing, payslips, declarations and client follow-up.
How fee transparency affects your net income
Even small percentage differences change your salaire portage noticeably. Ask for a clear breakdown so you can take account when forecasting monthly income.
Hidden extras to watch for and how to compare offers
- Check for one-off setup fees, special-service surcharges or expense processing rules.
- Compare sociétés portage on an “all-in” basis, not just the headline percentage.
- Request a sample monthly statement and a full fee schedule before signing.
Action: ask any prospective société portage salarial or entreprise portage for a mock payslip and written fee policy. A transparent offer builds trust and helps you objectively compare companies.
For guidance on choosing a provider, see our checklist on how to choose your société de portage.
Employee status and social protection: the security of a salarié classique
You remain commercially independent while gaining the legal protections of an employee. This dual approach gives peace of mind: you manage your clients and missions, and you also receive core social benefits similar to a salarié classique.
French Social Security coverage and health insurance
As an employed consultant, you are covered by the sécurité sociale for healthcare and family benefits. Employer and employee contributions fund these rights, which reduce personal financial risk for medical care.
You also get access to a company mutuelle that completes reimbursements and lowers out-of-pocket costs for routine and specialist care.
Retirement contributions and complementary pension schemes
Retirement contributions build both basic and complementary pension rights. These contributions follow the same logic as a classic contract and help secure long-term income replacement.
Unemployment insurance and France Travail eligibility
Unemployment rights are calculated like for a salarié classique. You may qualify for ARE from France Travail if you meet contribution and separation rules.
Under certain conditions, ARE can be combined with consulting income — these rules peuvent être applied to smooth transitions between missions.
Mutuelle and provident coverage (prévoyance)
Complementary health (mutuelle) and provident plans protect against long-term illness or incapacity. These avantages sociaux secure income and often cover daily allowances or disability benefits.
- Reassurance: independence with full employee-level protection.
- Health: sécurité sociale plus mutuelle reduce medical costs.
- Retirement: contributions create long-term pension rights.
- Unemployment: France Travail eligibility and ARE rules apply.
- Prévoyance: income protection in serious health events.
Remember: these social advantages help explain why net pay differs from billed revenue. They are part of the price of strong, reliable protection for professionals.
Responsabilité civile professionnelle and insurance protection
Professional liability coverage is a practical safeguard for both you and the client when project risks materialize. It protects against financial loss from errors, omissions, or accidental damage during a mission.
Why professional liability matters for client missions
Many companies ask for proof of assurance responsabilité civile before signing. This requirement is common with larger buyers and regulated sectors.
Having cover reduces procurement friction and signals that you take risk management seriously. It also protects your personal finances and reputation if a claim arises.
What the contrat prestation should state
Ask the société that employs you to confirm the insurer and the policy number in the contrat prestation. The document should also define the coverage limits and the geographic and activity scope.
- Verify insurer name and policy number are written in the contract.
- Confirm coverage limits fit mission risk (equipment, data, third-party damage).
- Check whether the entreprise cliente must be named as an additional insured.
- Request a certificate of insurance for higher-risk work (IT security, operations).
| Item to check | Why it matters | Example requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Insurer & policy number | Proves active cover | Named in contrat prestation |
| Coverage limits | Matches potential damages | Minimum €500,000 or per-client threshold |
| Scope of work | Covers the mission tasks | Explicit mention of services and locations |
« Clear insurance terms make your offers more competitive and reduce procurement delays. »
Legal framework: Code du travail and convention collective
Legislation and the collective agreement create the guardrails for this employment form. The Code du travail (Article L1251-1) gives the official definition and sets basic rights and duties.
Official definition in the French Labor Code
Article L1251-1 frames relationships, confirms employee status, and clarifies the three-party model. This legal base helps you and your client know where responsibilities lie.
Key rules from the collective agreement
The convention collective portage sets rules on classification, minimum pay principles and formal reporting. The collective portage salarial agreement also defines protections like paid leave and contribution rules.
Monthly activity report and account statement
Your employer company must supply a clear monthly statement. Keep these documents for budgeting and formal proof of income.
- Client payments received and invoiced amounts.
- Detail of management fees and deductions.
- Professional expenses reimbursed and withheld taxes.
- Net remuneration and any business contribution (often 5%).
« Transparent statements protect your rights and simplify administrative steps like loans and rentals. »
Practical tip: keep every monthly statement and the convention collective so you can take account of rights and obligations when negotiating or applying for credit.
Contrat de travail in portage salarial: CDI vs CDD
Contract type matters for how you are paid and protected. A salarié porté can be hired on a CDD tied to a specific mission or on a CDI that covers ongoing or multiple missions. Choose based on your pipeline stability and appetite for income variability.
CDD: mission rules and limits
A CDD is concluded for a specific mission. It can be renewed twice and the total duration, renewals included, cannot exceed 18 months.
Parties may agree a term deferral up to three months when justified. The société must deliver the contrat travail within two business days after signature.
CDI: gaps between missions
With a CDI, non-billable periods (an entre deux) are not automatically paid if there is no mission revenue. Some employers set up an inter-mission reserve to smooth income; this depends on company policy and should be negotiated.
Clauses to expect
Expect clear clauses on pay calculation, management fees, social charges, expense rules, retirement contributions and prévoyance. Also check reporting frequency and the identity of the financial guarantor.
| Element | Why it matters | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Remuneration formula | Determines your net pay | Gross conversion rules and pay dates |
| Frais de gestion | Reduces billed revenue | Percentage and any extra fees |
| Expenses policy | Impacts take-home | Reimbursement rules and documentation |
| Retirement & prévoyance | Long-term protection | Contribution rates and providers |
| Contract delivery timing | Legal compliance | Contract provided within 2 business days for CDD |
« Read every clause and ask for a sample payslip to prendre compte real net outcomes. »
Decision tip: prefer a CDD for single, well-defined missions. Choose a CDI if you want longer-term security and can accept unpaid gaps unless an inter-mission reserve is agreed. Always verify the contrat travail details before you sign.
Minimum pay rules and classification for salariés portés
Minimum pay rules set a reliable floor so consultants know what to expect each month.
Who is eligible: the scheme targets qualified professionals. You typically need a Bac+2 (level 5) or a minimum of three years’ relevant experience to join. This ensures autonomy and technical capacity for mission work.
How classification works
The collective agreement defines simple bands: junior, senior and expert. Each band links to a minimum compensation level. Companies also apply cadre rules where relevant, which can raise the minimums for managerial or highly technical roles.
What minimum compensation includes
Minimum pay is more than a base salary. It must cover:
- Paid leave compensation (about 10%).
- A 5% business contribution tied to commercial effort.
- Either a CDI inter-mission reserve (≈10%) or, for CDD, a precariousness indemnity (≈10%).
| Component | Typical rate | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Paid leave | 10% | Compensates annual leave accrual |
| Business contribution | 5% | Funds commercial efforts and company services |
| CDI reserve / CDD indemnity | 10% | Smooths gaps (CDI) or compensates fixed-term risk (CDD) |
When you set your TJM, check that your rate supports these minimums after management fees and social contributions. This protects your statut salarié porté and preserves the expected avantages sociaux that make the model sustainable.
Who portage salarial is for and when it’s not a fit
This employment model suits independent professionals who sell expertise rather than products. It is designed for qualified profiles offering intellectual services and able to work autonomously.
Best-fit profiles
Typical candidates: consultants, experts, trainers and transition managers. These roles rely on knowledge, project delivery and advisory skills.
Career situations it supports
When to consider it: career reconversion, freelancers seeking social protection, young graduates building experience, and active retirees supplementing income.
When it’s not recommended
- Regulated professions (lawyer, doctor, architect, accountant) are generally excluded.
- Personal services and buy–resell activities do not fit the model.
- If your pricing is very low or you lack market traction, fees and contributions can erode earnings.
Practical advice: simulate your scenario and validate demand before you commit. Remember, the salarié porté remains responsible for prospecting and securing missions.
« Test your pricing and pipeline to ensure the arrangement is economically viable. »
For help finding expert advice, see how to find a good consultant.
Jobs and industries that commonly use portage salarial
Independent experts in tech and business often use an employment wrapper to simplify contracts and payroll. This structure suits short- and mid-term missions where clients want clear B2B relationships and consultants want employee protections.
Tech and digital
Development, data, SEO/SEA and social media roles are frequent users. Clients hire specialists for product sprints, analytics projects, or campaign launches.
These missions are project-driven and measurable, which fits the consultant-led model well.
Business functions
HR advisors, marketing strategists, finance transformation experts and management consultants commonly work this way.
Companies prefer this route when they need senior skills without long hiring cycles.
Training, coaching and specialist missions
Trainers and coaches invoice organizations for sessions, workshops, and leadership programs. They value being a salarié société portage because administrative tasks are handled for them.
- Common use cases: short projects, pilot programs, and interim management.
- Client benefit: a clean service relationship with contractual clarity.
- Consultant experience: focus on delivery while the société portage manages invoicing and payroll.
« Simulate your typical rates and mission lengths to confirm sector economics and net outcomes. »
Portage salarial international: working with foreign clients while staying protected
Cross-border missions can be handled without giving up French social protection if you plan correctly.
From France to the world: you can invoice and serve international clients while remaining employed in France. The employer company handles invoicing, compliance and payroll so you keep a stable employment base.
Serving international client companies from France
You remain on French payroll and the société manages VAT, contract terms and payslips. This simplifies compliance and helps maintain continuity in your sécurité sociale.
Going abroad on mission and the “detachment” approach
The detachment route lets you work temporarily overseas while keeping French social rules. It requires formal paperwork and employer approval but avoids switching your social/fiscal regime in many cases.
Keeping French social and unemployment rights during assignments
Goal: preserve your protection sociale including healthcare and unemployment cover. Confirm cover duration and the right forms before departure to avoid gaps.
- Check contract language and detachment documents early.
- Confirm insurance scope and liability clauses for the host country.
- Verify tax and social rules that may apply locally for long stays.
For English-speaking readers and cross-border guidance, see our international page: international information and next steps. For detailed rules, consult this guide on portage salarial international.
How to choose an entreprise de portage salarial you can trust
Selecting the right société portage is a safety decision as much as a commercial one. Your income depends on timely client payments and on the employer company’s ability to convert invoices into payroll.
Financial strength and the mandatory financial guarantee
Verify the provider’s garantie financière and solvency. A clear guarantee protects salary continuity when a client delays payment. Ask for proof and the guarantor’s name before you sign.
Support that helps you grow
Good sociétés portage salarial offer coaching, training, and a consultant community. These services can help you raise rates, improve prospecting, and stabilise your pipeline.
Expense policy and VAT handling
Check the frais professionnels reimbursement rules and VAT treatment. Fair expense policies and correct VAT handling can improve your effective take-home pay.
Contracting quality
Insist on clear service contracts with clients: defined scope, timeline, price, insurance and responsibilities. A precise contrat reduces disputes and speeds payment.
Risk prevention
Avoid long dependency on a single client. Negotiate protective clauses, keep a pipeline active, and request a sample monthly statement so you can assess real net outcomes.
« Simulate your income first, then compare offers with a checklist mindset. »
Next step: run a quick simulation and use the results to choisir société portage with confidence.
Conclusion
A confident freelance move needs clear numbers and secure contracts. Portage salarial suits the salarié porté who wants independent client work with employee-level benefits, without creating a company.
Your chiffre affaires is converted into payroll after frais gestion and payroll contributions. This is why the salaire net is often roughly half the billed amount and why realistic simulation matters.
Verify RC Pro (responsabilité civile professionnelle), the Code du travail and the convention collective. Read the contrat travail (CDI vs CDD), expense rules and monthly statements so you sign with full clarity.
Next step: calculate your estimate with our tool, then use the result to negotiate confidently with your entreprise cliente. Run a quick simulation now at our income simulator or consult English resources at the English site. For a guided estimate, see our income simulation.
FAQ
What does the income simulator estimate?
The simulator lets you enter your daily rate, estimated billable days or mission duration, and the amount billed (ex. HT). It returns an approximate gross-to-net salary, highlights employer and employee contributions, and flags typical management fees so you can set competitive pricing for your next mission.
How does this work in practice between me, the client, and the portage company?
A three-way arrangement is set up: you negotiate the mission with the client company, the employer company issues invoices and handles payroll, and you carry out the work as an employee with independence in how you perform it. The portage firm manages invoicing, contract issues, and social declarations.
Why choose a société that provides this service rather than creating my own company?
You avoid creating a legal entity and managing fixed overheads. Administrative, legal and payroll tasks are taken care of by the provider, which allows fast onboarding and simpler billing so you can start missions sooner without complex setup or compliance burdens.
What most affects my net pay?
Your billed revenue is driven by daily rate and billable days. Deduct management fees, employer and employee social charges, and any non-reimbursed professional expenses. Contract type and available savings schemes (when offered) also influence take-home pay.
How do you convert billed revenue into expected net salary?
There’s no fixed formula, but a common benchmark is that net pay can be roughly half of the billed amount after fees and social contributions. Monthly pay follows payroll cycles, so income varies between missions and depends on the timing of invoices and reimbursements.
What do management fees cover and how do they affect my income?
Fees typically cover administration, accounting, legal support, payroll, and client follow-up. Transparent fee structures lower uncertainty and improve net income; look for clear terms and any additional charges that could reduce your take-home pay.
What social protection do I keep as an employee in this arrangement?
You maintain French social security coverage, health insurance, retirement contributions and often complementary pension schemes. Many providers also offer unemployment insurance eligibility, a mutuelle, and provident coverage to protect income during interruptions.
Do I need professional liability insurance?
Yes. Professional liability (RC Pro) protects you and the client against claims tied to your mission. Verify that your contract specifies RC Pro coverage limits and whether the provider or you must supply the policy.
Which legal texts and collective agreement apply?
The arrangement is defined in the French Labor Code and governed by the collective agreement specific to this employment form. Contracts and monthly statements must comply with those rules and include activity reports and accounting of billed amounts.
What are the main differences between CDI and CDD contracts here?
A CDD is mission-tied with rules on duration and renewals; a CDI offers continuity but does not pay for non-billable inter-mission periods unless an inter-mission reserve is specified. Expect clauses covering salary calculation, fees, expense reimbursement, retirement and provident schemes.
Are there minimum pay and classification rules?
Yes. Minimum compensation depends on qualification levels (for example Bac+2 or equivalent) and classifications such as junior, senior or expert. Minimums generally include paid leave and business contributions defined by the collective agreement.
Who benefits most from this employment form and who should avoid it?
It suits consultants, experts, trainers and managers in transition, as well as freelancers seeking social protection. It’s less appropriate for regulated professions, personal services, or activities where low pricing and weak market demand make this model uneconomic.
Which sectors commonly use this model?
Common fields include tech and digital roles (developers, data specialists, SEO/SEA), business functions (HR, marketing, finance), and professional services like training, coaching and specialized expertise missions.
Can I work with international clients while remaining covered?
Yes. You can serve foreign clients from France and undertake assignments abroad using detachment rules. Proper structuring preserves French social and unemployment rights, but cross‑border specifics should be checked in each case.
How do I choose a trustworthy provider?
Check the company’s financial guarantee, service contract clarity, fee transparency, and support offerings like coaching or training. Review expense and VAT policies, community resources, and measures to prevent client dependency and protect your terms.
