-
Graph: How France plans to save €44billion in 2026 budget
Freeze on public spending and change to pensioners’ tax allowance are among measures
-
Tips for keeping your home cool during heatwaves in France
France’s ecological transition agency has issued some tips that are also eco-friendly
-
Tips on how to stay cool in France’s heatwave
With temperatures in France approaching 40C, we look at advice on how to stop yourself from overheating
How you can earn extra money after retirement in France
Retired people can still do work and earn extra with a ' micro-entreprise' small business, with some conditions

With a pension from outsideFrance
French retirement organisation Caisse nationale d’assurance vieillesse (Cnav) said anyone receiving a full pension from a country other than France should contact their pension provider. It is up to them to decide whether you can receive additional income as a micro-entrepreneur. The UK allows people to work while claiming a state pension.
With a full French pension
You can sign up as a micro-entrepreneur. You usually can’t earn any additional pension rights, with a few exceptions – such as if you have been drawing a French pension since before 2015 and you start work where you are attached to a different pension regime.
With a partial French pension
Cnav said that if your original pension comes from the private or public sector, you can earn what you like as a micro-entrepreneur.
However, where your partial pension comes from self-employment, there are limits before the pension is reduced. This affects those with pensions from artisan, commerçant and profession libérale work. This year, the limit is €20,568.
The sum is different in rural or urban priority development areas. Any higher earnings have to be declared to the pension provider and the pension will be reduced.
This is a complex area and anyone receiving a French pension is advised to get in touch with their provider to check their personal situation.
Micro-entrepreneur combined with salaried job
A person who is not yet a pensioner can freely set up as a micro-entrepreneur alongside a salaried job as long as it is not in competition with their employer and they respect the rules for non-competition and loyalty in their contract.
Both must be declared for tax, and social charges have to be paid for both employments.
Related stories
What is the difference between 'auto/micro-entrepreneur' in France?