 |
 31st July 2010
|
 Understanding URSSAF Whether you’re seeking a job, setting up a business, or just signing on as unemployed you’re bound to come up against the edifice which is French administration. Excellent as it is, the social security system – or "la sécu’ as the French prefer to call it - is a fearsome minefield of bureaucracy. Covering accidents at work, invalidity, death job related illnesses and retirement, this nationwide system is obligatory for all persons employed in France and whilst it is extremely effective, it is also one of the most expensive systems in the world.COTISATIONS MADE SIMPLE Paid by private persons, associations, employers, companies, craftsmen, tradesmen, the State and local authorities, cotisations or social charges are managed by different departments who all adhere to rules laid down by the main social security office, known as URSSAF (Union de recouvrement des cotisations de sécurité sociale et d'allocations familiales). A whopping 331.2 billion Euros was collected in 2007, and this is raked into the URSSAF's coffers and then redistributed to these different organisations each year. If you are in salaried employment your employer will register you with the Caisse de Securite Sociale d'Assurance-Maladie a week or so after you start work and cotisations, amounting to about 20 to 25% of the net wage, will be deducted each month at source. This is then topped up by an additional 35% to 45% contributed by the employer. Social security for the self-employed is now dealt with by the RSI – Le Régime Social des Indépendants. You can expect to be paying a minimum of €1,550 in the first year. Although the amount due is calculated on a annual basis, it is contributed in four yearly payments. THE FOUR REGIMES? The Sécu is divided into four sectors, known as regimes, which offer health insurance, pensions, unemployment benefits and family income support to four main employment categories. These régimes are: -The régime général which concerns 80 % of French citizens and covers salaried employees in trade and industry. -The régime agricole which is for farmers, field workers and anyone who works in the agricultural sector. -The régimes spéciaux covering various different categories of employment, from civil servants to railway staff. - The différents régimeswhich is for workers not covered by the other three, and the self employed. SO WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? Social security contributions are collected by the URSSAF, who then redistribute payments to the Agence Centrale des Organismes de Sécurité Sociale (ACOSS), who in turn redistribute the money to the different offices, or caisses which pay out various social security benefits to employees. SO WHICH IS MY CAISSE? The Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie des Travailleurs Salariés (CNAMTS) is the national healthcare caisse for salaried employees. Contributions from the self-employed go to one of 31 Caisses d'assurance Maladies Régionales (CMR) which are controlled by the Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie des professions indépendantes (CANAM). Reimbursements for medical treatment are paid out by the Caisses Primaires d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM) and family income support is dealt with by the Caisses d'Allocations Familiales (CAF). SO WHAT IS THIS URSSAF? With 105 offices around the country, the Union de recouvrement des cotisations de sécurité sociale et d'allocations familiales is supervised by the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Social Affairs and run by representatives of labour unions, the State, and employers. URSSAF’s role includes collection of funds, control of contributions and dealing with litigation. HEALTHCARE Since 1999 the Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU) provides free health cover for those who earn less than 6,400 euros per annum. The CMU is also available to non-Europeans who have entered France legally and who have lived continuously in France for more than 3 months. The CMU is available to people with limited resources. The ceiling is calculated on the number of people living in the household and vary each year. Even if a person exceeds the ceiling, they may still benefit from the CMU by paying contributions (normally 8%). See FrenchEntrée Healthcare Zone for more information. HELP - I’M UNEMPLOYED! If you’ve been laid off, or reached the end of a fixed term contract the first thing to do is register with the ASSEDIC, which is the office in charge of managing unemployment benefits. Take all your wage slips, identity papers and proof of your address (usually an electricity bill) along with you. It will take about two weeks for your eligibility to be assessed, and it will done on the basis of the amount of hours you have worked. You will only be deemed eligible for benefits if you’ve worked full-time for at least three consecutive months. Once you’ve signed on at the ASSEDIC you can enrol at the Agence Nationale pour l'Emploi (ANPE) which is the French equivalent of a British Jobcentre. As well as general job centres, there are also ANPE offices, known as ANPE Cadres, which specialise in executive or management level recruitment. WILL I GET A PENSION? Pensions are handled by La caisse régionale d’assurance maladie (CRAM) and the system is based on solidarity between generations: those who can no longer earn a living themselves are financed by contributions from workers and employers. According to recent figures the average retirement age in the UK is 63.6 years, whereas in France this figure is 59.2, with only 15% of people between the ages of 60 and 65 still work. In France you can retire at the age of 60 but in order to qualify for a pension (up to 55% of your former salary) you need to have worked for at least 40 years. Under EC regulations, however, if you work, or have worked, in other EU countries you can combine contributions in order to qualify for a state pension here in France. The self-employed will be dealt with by different organisations. A self-employed person should contact his/her professional body for more informaton. I THINK IM GOING TO HAVE A BABY! The Social Security Office also covers maternity leave. If you are in full-time employment you are entitled to six weeks before giving birth and ten weeks after. DID YOU KNOW? -A Comité d’entreprise(C.E) is a legal requirement in France for companies which employ more than 50 people. Employers give money in the form of a grant to members of the CE who negotiate special perks, such as voyages at discount prices, reduced theatre tickets and children’s summer camps, for employees. The local “inspection du travail” can provide useful advice about employment rights. If you are in receipt of sickness benefit in the UK, you may be able to transfer payment to France. Ask at your local BA office in the UK for further information. http://www.pathfinder-one.com/Pages/articles/nov00france.htm USEFUL WEBSITES URSSAF: www.urssaf.fr Includes a chart showing how the social security system is organised. CANMTS: www.cnamts.fr CANAM: www.canam.fr The EURES Network (European Employment Services): europa.eu.int/jobs/eures A very useful site giving information on working conditions and healthcare facilities in France and the rest of Europe, as well as giving details of job vacancies. USEFUL ADDRESSES Social Security head office (Sécurité Sociale) Centre du Châtelet 5 Rue Deux Boules 75042 PARIS CEDEX URSSAF head office 3 Rue Franklin 93518 MONTREUIL SOUS BOIS CEDEX Tél.: 01.49.20.10.10 With thanks to Heidi Fuller-Love European travel and lifestyle writer www.travelintelligence.net, and Julia Jones of Bright Jones Law Firm (Toulouse), www.brightjones.com  Top Tips & Advice The French job market How do I find a job? Employment In Tarn & Aveyron Working in France Home Page Looking for a property in France? Use FrenchEntrée's Property Finders to help you find your property and to help you through the buying process 
|
Premier Property Care Franchise Opportunity
 Have the freedom of being self-employed but the security of belonging to an established network by joining us as we expand our Property Care Managers in France
Travel to France from £44 - Eurotunnel
 Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes.
Take the fastest route to France by car Our best fares are going fast. Book now!
Les Bons Voisins
 We are extending our successful network of franchised
Property managers across France. A proven framework and support – if you have the right skill set, why not come and join us?
Property Finder Business Opportunities
 This summer we launched France's first ever national network of property finders. FrenchEntrée Property Finders (FEPF) are looking for energetic and talented property finder partners in over 50 locations throughout France. Further information.
Save a fortune on currency exchange
 If you need advice or a currency exchange quote, make a no obligation enquiry to Moneycorp, FrenchEntrée's currency partner. Apply now to open a currency account.Living in France Newsletter ArchiveAre you living in France or thinking of moving to France? Keep up to date with all the latest stories from our Living in France section. Sign-up for our free newsletter or visit our newsletter archive to view previous newsletters. Latest Employment and Business Forum Postings |
Search FrenchEntréeFrench Property Database Search
Over 12,000 properties for sale throughout France..... More search options Use a property finder |