French EOR complete solution & unemployment benefits: the complete guide

You’re currently unemployed and want to start a freelance activity?
You’ve just ended a contract within a French EOR complete solution and want to receive unemployment benefits?
Good news — it’s absolutely possible!
2i Portage explains everything in this short guide.

French EOR complete solution & unemployment benefits: two fully compatible concepts

A French EOR complete solution is a system that combines the freedom of independent work with the security of employee status.

How does it work? It’s simple:

• As an independent professional, you handle your own prospecting and find your clients.
• You negotiate the price and terms of your service.
• The French EOR complete solution provider you work with invoices the client.
• It handles all administrative and social formalities related to your activity.
• It then pays you a salary based on your revenue, after deducting management fees and social contributions.

This particular situation gives the Consultant a dual status.
They are an independent professional when sourcing their assignments, and an Employee thanks to their contract with the French EOR complete solution provider.

They are therefore covered by the general Social Security system and benefit from full social protection… which means they are entitled to unemployment benefits and can combine these benefits with their income earned through a French EOR complete solution.

However, as you might expect, certain conditions must be met.

Combining a French EOR complete solution with unemployment benefits (ARE): how does it work?

Unemployment benefits (ARE) can be combined with income earned through a French EOR complete solution.
This makes it a great way to ensure a smooth transition into independent work.
However, certain criteria must be met.

CONDITIONS FOR COMBINING A FRENCH EOR COMPLETE SOLUTION AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Combining unemployment benefits (ARE) and income from a French EOR complete solution is entirely possible if:

• You reside permanently in France.
• You registered as a job seeker within 12 months following the end of your previous employment contract.
• Your unemployment benefit rights must still be active.
• You are able to work.

If you meet all the criteria, you can indeed combine both. But be careful — you will not receive your full unemployment benefits.

CALCULATION OF DAILY BENEFITS WHEN COMBINING BOTH

The amount of daily allowances is calculated based on the Reference Daily Wage (SJR), which is determined from the gross earnings declared through employer and social security contributions.

Two calculation methods are available, but only the one that offers the greatest benefit to the Consultant will be applied.

• The allowances amount to 40.4% of the Reference Daily Wage (SJR), plus a fixed supplement of €12 per day.
• Or they amount to 57% of the Reference Daily Wage (SJR).

In all cases, the daily allowance cannot be lower than €29.38 and cannot exceed 75% of the Reference Daily Wage (SJR).

And take note! If you combine income earned through the French EOR complete solution with unemployment benefits, 70% of your gross monthly income will be deducted from your monthly allowance to determine the number of compensable days.

But as you can imagine, explained like this, it may still feel a bit confusing… So let’s look at an example to make things clearer.

Let’s imagine that:

• Your Reference Daily Wage (SJR) is €100.

We then need to apply both formulas to determine which one would be the most advantageous for you:

• First calculation method:
  The allowances amount to 40.4% of the Reference Daily Wage (SJR) + €12.
  • (40.4% × 100) + €12 = €40.40 + €12 = €52.40
• Second calculation method:
  The allowances amount to 57% of the Reference Daily Wage (SJR).
  • 57% × 100 = €57

Here, the most advantageous formula is applied — in this case, €57 per day.

• Combination of income from the French EOR complete solution and unemployment benefits:
  If you also receive income through the French EOR complete solution, 70% of your gross monthly income will be deducted from your monthly unemployment allowance.

Which means that if your gross monthly income is €2,000:

• 70% × 2,000 = 1,400

€1,400 would therefore be deducted from your total monthly unemployment allowance.

In summary, in this example, you would receive €57 per day in daily allowances, unless you also earn income through the French EOR complete solution — in which case the amount may be adjusted based on your gross monthly income.

Are you already using the French EOR complete solution and looking to end your contract? If you contributed to unemployment insurance while working under this model, you may be eligible to receive benefits. Let’s take a look at how the process works in this situation.

Getting Unemployment Benefits After a French EOR Complete Solution Contract

After completing a French EOR complete solution contract, it is entirely possible to receive unemployment benefits. However, certain conditions must be met.

Conditions for Receiving Unemployment Benefits After a French EOR Complete Solution Contract

To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must meet the following conditions:

• The end of your contract must be involuntary (dismissal, end of a fixed‑term contract, mutually agreed termination, etc.).
  Please note that resignation does not entitle you to unemployment benefits, unless it is considered legitimate by France Travail.
• You must register with France Travail within 12 months following the end of your contract.
• You must have worked long enough to qualify for unemployment benefits: at least 130 days or 910 hours over the past 24 months (or 36 months if you are 53 or older).
• Be able to work and be actively seeking employment.

If all the criteria are met, you can then submit your application to France Travail.

HOW TO APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AFTER A FRENCH EOR COMPLETE SOLUTION CONTRACT?

The compensation request process with France Travail is standard and is exactly the same as the procedure applied to traditional Employees.

1. The first step is to register as a jobseeker on the France Travail website. You will be asked to provide supporting documents, including an employer certificate issued by your French EOR complete solution company.
2. After your registration, a France Travail advisor will review your application to determine whether you are eligible for unemployment benefits.

Are you eligible? Wondering what amount you could receive? Let’s take a closer look.

CALCULATING FRANCE TRAVAIL ALLOWANCES AFTER A FRENCH EOR COMPLETE SOLUTION CONTRACT

The calculation of your allowances is based on the Reference Daily Wage (SJR) and follows the same process we previously reviewed.

It is calculated based on the gross earnings from the past 28 or 36 months.

Once your allowances have been calculated, you may receive them for a period ranging from 4 to 36 months, depending on your age and the amount of time you have worked.

Unemployment Benefits and the French EOR Complete Solution: What You Should Remember…

The French EOR complete solution offers substantial flexibility along with the security of Employee status. This gives you access to valuable benefits — including eligibility for unemployment benefits.

• As a Consultant working under the French EOR complete solution, you are entitled to unemployment benefits.
• It is possible to combine ARE unemployment benefits with income earned through the French EOR complete solution, provided certain conditions are met.
• After completing a French EOR complete solution contract, you can claim unemployment benefits provided you meet the required conditions.
• Unemployment benefits are calculated based on the Reference Daily Wage (SJR).

So, are you ready to take the leap and enjoy all the advantages of the French EOR complete solution while securing your income? With 2i Portage, you benefit from the expertise of a dedicated team ready to support you every step of the way.