Support for Company Founders and Acquirers (ACRE) — Start-up Activity Exemption
ACRE temporarily reduces social security contributions when a business starts. For micro-entrepreneurs, the official page (checked on 1 July 2026) indicates a contribution rate reduced to 75% of the normal rate, i.e. a 25% exemption, until the end of the third calendar quarter following the start of activity. For other business creators and buyers, the partial exemption lasts 12 months and depends on income. ACRE is not automatic: the application is made to the Urssaf within 60 days.
Aid for business creation or takeover (aide à la création ou à la reprise d’entreprise, ACRE) is a temporary exemption from social security contributions. The formalities differ depending on whether the beneficiary is a micro-entrepreneur or in another situation. You must also check that you have not received ACRE in the previous three years. The scheme should not be treated as a cash grant: it reduces certain contributions.
Funded by Ministère du Travail et des Solidarités, URSSAF
Run a personalised scan to identify the public grants and funding your company may be able to access.
Who can apply
Business creators or buyers who meet the conditions applicable to their situation. The formalities differ between micro-entrepreneurs and other self-employed workers. Simply creating a business does not necessarily meet all the conditions.
Eligibility conditions
You must not have received ACRE in the previous three years. Check the conditions specific to your status, the income rules and any formalities applicable on the date of creation. Monetary thresholds may change and must be checked on the current official page.
What the scheme covers
ACRE is a temporary exemption from social security contributions at the start of activity; it does not directly fund an investment or cost. It must be distinguished from financial aid for business creation.
Amount and funding terms
Micro-entrepreneurs: contribution rate reduced to 75% of the normal rate, i.e. a 25% exemption (official example: 15.9% instead of 21.2% for an electrician), until the end of the third calendar quarter following the start of activity. Other self-employed workers and company managers: partial exemption from personal contributions (sickness, maternity, basic pension, disability-death, family allowances) for 12 months — 25% for annual professional income up to €36,045 (75% of the annual social security ceiling, PASS), tapering between €36,045 and €48,060, and not applicable from €48,060 (the PASS). Figures from the official page checked on 1 July 2026.
How to apply
ACRE is not automatic. Complete the business registration through the business formalities portal, download the proof of registration, then send the application to the Urssaf with supporting documents within 60 days of starting activity. For micro-entrepreneurs, the Urssaf decides within 30 days; if there is no reply within that time, ACRE is deemed granted.
Timeline
The scheme applies at the start of activity, according to the rules and formalities in force on that date. Time limits should not be generalised between micro-entrepreneurs and other situations.
Key facts
- Funder
- Ministère du Travail et des Solidarités, URSSAF
- Type of funding
- Tax exemption
- Status
- Ongoing
- Geographic scope
- All of France
Frequently asked questions
Is ACRE a grant paid into your bank account?
No. It is a temporary exemption from social security contributions.
Can you benefit from it more than once?
The official page states that you must not have received it in the previous three years.
Are the formalities the same for everyone?
No. They differ in particular between micro-entrepreneurs and other situations.
What is the exemption rate?
For a micro-entrepreneur, the contribution rate is reduced to 75% of the normal rate, i.e. a 25% exemption, until the end of the third calendar quarter following the start of activity. For other self-employed workers and managers, the partial exemption lasts 12 months: 25% up to €36,045 of annual income, tapering up to €48,060, and nil above that (official page checked on 1 July 2026).
Official source
No official URL is available in our data for this grant.
Other grants of type “tax exemption”
Innovation tax credit (ITC): rates, expenses and declaration
Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Espace, Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté Industrielle, Energétique et Numérique
Up to €400,000
Craft trades tax credit (crédit d’impôt métiers d’art): check eligibility before filing
Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté Industrielle, Energétique et Numérique
Up to €30,000
CICE in Mayotte: transitional scheme until the end of 2026
Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté Industrielle, Energétique et Numérique
Other grants from Ministère du Travail et des Solidarités, URSSAF
Related needs and funding
Competitive calls for projects
Ecological transition and CSR
Capital and investment funds
Support and acceleration
Diagnostics and audits
Takeover and transfer
Discover the funding that fits your company
Check your eligibility for public grants
This scheme is only one of the grants your company may be able to access. Run a personalised scan to identify the funding opportunities that match your activity, location and project.
See the opportunities identified by the scan, then access your personalised report.