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Free grants to start a business in France
Starting a business costs less than you think: here are the truly free aids, the ones to claim, and the guidance that costs you nothing.
Many business-creation aids are free: they cost nothing to obtain and ease your launch. They fall into exemptions (lower charges), financial aids (capital or income support) and free guidance (advice, training, mentoring).
The smart move is to combine several levers: a start-up contribution exemption, income support if you are a jobseeker, and free guidance to structure your project.
Method
Getting startup aids: where to begin
Check ACRE (charges exemption)
ACRE exempts part of your social contributions in the first year. For many founders (including micro-entrepreneurs) it is a basic reflex to activate at registration.
If you are a jobseeker, choose ARCE or ARE continuation
France Travail offers either keeping your benefits during launch, or ARCE, a capital payout of part of your rights. This choice shapes your starting cash.
Activate free guidance
Support networks, chambers of commerce and trades, local bodies: many offer free diagnosis, training and follow-up. It often makes the difference in survival.
Look at aids by profile and sector
Innovative young company status, regional aids, schemes for specific audiences: filter startup aids on Subventa by your situation.
Which aids are truly free?
ACRE is an exemption: you pay nothing to get it, it lowers your contributions. Guidance from creation networks is very often free or low-cost.
Beware paid offers promising to secure these aids: public schemes are claimed directly and free of charge from official bodies.
Income support: ARCE or benefit continuation?
ARE continuation pays your benefits while your business does not yet generate enough income, useful if revenue is slow to start.
ARCE pays part of your remaining rights as capital in two instalments, useful to fund a starting investment. The right choice depends on your model and cash flow.
Related grants
Listings to check
FAQ
Frequently asked
Is startup guidance really free?
Yes, in many public or non-profit networks: diagnosis, training and follow-up can be free. Always check it is an official body before paying anything.
Can ACRE and France Travail aid be combined?
Yes. ACRE (charges exemption) stacks with ARE continuation or ARCE. They are different logics: charges on one side, income on the other.
Do I need to pay to get these aids?
No. Public startup aids are claimed free of charge from official bodies (Urssaf, France Travail, support networks). No payment is required to access them.
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