Updated on May 22, 2023
You are probably aware that the French state can provide assistance to people with modest incomes. If you are also in this situation, you have probably already heard of the “prime d’activité”.
Created in January 2016, the employment bonus replaced two other benefits, namely a former employment bonus and the RSA activity. This financial benefit is paid by the CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) or the Mutuelle Sociale Agricole to employees with low incomes. Whether you are French or a foreigner, as long as you are employed, you can benefit from this right and simulate the amount that could be allocated to you on the CAF website. Of course, the amount of the “prime d’activité” received depends on your financial resources but also other conditions, such as your family environment.
Indeed, if several people make up your household, the process will be different. If you are cohabiting (this includes married couples, civil partnerships, or simply living under the same roof), only one declaration is needed per person. On the contrary, if you are young and sharing your accommodation in a flatshare, each flatmate must initiate a request in their own name, while indicating the share they occupy (based on the number of people). Here, the term flatshare also includes siblings living together.
How to get the “prime d’activité” or employment bonus?
The “prime d’activité” is calculated on a quarterly basis. It is generally distributed to its beneficiaries on the 5th of the month. To receive this aid, it is not enough to carry out a simulation on the CAF website. First of all, you need to create an account. Don’t have one? Arm yourself with your social security number and visit the CAF website. Creating an account will only take a few minutes. After this step, you will need to fill out the application form, indicating the net wages received before taxes, over the past 3 months.
You would have understood that to be awarded of the “prime d’activité” or employment bonus, you need to meet certain financial conditions:
- Be 18 years old or older
- Reside in France, mainland or in the overseas departments (Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion)
- Be of French nationality
- Be of foreign nationality, holding a residence permit, a resident card or being a national of the European Economic Area
- Hold a work contract (independent, temporary or permanent employee, apprentice, intern, student, etc.)
- Receive income below the set ceiling, depending on your family pattern
Don’t hesitate to watch this explanatory video if you want to know more.
The award scales evolve over the course of the year, but also with all the income you’re receiving. It is calculated based on the percentage of the minimum wage you receive. It was also increased by 4% in 2022. Here is a summary table to help you see more clearly:
| Indicators on April 1st, 2022 | |
| Income received | Employment bonus estimated amount per month |
| 0,25 smic | €185 |
| 0,5 smic | €246 |
| 0,7 smic | €199 |
| 0,8 smic | €176 |
| 0,9 smic | €136 |
| 1 smic | €132 |
| 1,1 smic | €105 |
| 1,2 smic | €60 |
| 1,3 smic | €15 |
It is necessary to remember that if the amount of your “prime d’activité” is less than 15 euros, you will not receive it. Also, don’t forget to declare any changes in your situation in order to reassess your entitlement to the “prime d’activité”.
Do we have to consider the co-tenants’ incomes?
Unlike cohabitation, which takes into account the income of both people in a single declaration, when you move into a shared accommodation, there’s no need to consider your roommates. Each of you must make separate and distinct declarations. You live under the same roof but are not otherwise connected. Be aware that when you are in a shared accommodation, several aids can be granted to you. You also need to be careful about what you need to declare and how to do it, like the APL (Aide personnalisée au logement). APL and shared accommodation?
Discover everything you need to know to receive them in our detailed article!
Coliving and the “prime d’activité”
If you’re here, it’s probably because you have already heard about coliving. It’s often difficult for authorities to distinguish between coliving and flatsharing. That’s why the two concepts have the same rules and regulations regarding the “prime d’activité”. Good news indeed, because all colivers (coliving flatmates) must make an individual application in order to receive the “prime d’activité”. This independence generally governs the concept of coliving.
As you’ve understood, coliving allows you to live in a comfortable accommodation. Most often, you share a spacious apartment with several unknown tenants while maintaining your independence. Indeed, this aspect constitutes one of the major differences between coliving and traditional accommodation sharing. Whether physical or material, this sense of freedom is central to coliving. You have your own private area (your bedroom and sometimes your bathroom) of which you are the sole tenant. This freedom is also found in your rental contract. Your lease is individual and detached from other co-livers. So you don’t have to worry about what might happen if one of the members were to leave the coliving. If you choose this lifestyle, you are assured of your financial freedom because all energy charges, internet, and home insurance are included* in the amount of rent displayed.
The last notable difference in co-living lies in the services offered. Like a hotel, at Colivys we offer a shuttle to pick you up from your arrival point (train station or airport) to your accommodation. Don’t have time to shop at your arrival? No problem, a meal pack can be delivered to you for your entire first week.
*Water, electricity, and heating are subject to a monthly provision for chargesSo, why not try the adventure with us? Discover all our available rooms quickly.
No, the “prime d’activité” or employment bonus is only for workers. It will be impossible for you to get it during your unemployment time.
Of course, all workers, employees or self-employed, earning a minimum net salary of €1028.96 per month can claim the “prime d’activité”.
The “prime d’activité” or employment bonus is distributed to its beneficiaries on the 5th of each month.
To receive the “prime d’activité”, you must have a professional activity or have been unemployed for more than 3 months, receive income less than €1800 net or €2450 net if you’re single with a child, and reside in France in a stable manner.
