Originally Posted by Tweedpipe

I'm no expect but as far as I can understand it, the issues would be exactly under what regime you would be registered, and in particular who would pay the cotisations. I don't doubt you would need an accountant to put you on the right path, unless others here can advise to the contrary.
As regards bureaucratic headaches, you've certainly chosen an ideal country.
Maybe start by picking the bones off THESE links.
Link 1
Link 2

Originally Posted by dmu

The OP's husband is a musician/singer and a quick search showed that the MdA is an Association for various artistic types of "authors". If he writes his owns songs, all well and good.
I can ask DD1 how she got herself registered as a "performer", at the same time as writing/producing shows. She had to set up her Association (at the Mairie de Paris) as soon as she was employing (= paying "cachets" to) other performers.

Originally Posted by EuroTrash

You're right as always DMU, I wasn't thinking straight.
But presumably there must be associations or groups or forums he could join. I've found there's a lot of online professional solidarity in France. I suppose it's a direct result of the regulations being so complicated, everyone has to battle with the same brainteasers so they share experiences and help each other figure out the solution. Certainly that's where I've always got the best advice from over the years on business-related issues, either from auto-entrepreneur forums or from profession-specific groups. When you're feeling baffled it's kind of reassuring to discover that the same thing has baffled many others too, but once you know what to do it's easy.

Originally Posted by dmu

LOL, not always...
I've msg'd my daughter, but don't expect an immediate reply. There must be some Organisation or other to register with, if only for healthcare coverage and chômage benefits.

P.S. By miracle, she replied quickly. She says you can become intermittent du spectacle if you have enough contracts to justify this status, but, sorry, she honestly doesn't remember what she did to officially become one! You find work via contacts/small ads, etc... and the employers give you a contract.

Originally Posted by dmu

@OP: I would add that it's a very precarious profession and you should come with enough savings to live on while your husband is seeking engagements, esp. with a little one to care for.
After the BnB rental, it's not sure that a French landlord would accept savings in the bank for a long-term rental, they normally demand proof of REGULAR income in the form of monthly payslips.
You should also take out private healthcare insurance as soon as you arrive, as, in addition to the obvious, you'll have to prove it and adequate income, when applying for Résidence after 3 months.
You've got a lot to think about in a very short time. Good luck!

I'd also add that, if your husband has international engagements (you mentioned Barcelona as an airport for his work), not all French business structures allow travel expenses, etc... as deductible overheads, and he should consult an Expert-Comptable, as said, or at least ensure that such expenses are included in his cachets.

Originally Posted by dmu

I agree!
From the above link, DD1 must have registered at the Pôle-Emploi as a job-seeker and gone on from there. I'm not surprised that she's forgotten!

Originally Posted by petitefrancaise

I know of 2 really good expert comptables in Toulouse that are used to international stuff.

PM me and I'll give you their details. One of them tried to get to grips with posting on here which would have been great but the mods scared him off.

Otherwise go to the centre de commerce in Perpignan/Narbonne and ask there for some help. In that region, I bet they even speak English.

Originally Posted by Gabriela1980

How about if my husband is actually french national? He lived most of his life in the UK (after his parents divorce). Does it change anything?

Originally Posted by EuroTrash

Yes it changes things considerably, in fact it makes most of what I've said up to this point irrelevant, so please ignore my posts. Would have been useful if you'd mentioned this fact sooner

Originally Posted by EuroTrash

Yes it changes things considerably, in fact it makes most of what I've said up to this point irrelevant, so please ignore my posts. Would have been useful if you'd mentioned this fact sooner

Originally Posted by dmu

+1
Our advice remains the same for setting up a business in France, and you shouldn't need an English-speaking Expert-Comptable or interpreter for communicating with Bureaucracy!

Originally Posted by Gabriela1980

I actually think we will need an english speaking person as my husband's french is ok-ish. His mum speaks to them only english, it is his dad who is French but does not live in the UK and very little contact. So he can get by but with more specialised vocabulary, he would need a help me thinks!

Originally Posted by dmu

Fair enough!
I wrongly assumed that Mum was Maman! (which in fact wouldn't mean that your OH would know all the vocab involved with French Administrations....)
Good luck in your venture!

Originally Posted by EuroTrash

Yes it changes things considerably, in fact it makes most of what I've said up to this point irrelevant, so please ignore my posts. Would have been useful if you'd mentioned this fact sooner