My business - can you see any problems?
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 15
My business - can you see any problems?
Hi all,
my husband (British) and I (European passport) are thinking of moving to France.
I have an internet business here in England (providing counselling/coaching to people around the world via skype) and I am a book author. Earnings around 50.000 to 70.000 a year.
I have very few expenses and obviously would work from home.
I understand I am earning too much to register as a micro-entrepreneur and I am not sure what I would register as instead.
I also understand that I cannot call myself a psychotherapist (even though I have the qualification) because it is regulated in France but I can work as one. Currently I call myself a Buddhist therapist, so that would not be a problem anyway.
Do you see any problems/obstacles? Do you have any idea who I can ask if I can work in this way in France?
thanks for answering
my husband (British) and I (European passport) are thinking of moving to France.
I have an internet business here in England (providing counselling/coaching to people around the world via skype) and I am a book author. Earnings around 50.000 to 70.000 a year.
I have very few expenses and obviously would work from home.
I understand I am earning too much to register as a micro-entrepreneur and I am not sure what I would register as instead.
I also understand that I cannot call myself a psychotherapist (even though I have the qualification) because it is regulated in France but I can work as one. Currently I call myself a Buddhist therapist, so that would not be a problem anyway.
Do you see any problems/obstacles? Do you have any idea who I can ask if I can work in this way in France?
thanks for answering
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
My 2penn'oth:
So you have 2 activities, the online counselling/coaching, and the books.
If income from the books comes in the form of royalties, then that particular activity would need to be registered with Agesssa Accueil | Sécurité sociale des artistes-auteurs and this is probably the page you need to start with Vous avez plusieurs activités professionnelles | Sécurité sociale des artistes-auteurs
For your online business you have a choice of business structures, so you need to work out which will work out best as part of "the bigger picture" - family circumstances, total household income (because tax is paid per household not per individual), business model, future plans etc. As you say your turnover is too high for micro, which is the simplest, so either you would need to limit your turnover or choose a different structure. Really you need to sit down with a business advisor on this one.
Re the psychotherapy, my understanding is the same as yours, you can't call yourself one unless you acquire a recognised French qualification. Can you work as one - well, but be careful how you do your marketing and what services you actually provide, make sure it doesn't in any way give the impression that you're offering medical treatment to cure people. I believe there are quite a few UK qualified psychotherapists working in France but exactly how close to psychotherapy they go and what precautions they take, I don't know. Buddhist therapy shouldn't be a problem as long as that's what you practise. But be aware that the French authorities can, and do, unilaterally "requalify" people's activities if it comes to their attention that a person is not doing what they are registered/authorised to do, and the consequences can be quite heavy.
So you have 2 activities, the online counselling/coaching, and the books.
If income from the books comes in the form of royalties, then that particular activity would need to be registered with Agesssa Accueil | Sécurité sociale des artistes-auteurs and this is probably the page you need to start with Vous avez plusieurs activités professionnelles | Sécurité sociale des artistes-auteurs
For your online business you have a choice of business structures, so you need to work out which will work out best as part of "the bigger picture" - family circumstances, total household income (because tax is paid per household not per individual), business model, future plans etc. As you say your turnover is too high for micro, which is the simplest, so either you would need to limit your turnover or choose a different structure. Really you need to sit down with a business advisor on this one.
Re the psychotherapy, my understanding is the same as yours, you can't call yourself one unless you acquire a recognised French qualification. Can you work as one - well, but be careful how you do your marketing and what services you actually provide, make sure it doesn't in any way give the impression that you're offering medical treatment to cure people. I believe there are quite a few UK qualified psychotherapists working in France but exactly how close to psychotherapy they go and what precautions they take, I don't know. Buddhist therapy shouldn't be a problem as long as that's what you practise. But be aware that the French authorities can, and do, unilaterally "requalify" people's activities if it comes to their attention that a person is not doing what they are registered/authorised to do, and the consequences can be quite heavy.
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 15
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
Thanks! Where would I find such a business advisor?
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
All depends where you live business support provision tends to be local/regional. Some towns / communes have a Centre de Formalités d'Entreprise which is a business advice centre usually run by the communauté des communes; sometimes the mairie has a business advisor available one day a week or something; failing that go to your CCI ie chamber of commerce and industry and ask what advice is available, or you can often access help online via the CCI website or other local business support networks. Some communes have a far better provision of business support than others. Google will be your friend to find out what's available near you.
Failing all else, a paid business advisor or expert comptable, but some are better than others.
Failing all else, a paid business advisor or expert comptable, but some are better than others.
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 15
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
thanks, Euro, that is all really helpful.
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,888
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
Hi all,
my husband (British) and I (European passport) are thinking of moving to France.
I have an internet business here in England (providing counselling/coaching to people around the world via skype) and I am a book author. Earnings around 50.000 to 70.000 a year.
I have very few expenses and obviously would work from home.
I understand I am earning too much to register as a micro-entrepreneur and I am not sure what I would register as instead.
I also understand that I cannot call myself a psychotherapist (even though I have the qualification) because it is regulated in France but I can work as one. Currently I call myself a Buddhist therapist, so that would not be a problem anyway.
Do you see any problems/obstacles? Do you have any idea who I can ask if I can work in this way in France?
thanks for answering
my husband (British) and I (European passport) are thinking of moving to France.
I have an internet business here in England (providing counselling/coaching to people around the world via skype) and I am a book author. Earnings around 50.000 to 70.000 a year.
I have very few expenses and obviously would work from home.
I understand I am earning too much to register as a micro-entrepreneur and I am not sure what I would register as instead.
I also understand that I cannot call myself a psychotherapist (even though I have the qualification) because it is regulated in France but I can work as one. Currently I call myself a Buddhist therapist, so that would not be a problem anyway.
Do you see any problems/obstacles? Do you have any idea who I can ask if I can work in this way in France?
thanks for answering
Do a google search for "thérapistes Buddhistes/psychothérapistes en-ligne" - you may find a forum (in French, of course!)
#7
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2017
Location: Pezenas, Herault
Posts: 4
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
Hi Corinna
I would echo DMU's point about the Internet. There is a very good french website where you can check the internet speeds by department and commune. The website is called ariase. com
In terms of business set up, the earnings limits on auto-entrepreneurs/micro-enterprises are going to be updated during 2018 to up to €64,000. This was an election promise from President Macron and we have looked into this ourselves because my partner is about to hit her limit this year.
One other option to consider is that you could keep your online therapy/counselling covered by your UK Company. In terms of getting into the French system for health coverage, if you were to buy a French holiday home and run this as a Micro-Enterprise; you could put these earnings through the French system and this would entitle you to the French carte vital.
<snip>
I would echo DMU's point about the Internet. There is a very good french website where you can check the internet speeds by department and commune. The website is called ariase. com
In terms of business set up, the earnings limits on auto-entrepreneurs/micro-enterprises are going to be updated during 2018 to up to €64,000. This was an election promise from President Macron and we have looked into this ourselves because my partner is about to hit her limit this year.
One other option to consider is that you could keep your online therapy/counselling covered by your UK Company. In terms of getting into the French system for health coverage, if you were to buy a French holiday home and run this as a Micro-Enterprise; you could put these earnings through the French system and this would entitle you to the French carte vital.
<snip>
Last edited by BEVS; Oct 29th 2017 at 7:43 pm. Reason: Please red the site rules. Thanks
#8
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
Hi Corinna
I would echo DMU's point about the Internet. There is a very good french website where you can check the internet speeds by department and commune. The website is called ariase. com
In terms of business set up, the earnings limits on auto-entrepreneurs/micro-enterprises are going to be updated during 2018 to up to €64,000. This was an election promise from President Macron and we have looked into this ourselves because my partner is about to hit her limit this year.
One other option to consider is that you could keep your online therapy/counselling covered by your UK Company. In terms of getting into the French system for health coverage, if you were to buy a French holiday home and run this as a Micro-Enterprise; you could put these earnings through the French system and this would entitle you to the French carte vital.
<snip>
I would echo DMU's point about the Internet. There is a very good french website where you can check the internet speeds by department and commune. The website is called ariase. com
In terms of business set up, the earnings limits on auto-entrepreneurs/micro-enterprises are going to be updated during 2018 to up to €64,000. This was an election promise from President Macron and we have looked into this ourselves because my partner is about to hit her limit this year.
One other option to consider is that you could keep your online therapy/counselling covered by your UK Company. In terms of getting into the French system for health coverage, if you were to buy a French holiday home and run this as a Micro-Enterprise; you could put these earnings through the French system and this would entitle you to the French carte vital.
<snip>
Last edited by BEVS; Oct 29th 2017 at 7:49 pm.
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
Hi Corinna
In terms of business set up, the earnings limits on auto-entrepreneurs/micro-enterprises are going to be updated during 2018 to up to €64,000. This was an election promise from President Macron and we have looked into this ourselves because my partner is about to hit her limit this year.
One other option to consider is that you could keep your online therapy/counselling covered by your UK Company. In terms of getting into the French system for health coverage, if you were to buy a French holiday home and run this as a Micro-Enterprise; you could put these earnings through the French system and this would entitle you to the French carte vital.
In terms of business set up, the earnings limits on auto-entrepreneurs/micro-enterprises are going to be updated during 2018 to up to €64,000. This was an election promise from President Macron and we have looked into this ourselves because my partner is about to hit her limit this year.
One other option to consider is that you could keep your online therapy/counselling covered by your UK Company. In terms of getting into the French system for health coverage, if you were to buy a French holiday home and run this as a Micro-Enterprise; you could put these earnings through the French system and this would entitle you to the French carte vital.
Keeping the therapy under the UK company is OK up to a point but not entirely, because carrying out an unregistered activity in France won't fly. It's not just a case of getting into the healthcare system, it's a case of you can't operate an unregistered business of that type without a siret number. Some people keep a UK reg co and register as a freelancer in France to get the siret number and and pay themselves as a contractor from the UK company, not sure exactly which situations make that beneficial but it certainly makes it more complicated.
Last edited by BEVS; Oct 29th 2017 at 7:49 pm.
#10
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
Would you be offering letting services as well?
Last edited by Chatter Static; Oct 29th 2017 at 6:33 pm.
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
I nearly asked that too!
#12
Re: My business - can you see any problems?
Could you contact me for a username change please.
Also , have a bit of a read of the site rules.
Thanks.