The country where social contributions are paid
Cultural organisations inviting or posting artists and/or culture professionals in France are subject to social legislation whose principles vary according to the type of contract (direct hiring or contracting with a foreign partner), artists and/or culture professionals affiliation country, and whether or not bilateral agreements on social security have been concluded between France and the residence country…
We invite you to check the rules that apply to your situation on the Centre of European and International Liaisons for Social Security (CLEISS) website.
Some general principles:
- Artists and culture professionals hired by a French organisation
Contributions are due in France. - Artists and culture professionals hired by a foreign organisation posting them to France
-> If a bilateral agreement on social security has been signed between France and the country of residence, main contributions may be made in the country where they currently pay their social contributions. The appropriate posting form will have to be requested from the social security authorities in the country of affiliation.
-> If there is no bilateral agreement on social security between France and the country of residence, contributions will be payable in France. The foreign employer must pay them to the “Urssaf Foreign Companies Service“. - Artists and culture professionals affiliated in Europe
European regulations provide many possibilities to ensure the continued payment of social security contributions in the country of affiliation (and residence) of the individual, insofar as is possible. We advise you to check what rule applies to your situation on the CLEISS site. - Independent artists : (audio)visual artists, photographs, music composers, authors…
When these artists do not reside in France, the contributions are payable in the country where they currently pay their social contributions if there is a bilateral agreement on social security. In any case, the 1,1% contribution diffuseur will be paid in France.
Social security cover
The payment of social security contributions in France does not automatically automatically ensure coverage, which in practice depends on residency (residency permit).
Foreign artists and culture professionals and the organisations inviting or sending them must ensure before their arrival that they are covered by valid health insurance during their stay. The steps to take are different depending on your profile and the type of activity conducted in France.
You reside in France
If you move to France, you will be covered by the general social security scheme. For non-european citizens, the resident permit should notably be produced for the application.
You are living in Europe
If you are affiliated in a European Union member state, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card before arriving in France. This card will mean you won’t have to advance the money for any health expenses.
Your country has signed a social security agreement with France
Depending on your situation, the cost of any care received in France may be covered by the bilateral agreement on social security signed between your home country and France.
For more information, visit the Centre of European and International Liaisons for Social Security (CLEISS) website.
Other cases
If you are neither residing in France nor a holder of a European Health Insurance Card nor benefiting from a reciprocal agreement, you will have to take out private health insurance.
