Aid for Business Creation or Takeover (Acre) – Complete 2026 Guide

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Service Public / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The Aid for Business Creation or Takeover (Acre) is a support program designed to help entrepreneurs at the start of their activity by providing a temporary reduction in social security contributions. This aid applies to both micro-entrepreneurs (self-employed) and other business creators or buyers. This guide explains the eligibility criteria and steps to apply for Acre.

What is Acre?

Acre is intended to encourage the creation or takeover of a business by offering entrepreneurs a reduced social security contribution rate. Beneficiaries pay only 50% of the standard rate, depending on the type of activity.

Example:
An electrician under the BIC regime (commercial or craft service activities) normally pays 21.2% in social contributions. With Acre, this is reduced to 10.6%.

The reduction applies until the end of the third calendar quarter after the declared start date or registration of the business. This date marks the start of the Acre exemption.

⚠ Important:
From July 1, 2026, the reduced rate will increase from 50% to 75% of the usual rates, meaning the exemption will drop to 25%.

Practical tip:
Start your micro-enterprise at the beginning of a calendar quarter (January, April, July, October) and apply for Acre immediately after registering via the Business Formalities Portal (guichet des formalités des entreprises).

Example:
A micro-entrepreneur launching an online store on June 3, 2026, with a 12.3% contribution rate, would pay half under Acre until March 31, 2027—10 months of exemption. Starting on April 1 would extend the benefit to 12 months.

Difference from Other Support Programs

Acre is distinct from:

  • ARCE (Aid for Business Creation or Takeover): financial aid from France Travail representing 60% of unemployment benefits as a lump sum.

  • Regional Business Creation Support (formerly NACRE): regional programs that assist with project planning, financial structuring, and business development.

Who Can Benefit from Acre?

To receive Acre, you must be starting a business and not have benefited from it in the last 3 years.

Eligibility Criteria for Micro-Entrepreneurs and Other Entrepreneurs:

  • Recipient of ARE or ASP after economic layoff

  • Unemployed registered with France Travail for more than 6 months over the last 18 months

  • Recipient of RSA or ASS

  • Aged 18 to 25 (or 29 if recognized as disabled)

  • Under 30 without ARE (insufficient activity duration to qualify)

  • Employee or laid-off worker from a company in safeguard, judicial recovery, or liquidation, taking over the business

  • Signatory of a Cape (Contract Supporting Business Project)

  • Business located in a priority neighborhood (QPV)

  • Business located in a France Rural Revitalization Zone (ZFRR or ZFRR+)

  • Recipient of the Shared Childcare Allowance (PreParE)

Steps to Apply for Acre

Acre is not automatic. Follow these steps:

  1. Complete business registration via the Business Formalities Portal.

  2. Download the proof of business creation.

  3. Fill out the Acre application form and submit it via the Urssaf messaging portal, along with supporting documents depending on your situation.

Required Documents by Profile

Eligibility Supporting Documents
Unemployed with benefits Notification of entitlement or last payment
Unemployed without benefits France Travail registration history (6 months within last 18 months)
RSA or ASS recipients Certificate proving beneficiary status
Young 18–25 ID showing date of birth
Under 30, not receiving benefits, or recognized disabled Sworn statement of non-benefit and employment termination proof or CDAPH certificate
Employee from company in difficulty Copy of judicial decision or attestation from liquidator/judge
Cape signatory Copy of Cape contract
Business in QPV Proof of business address in QPV
Business in ZFRR/ZFRR+ Proof of business address in ZFRR or ZFRR+
PreParE recipient Notification of last payment of the allowance

Important Information

  • Step-by-step guide: The Urssaf provides a detailed practical guide to complete the Acre application.

  • Processing time: Urssaf responds within 30 days; no response means Acre is considered granted.

  • New rule from July 1, 2026: Applications must be submitted within 60 days of the business start date shown on the proof of creation.

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