Employment, freelance or umbrella company
Which way of working fits your plans?
The choice depends on your activity, clients, need for autonomy and constraints. Compare the practical working arrangements before comparing headline income figures.
Guidance for a project in France. Freelancing is a way of working, not a single legal form. Portage salarial is a French contractual arrangement. This guide does not calculate take-home income.
Understand who contracts with whom
An employee has an employment contract with an employer. A freelancer may operate under different legal forms, each with obligations to check. Under French portage salarial, the worker has an employment contract with the portage company and performs a service for a client company.
Consider client acquisition and autonomy
Autonomy in delivering work does not remove the need to find clients. Service Public explains that a worker using portage must be able to find clients and negotiate the service. Ask who will secure assignments, negotiate deadlines and manage gaps between contracts.
Compare income with explicit assumptions
A billed day rate cannot be compared directly with a monthly salary. For independent work, list realistic billable days, expenses, sales time and periods without assignments. For portage, request a written breakdown of management fees, deductions and assumptions. Have your projection checked against your circumstances.
Check protection and entry conditions
A portage employment contract still requires a careful look at pay, leave and protection in practice. Service Public also explains qualification, experience and autonomy requirements. Consult the current guidance before making a decision; your proposed activity and actual contracts matter.
Ask questions before signing
Who manages the client relationship? Which expenses remain yours? What happens if an assignment ends or the client pays late? What obligations and insurance apply to your activity? Request written answers and ask a qualified adviser to examine administrative questions.
Compare three options using the same criteria
Complete this grid with the conditions of the actual offers and contracts you are considering. These prompts are starting points, not contractual guarantees.
| Criterion | Employment | Freelancing | French portage salarial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working relationship | Employment contract with an employer. | Client contracts under the chosen legal form. | Employment contract with the portage company; service for the client. |
| Finding clients | Depends on the role. | Must be organised to develop the activity. | Autonomy and client acquisition required. |
| Income comparison | Base pay, variable pay, hours and benefits. | Revenue, expenses, deductions and non-billable time. | Billing, management fees and detailed deductions. |
| What to check | Role scope and contract conditions. | Legal form, obligations and protection. | Eligibility, contract, fees and gaps between assignments. |
Choose the biggest uncertainty in your project and obtain a documented answer before ranking the options.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked on 9 September 2026. The exercises are proposed by Jobiwan; they are not tests validated by the organisations cited. Linked official sources are in French.
Le portage salarial est une relation contractuelle tripartite.
Original French quotation: portage is a three-party contractual relationship. Guidance verified 28 May 2026. Covers entry conditions, contracts and obligations in France.
Start with your plans before choosing an arrangement
Clarify your expectations, proposed activity and constraints through Jobiwan career support.