Activity Bonus: Are You Eligible?
The activity bonus is a social benefit designed to supplement the income of workers with modest resources.
Its main objective is to encourage employment or a return to work, while supporting the purchasing power of working individuals, whether employees or self-employed.
1. What changes as of April 1, 2026
A significant reform of the activity bonus comes into force on April 1, 2026.
This update is expected to benefit nearly three million households, with an average gain estimated at €50 per month.
On the same date, the basic monthly lump sum for a single person is increased to €638.28 (pursuant to Decree No. 2026-222 of March 30, 2026).
2. Who is eligible?
To qualify for this benefit, several cumulative criteria must be met:
- Age and activity: You must be at least 18 years old and engaged in a professional activity or receiving compensation under partial or technical unemployment schemes.
- Residence: You must reside in France on a stable basis, i.e., at least nine months per year.
- Nationality: You must be a French national, a citizen of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or hold a valid residence permit for at least five years.
- Specific situations: Workers temporarily posted in France are not eligible.
In addition, individuals on parental leave, sabbatical leave, or unpaid leave are generally not eligible, unless they also receive professional income.
Students and apprentices: They may also be eligible provided they are solely responsible for one or more children, or receive a net monthly social income from work exceeding €1,117.26.
3. Calculation of the amount
The amount of the bonus is personalized and calculated according to a formula that takes into account household composition, all resources of household members, social benefits received, and housing situation.
The basic lump sum (€638.28) is increased depending on family composition:
- +50% for the first additional person.
- +30% for each subsequent additional person.
- Specific increases apply to single parents (128.412% of the base amount) and for each dependent child.
There is also an individual bonus for each working member of the household whose average monthly professional income exceeds €709.18.
Please note that the activity bonus is not subject to income tax.
4. How to apply?
Applications can be made via an online service or by submitting a form to the Caisse d’allocations familiales (CAF) or the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA).
Once the application is approved, the benefit is paid monthly for a period of three months.
The amount remains fixed during this quarter, regardless of changes in income.
Procedures have now been simplified thanks to the pre-filling of quarterly income declarations, based on data provided by employers.
Beneficiaries simply need to check and validate this information each quarter.
Med venlig hilsen / Kind regards
Cabinet Nicolas BRAHIN
Advokatfirma i NICE, Lawyers in NIC
Camilla Nissen MICHELIS
Assistante – Traductrice
1, Rue Louis Gassin – 06300 NICE (FRANCE)
Tel : +33 493 830 876 / Fax : +33 493 181 437
Camilla.nissen.michelis@brahin-avocats.com
www.brahin-avocats.com
