Questions?

It can be, but you need to consider the benefits as well as the costs. For example, if you want to be able to control when and how people work for you instead of leaving up to them, then you need to have them on a work contract rather than as a freelancer. Don't forget that a freelancer could end up costing you more as they cannot claim holiday or sickness pay, so would need to charge a higher rate to compensate. If you would like a simulation to give you an idea of the costs, please contact us.

We have a very simple cost structure - an initial set up fee per contract, a monthly fee per payslip and a fee for processing a leaver. Please send an email to request our current pricelist or complete the Contact Form

If your UK company doesn't do any business in France and doesn't have any need for a branch there, but you have staff working for you remotely from their home in France, then you could set up a French payroll for a non-resident company. This is an expensive option due to the high rate of employer's social charges, but sometimes it's the only way to continue employing that staff member. The alternative is that they become self-employed in France and charge you for their services as a freelancer. 

Usually around 2 weeks but it can be longer, so it's a good idea to plan at least a month in advance, preferably longer.  If you are short on time and need to pay staff, it is possible to get the net pay figures to you sooner, but it is essential that new employees are set up no later than 2 weeks from their start date.

A CDD  is a short, fixed-term contract which can only be used in certain circumstances e.g. for seasonal work. A CDI is a permanent contract. Either can be full time or part time.

No more really than it is from a UK payroll, but it is true that France has strong worker protections. There are ways of managing such situations including a formal agreement between employer and employee.

I am a qualified UK accountant with over 30 years experience and having been operating a UK payroll service since 1995. I am also a qualified French payroll professional and have been running an independent payroll service since 2018.