1. A three-way relationship framed by law
Portage salarial is a hybrid form of employment that lets an independent professional — the salarié porté — invoice clients for their services while enjoying employee status through an umbrella company, like Linkao. The relationship involves three parties: the employed consultant, the client company and the umbrella company.
In France, the scheme has been strictly regulated by the Labour Code since the ordinance of 2 April 2015, complemented by the industry collective agreement extended by decree on 28 April 2017. This legal framework guarantees the security of all three parties and sets precise rules every umbrella company must follow.
2. The conditions for entering portage salarial
To become a salarié porté, the law sets several cumulative conditions:
- Sufficient expertise, qualification or professional experience in your field — generally a two-year degree (Bac+2) or at least three years of experience.
- Delivering an intellectual service: consulting, training, technical expertise, project management, etc. Manual trades and personal services are excluded from the scheme.
- Working autonomously in finding your clients and negotiating your assignments — the umbrella company is not there to bring you business.
3. The employment contract: fixed-term or permanent
The umbrella company must sign an employment contract with the salarié porté, either fixed-term (CDD) or permanent (CDI). This contract guarantees every right attached to employee status: unemployment insurance, pension, prévoyance, company health cover and work-accident coverage.
In parallel, a commercial service contract is concluded between the umbrella company and the client company, defining the nature of the assignment, its duration and its price. It is precisely because these two contracts coexist that portage salarial offers both the freedom of independence and the security of employment.
4. A mandatory financial guarantee for umbrella companies
To operate, every umbrella company must take out a financial guarantee with an approved body. This guarantee secures the payment of salaries, social contributions and allowances owed to employed consultants, even if the umbrella company fails. It is an essential mark of seriousness to check before choosing your umbrella company.
5. The guaranteed minimum pay
The collective agreement sets a guaranteed minimum monthly pay, revalued every year, below which a salarié porté cannot be paid full time. On top of that come the management fees charged by the umbrella company, which must be clearly itemised in the contract, and a financial reserve designed to smooth periods without an assignment.
That’s why, at Linkao, we make it a point of honour to show you a transparent calculation of your net income before any signature: no guesswork, no surprises.
6. Activities excluded from portage salarial
The law explicitly excludes certain activities from the scope of portage salarial:
- Personal services (childcare, home help, etc.).
- Regulated professions requiring a specific status (medical, legal professions...).
- Pure commercial activities, such as selling or canvassing products.
In short
Portage salarial is a solidly regulated status, designed to protect the independent consultant, the client company and the balance of the system alike. Choosing your umbrella company well means securing support that complies with the regulation, is transparent on fees, and is socially secure.
With Linkao, see your real net income from the simulation onwards, and commit to your new professional life with full clarity.
