Becoming a virtual assistant in France: an honest guide to getting started

Virtual assistant is one of the few serious paths to remote work without a degree. But the gap between Instagram promises and the actual French market is huge. Here, in 2026, is what it really pays, how to register legally, and how to fund the prospecting phase.

What is a virtual assistant?

A VA handles remotely the tasks a client doesn't have time, energy or skill to do: calendar and inbox management, invoicing, client follow-ups, community moderation, social-media scheduling, CRM, level-1 customer support, research, formatting decks…

It's a freelance job, not employment. Typical clients: solopreneurs (coaches, consultants, creators), small businesses (e-commerce, real estate, professional services), sometimes agencies. The work is 100% online with standard tools: Google Workspace, Notion, Slack, Trello, Canva, Loom.

How much do French VAs really earn?

The ranges below come from Malt, Comet, LinkedIn and active French VA communities. They exclude unrealistic "€5,000/month in 3 months" promises.

6 specialisations that pay above average

1. Executive assistant — calendar and inbox for an executive, prioritisation, meeting notes. Rate: €25–45/h.
2. Social-media VA — scheduling, moderation, reporting on Meta/LinkedIn/TikTok. Rate: €25–40/h.
3. E-commerce / Shopify VA — product sheets, support, stock, returns. Rate: €22–35/h.
4. Real-estate VA — lead qualification, appointment setting, agent follow-up. Rate: €22–35/h, often with commission top-up.
5. Podcast / video VA — audio editing, captions, show notes, repurposing into LinkedIn posts. Rate: €30–50/h.
6. LinkedIn / newsletter ghostwriter — writing under the client's identity. Rate: €800–3,000/month packages for 8–20 posts.

General rule: specialised > generalist. A VA who sells "full-stack VA" struggles compared to one who sells "podcast assistant for B2B creators". Specialisation justifies a higher rate.

Legal status and taxation in France

As soon as the activity becomes regular (beyond a few one-off hours a year), you must register. The simplest status is the micro-entreprise under BNC (Non-Commercial Profits, non-regulated liberal profession).

• Free registration via the INPI single window (formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr) — SIRET delivered within 1 to 4 weeks.
• Annual micro-BNC ceiling: €77,700 of revenue.
• URSSAF contributions: ~21.2% of cashed revenue (BNC liberal profession).
• Income tax: flat 34% allowance, or 2.2% liberatory payment of revenue.
• No VAT as long as you stay below VAT franchise thresholds.
• Combining with micro-tasks: your Microtaches earnings add to your BNC revenue. Details on combining.
• Annual filing: see our guide on declaring micro-task income — the logic is identical for VA revenue.

Skills and tools you'll need

• Solid office suite: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar), Microsoft 365.
• Project management tools: Notion, Trello, ClickUp, Asana — at least one mastered for real.
• Client communication: Slack, Loom (async video), Zoom, Meet.
• Basic visual design: Canva for social visuals, presentations, LinkedIn carousels.
• Light automation: Zapier, Make or n8n — strong differentiator after 6 months of activity.
• Service mindset and rigour: confidentiality (GDPR), deadlines, clean recaps.

How to land your first clients

1. LinkedIn — profile optimised on one specialisation, 2 to 3 posts/week, personalised messages (never spam) to target profiles.
2. Malt & Comet — serious French freelance platforms, ideal for first contracts with companies.
3. Word of mouth — tell your pro and personal network, ask for referrals after every completed mission.
4. French-speaking VA Facebook groups — overflow missions, mutual help, subcontracting.
5. US/UK markets over time — Upwork, Belay, Time etc. pay better but require professional English.
6. One-page site — not essential at the start, but useful once you want to position a clear offer.

Traps to avoid when starting out

• Underpricing from day one ("€8/h to build a portfolio") — you'll be stuck at that rate for months.
• Working off the books beyond a few hours — URSSAF risk, tax audit, platform exclusion.
• "Agencies" taking 40–60% margin with no real value — always read the contract first.
• Fake clients asking for a multi-hour unpaid test — beyond 30 minutes, a serious test is paid.
• Instagram promises of "€5,000/month in 90 days" — the real average after 1 year of French VA activity is around €1,800–2,500/month gross.
• Mixing up VA and freelance secretary — the secretary profession exists with its own codes and sometimes stricter rules.

Do I need a degree to become a virtual assistant?

No. No degree is required in France to work as a VA. What matters: mastery of office tools, rigour, service mindset and a clear specialisation after the first few months.

How many hours per week to live off it?

To target €2,000 net/month, plan 25 to 30 billable hours per week at €20–25/h, plus 5 to 10 unpaid hours (prospecting, admin, training). After 6 months, prospecting naturally shrinks via word of mouth.

Can I combine it with employment?

Yes, unless your employment contract has an exclusivity clause. Check your contract and inform your employer if a loyalty or non-compete clause applies. URSSAF explicitly authorises combining employment + micro-entreprise.

Combining with RSA, unemployment benefit or a grant?

Yes, but to be declared to CAF, France Travail (ex-Pôle Emploi) or CROUS depending on your status. Freelance income can reduce benefits above certain thresholds. Check with your advisor before registering.

VA, freelancer, independent secretary: what's the difference?

"VA" is a marketing term for a freelancer who handles administrative/support tasks remotely. "Independent secretary" is a historical French status, often registered under BNC or BIC depending on the services. In both cases, the recommended starting status is micro-entreprise.

How do I land my very first client without experience?

Three parallel levers: an ultra-specialised LinkedIn profile, personalised messages to 5–10 target profiles per day for 4–6 weeks, and a first mandate at an acceptable rate (not slashed) from your direct network. The first signed client unlocks the next via referral.