Good news: you can absolutely launch a micro-enterprise while receiving unemployment benefits (ARE)! Depending on your situation, you can either continue receiving monthly payments or opt for a one-time capital payment to kickstart your business 💸
✅ Who is eligible?
To benefit from ARE or ARCE, you must:
Be registered with Pôle emploi
Have opened rights to unemployment benefits
Create or take over a business (micro, SASU, EURL — all are eligible ✅)
Be over 18, with a valid residence permit if you’re not an EU citizen
🔀 Two options: ARE or ARCE
1. ARE (Aide au Retour à l’Emploi / Return to Work Allowance)
You’ll continue receiving your unemployment benefits each month, while reporting your business revenue. Based on your declared income, Pôle emploi adjusts the monthly payment (which also extends the total duration of your rights ⏳).
👁 Example:
You earn €600 revenue and are eligible for €1,000 ARE — Pôle emploi will reduce your allowance accordingly.
2. ARCE (Lump-sum Business Creation Support)
You’ll receive 45% of your remaining unemployment benefits in two installments:
50% when your business is created
50% six months later
💡 Note: You will no longer receive monthly ARE after this, but you get quick cash upfront to invest.
🧠 Important: You must be granted ACRE to be eligible for ARCE.
💰 What about ACRE?
ACRE (Aid for Business Creation) is required to receive ARCE, and also highly beneficial under ARE:
It gives you a 50% reduction on social charges for 12 months 🧾
It must be requested during business registration, and Candosa handles it for you 🙌
✅ So make sure to check “Yes, I want to apply for ACRE” during signup, even if you choose ARE.
📋 Example
👩💼 Sophie launches her micro-enterprise in February.
She receives €1,200/month in ARE
She earns €400 in March
She stays on ARE
👉 Pôle emploi applies a formula and pays her ~€800 that month, on top of her self-employment income.
If she had chosen ARCE, she would have received around €8,000 in two installments (based on her remaining rights).
🤔 ARE or ARCE: which one should I choose?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Option | Pros | Cons |
ARE | Stable monthly income + you keep your micro revenue | Monthly reporting can be complex |
ARCE | Upfront capital to fund your business | No monthly benefits after the lump sum |
👉 Your Pôle emploi advisor can run a simulation to help you choose 📞