Help for artists — a specific social regime
Understanding the social regime for artist-authors, intermittent performers and the specific URSSAF procedures for creative professions in France.
Artists, a particular kind of worker
The social status of artists in France is one of the most complex in the world. There are two main families: artist-authors (visual artists, writers, photographers, illustrators, composers, scriptwriters) and performing arts professionals (actors, musicians, dancers, technicians — known as "intermittents du spectacle").
Each family deals with different organizations: URSSAF Limousin (formerly MDA and AGESSA) for artist-authors; France Travail spectacle, AFDAS and Audiens for intermittents. The LORD program orients artists toward the right resources and procedures.
Our conviction: without support for its artists, a society loses its memory and imagination. Supporting artists means supporting French culture.
Social regime for artist-authors (URSSAF Limousin)
Since 2019, URSSAF Limousin is the single body managing artist-authors' social contributions in France, replacing AGESSA and Maison des Artistes (MDA).
Who is concerned?
Visual artists, photographers, writers, scriptwriters, illustrators, composers, literary translators, choreographers — any artist receiving copyright income or revenue from selling their works.
Contributions
You contribute to URSSAF Limousin for health insurance, basic retirement, CSG, CRDS, continuous training (CFP) and the broadcaster contribution (paid by the broadcaster).
Income declaration
Your artistic income must be declared each year via your personal account on artistes-auteurs.urssaf.fr (different from your tax return).
Pre-collection
The broadcaster (gallery, publisher, producer) may have to pre-collect part of your contributions before paying you. Check your annual statement to avoid double payment.
Intermittent performers: key procedures
Annex 8 / Annex 10
The intermittent regime relies on two annexes: Annex 8 for technicians, Annex 10 for performing artists. Each declared "cachet" hour feeds your unemployment rights.
France Travail spectacle
Registration is mandatory from the first contract. Opening rights requires a certain number of cumulated hours over a reference period.
AFDAS, Audiens, Congés Spectacles
These funds manage training, welfare and paid leave for intermittents.
GUSO
The "Guichet Unique du Spectacle Occasionnel" (GUSO) lets occasional employers (weddings, events, nonprofits) declare an artist with a single URSSAF form.
Frequently asked questions
"I'm selling my first works — must I register with URSSAF Limousin?"
Yes. As soon as you have your first artistic income, you must identify yourself with URSSAF Limousin. The procedure is online at artistes-auteurs.urssaf.fr.
"How can I combine an artistic activity with another job?"
You can combine an artist-author activity with a salaried job, as a self-employed person or as a micro-entrepreneur, each with its own declaration regime.
"What if my broadcaster didn't pre-collect my contributions?"
You must declare your full income to URSSAF Limousin yourself. In some cases, you can request an adjustment from the broadcaster.
"How do I open unemployment rights as an intermittent?"
You must justify 507 hours of work as artist or technician over a 12-month period (subject to rule changes). Registration is at France Travail spectacle.