Can you be a freelance developer and have a side gig?

Whether it's for a gradual transition to independence, combining multiple income sources, or bringing together several projects of different natures, all of this is possible with the micro-enterprise, quite simply.

Here are two possible scenarios, and the legal obligations surrounding them:

Combining a micro-enterprise with a job (fixed-term/permanent contract/...)

If you're employed and want to start branching out as a freelancer, or if your assignments aren't enough to make a living, it's possible to combine a self-employed business with a regular job.

The three conditions to respect are:

• That your contract (permanent/fixed-term) doesn't prohibit you from having a self-employed business on the side
• That you don't compete with your employer
• That your independent activity doesn't harm your "regular" job in terms of time, performance, etc.

Aside from these three conditions, it's perfectly possible to be employed AND a freelancer.

For more information, check out the page "Peut-on cumuler un emploi salarié et une micro-entreprise ?" on the website of the Ministry of the Economy!

Combining two independent activities under the same micro-enterprise

Do you provide services, but also want to sell a SaaS product? Are you a driving instructor by day and a developer by night?

Nothing stops you from combining several activities under the same business, since in any case, you can't open multiple micro-enterprises for the same individual.

You'll simply need to respect two conditions:

• Declare all your activities to the administration (when creating the business, or when adding an activity)
• Make sure to declare the income from your different activities in the correct boxes, and not exceed the various thresholds when combining all your income

For more information, check out the page "Micro-entreprise : peut-on exercer plusieurs activités ?" on the website of the Ministry of the Economy!