Yes, but they are French so are not risking their S1s. Which are quite valuable, so one has to make enough for it to be worth it. We sold a property recently and the exemption that the S1s gave us from CSG and CRDS was worth just under €20,000.
Interesting link, thank you @JaneJones !
I don’t really no what a S1 is to be honest. Something to do with pensions I guess. Is an S1 from the UK the same as Ireland ?
There are loads of EU nationals working beyond retirement age here and elsewhere.
Yes. Issued to people with State Pensions.
From what I can infer below is that the problem would not arise from the amount earned, but the professional level of equipment permanently invested in the source.
'Concretely, the service is in principle non-professional when it is provided by a person outside of their usual work.
The amount of remuneration paid is irrelevant. Thus, the service is professional if material or human resources have been permanently committed, even if the person receives a low remuneration. Conversely, the activity is non-professional if no significant time is devoted to its performance, even if the person receives a high remuneration.’
Avail. 6/10/25 at:-
Not quite true. If you claim your U.K. state pension but have worked in France (and claim a French pension) you are not entitled to an S1
Obviously.
I didn’t say that everyone with a State Pension gets an S1, merely that you can’t get a retirement S1 unless you have a State Pension. There are other types of S1, eg cross border workers,
Tim17 had the answer straight away. The article you linked to will not cut any ice if someone thinks you have broken the rules and decides to revoke your CDS/Visa or whatever. That is your life at stake. You are not French and not an EU citizen. Your rights are limited.
30 years ago I was was told to play by the rules. Cross your i’s and dot your t’s in France. I have always done so.
I am just wondering why paying social contributions in the normal way is so unthinkable. Goodness knows the healthcare system could do with the help.
And if she were to ever want to request French nationality, it might make all the difference.
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I don’t think it matters where items are being sold, it’s still declarable income, but I assume you’d have to sell either over 30 items or make over 2000 euros, before whatever platform being used had the obligation to report your earnings. Technically one commercial sale should mean you need to be properly registered. The whole system really sucks in France; it’s overly complicated, especially for those wanting the smallest of side hustles without paying out more than they make.
La maison des artistes would be the best people to ask. A friend’s mum is retired, but sells and exhibits a little, but their situation is different being French and having been well off enough that she never needed to work! To exhibit and sell personal artworks I believe they say you need to be affiliated straight after your first sale (I stand to be corrected).
Very unlikely that it would influence nationality unless business was established in France and earning a substantial amount, ie exceeding other non French income.
And for me it is not that paying social contributions is unthinkable, but at this stage of life having contributed to the UK system all my life I would be loathe to give up the benefits I have effectively accumulated for an insignificant income.
For me at least I would not be “committing material resources permanently” as I would have got rid of 90% of my camera gear before retiring to France, and although I will probably keep one camera and a couple of lenses with which I might take pictures now and again, it’s not going to be dedicated exclusively to professional use within France.
Also I would not be “devoting significant time” as these would be royalties from photos I have already taken, and the royalty remuneration originates from Canada and the USA not from customers within France. I might add a few photos to the libraries occasionally but it would only amount to a few hours activity per year.
But as the income from stock photos is never likely to amount to more than a few hundred Euros a year so I’m not going to jeopardise my visa status over it. 
To be fair our local drug dealers (and there are many) don’t pay tax or social contributions either.
Is that not the point. Painting’s acceptable drugs not.
20% VAT on the sale going to the UK government but not to France were they are painted.
Im not judging because the whole world does the same.
Would I do the same on a visa….No !
Thanks, but we’ve had sufficient dealings with them to realise that they’re as useless and unprofessional as much of the French art / art admin world.
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[quote=“Sandcastle, post:29, topic:55346, full:true”]
I am just wondering why paying social contributions in the normal way is so unthinkable.
Do you understand how an S1 works and what the benefits are?
France doesn’t lose any money because the UK government and one’s personal assurance are paying. Are you wealthy enough to happily donate a few thousand Euros to the French treasury every year without necessity ?
Sounds like you’re not up to speed on that issue: most UK pensioners are no longer eligible because their income comes from the UK not France.
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I think it’s 5% VAT on hand made paintings where VAT is applicable.
Sorry to hear that, I’m thinking of approaching them a bit later in the future, so I hope to have better luck. I’m not in the same situation though.
In the UK.
So who pays for all the services / infrastructure you are using ?
The French pay for you to use freely without contributing ?
I don’t get.
If we move to the UK all my dosh and tax will be paid in/to the UK.
In France all my tax is paid in/to France.
I pay my way in the country I live in.
Its that simple for me.
But do you volunteer to pay more than required? We pay property taxes, income tax, business tax, and social charges where they are due. But where there’s a choice of paying or not paying some tax or charge then opt for the route that avoids tax. Not evades, but avoids!
So we keep non-professional income below threshold.
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