International wage portage is for consultants who want to work on assignments in other countries. International wage portage is an ideal solution for consultants who want to work with foreign companies. Wage portage is also aimed at consultants who need to travel abroad for an assignment. In this context, the Employer of Record (EOR), as the employer, seconds the consultant. Consultants continue to work under the French social security system for the length of their service.   

Wage portage is very popular with consultants. It enables them to combine the advantages of salaried employment and entrepreneurship. The status of a ported employee gives consultants access to the same social security coverage that conventional employees have. 

Flexibility is another major advantage of wage portage. Consultants can work at their own pace and can choose their assignments. As a result, they are not limited by borders. Some consultants therefore choose to work for clients who are based in other countries. See here for more details on the conditions for working on foreign assignments which apply to ported employees. 

How do foreign wage portage assignments work?

How international wage portage works depends on the length of the stay and the kind of work being performed. These conditions determine the consultant’s status.

Who can benefit from foreign wage portage assignments?

International wage portage is ideal for managers and consultants who want to work in other countries. These assignments can be short or long-term, either on a one-off or a permanent basis.

This form of work is aimed at experienced professionals who want to work in other countries. Being a ported employee enables these professionals to compensate for any unfavorable working conditions in the host country. In this way, consultants can continue to benefit from the same social security coverage that French employees have.

International wage portage is also available to certain professionals living in France. These professionals can carry out assignments for companies based in other countries. And at the same time, they have the opportunity to work for clients based in France.

Ported employee status

Consultants who want to work abroad can take on the status of seconded employee.

This status is ideal for professionals who are planning to work on a temporary assignment that last up to two years. The country of destination must be a member of the EU or have a bilateral agreement with the French government. The French social security system therefore continues to apply.

How international wage portage assignments work?

The first step in international wage portage is to find a destination. The host country must meet the safety requirements laid down by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Contraindications and restrictions apply in certain countries. For French workers, secondments to London and New Delhi are among the most common.

The next step in the international wage portage process is searching for clients. It is a good idea to search for clients on platforms dedicated to freelancers and websites that publish job offers. Once they have found an assignment, consultants must compile the documents required by the destination country (e.g. a visa and insurance policies, including repatriation insurance, are required).

The EOR covers professional civil liability during the assignment abroad. Ported consultants are responsible for their repatriation insurance. However, ported consultants may claim this insurance as a business expense associated with the assignment.