The auto-entrepreneur (or micro-enterprise) scheme is the number one choice for beginner food truckers in France. It offers unmatched administrative simplicity: online registration in minutes, no mandatory accounting statements, social contributions calculated directly on your actual turnover.
Contrary to popular belief, the sole trader status is perfectly suited to mobile catering. Thousands of food truckers operate under this status successfully every year. The key is to know the rules of the game: turnover thresholds, sanitary obligations, location permits, and cash flow management.
From legal structure to your first service — the complete roadmap.
The auto-entrepreneur (micro-enterprise) status is ideal for getting started. Register online in 15 minutes at autoentrepreneur.urssaf.fr. APE code 5610C for fast food catering.
Mandatory training for anyone handling food products. Duration: 14 hours, cost: €150–300. Many approved providers are available online or in person.
Buy new (€50–100k) or second-hand (€15–40k). Kitchen equipment: fryer, griddle, refrigeration. Verify sanitary compliance with an official vet from your local DDPP.
Contact your local town hall for markets and public spaces. Private markets require the landowner's agreement. Some municipalities have strict regulations — check in advance.
Professional liability, commercial vehicle insurance, goods protection. Budget: €150–300/month. Compare several offers — some insurers specialise in food trucks.
Payment terminal (SumUp is the most widely used), POS software, stock management. FoodTracks integrates directly with SumUp to track your sales and predict your stock needs.
The sole trader status does not allow you to reclaim VAT on your purchases. If your supply costs are high, this can impact your profitability.
Above €188,700 in turnover, you must change your legal structure. Plan ahead to avoid a forced transition mid-year.
As a sole trader, you are personally liable for debts. Take out solid professional liability insurance and keep rigorous accounts.
Some municipalities restrict food truck permits. Check local regulations before investing.
As a sole trader, every euro counts. Unlike a company, you cannot carry forward losses or reclaim VAT. Rigorous management of your stock, sales, and costs is the key to staying on track and growing with peace of mind.
Yes, it is entirely possible to set up a food truck under the auto-entrepreneur (sole trader / micro-enterprise) status. It is actually the preferred status for getting started: simplified registration, no complex accounting, contributions proportional to turnover. However, your activity must be registered under APE code 5610C (Fast food outside restaurants), and you must stay within the €188,700 turnover threshold to remain in the micro-enterprise scheme (2026 threshold).
In 2026, the turnover limit to remain an auto-entrepreneur in catering (sale of goods and consumable products) is €188,700 excluding tax per year. Beyond this, you will need to switch to another legal structure (SARL, SAS, EURL...). This threshold is revised regularly — check the official figures at autoentrepreneur.urssaf.fr.
To operate a food truck as a sole trader, you need several documents: 1) HACCP food hygiene training (mandatory); 2) A driving licence appropriate for your vehicle's gross weight (standard category B suffices up to 3.5 tonnes); 3) A public space occupation permit or market stall allocation for each location; 4) A vocational certificate or training attestation if you have no prior catering experience.
As a food truck sole trader, you must take out several types of insurance: 1) Professional liability insurance (RCP) — mandatory, covers damage caused to customers; 2) Professional vehicle insurance covering the commercial use of your truck; 3) Insurance for goods and professional equipment. Average combined cost is around €150–300/month.
Social contributions for an auto-entrepreneur in catering/retail represent approximately 12.3% of collected turnover (2026 rate for sales activities). On top of that, CFE (business property tax) is due from the second year, plus income tax depending on your situation (optional flat-rate withholding at 1% of turnover). Budget around 15–20% of your turnover for mandatory charges.
The sole trader status is ideal for getting started: no fixed costs, proportional charges, simple quarterly declarations. It is the right option if you generate less than €100,000/year. Beyond that, a SARL or SAS becomes interesting to optimise your tax, pay yourself a salary, and protect your personal assets. Many food truckers start as a micro-enterprise and switch to a company structure after 2–3 years of operation.