France unemployment benefit (ARE) calculator

The amount per day and month, the duration of the benefit and the degressivity in France, with the Unédic rules in force in 2026.

Gross benefit per month

€1,405.50

that is €46.85 a day, for 548 days (about 18.3 months)

€46.85 gross a day
548 days
Total: €25,673.80

With a gross salary of €2,500 a month for 24 months, the reference daily wage is €82.19 and the benefit €46.85 gross a day: €1,405.50 a month, for 548 days (about 18.3 months), so €25,673.80 in total before deductions.

The first payment does not arrive right away: it follows any deferrals (unused paid leave, termination payments above the legal minimum) and a waiting period of 7 days.

These are gross amounts: France Travail withholds CSG and CRDS (6.2% and 0.5% of 98.25% of the benefit, when it exceeds €61 a day, with exemptions or a reduced rate depending on your income) and a supplementary pension contribution of 3% of the reference daily wage.
The calculation assumes a stable salary, full-time employment without interruption and a contract end that gives a right to the ARE. Part-time work, periods without work, variable salary: the reference wage and the duration change, and France Travail recalculates on your data.

I’m not an accountant or a financial advisor. This is an estimate, for information only. Check with a professional before you decide.

Your numbers

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Average gross monthly salary

The average gross salary per month over the period worked, bonuses included but without termination payments. The calculation assumes a stable salary and full-time, continuous employment.

Months worked before the end of the contract

The months worked without interruption, in the last 24 months (36 months if you are 55 or over). About 6 months full time (130 days worked) are needed to open an entitlement.

Your age at the end of the contract

Age affects the reference period, the maximum duration and the degressivity.

Under 55up to 548 days55 or 56up to 685 days57 or overup to 822 days

Contract ended by an individual conventional termination?

If the end of the contract set by the termination agreement falls on or after 1 September 2026, the maximum duration is 15 months before age 55 and 20.5 months from 55 (Unédic).

YesNo

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The calculation

Step	How	Value
Reference daily wage (SJR)	€2,500 × 12 ÷ 365	€82.19
40.4% of the SJR + €13.18	proportional part plus fixed part	€46.39
57% of the SJR		€46.85
Benefit per day	the more favourable: 57% of the SJR	€46.85
Benefit per month	based on 30 days	€1,405.50
Duration of the benefit	730 calendar days × 0.75	548 days
Total before deductions	548 days at €46.85	€25,673.80

How it works

The reference daily wage (SJR) is the total of the gross salaries of the reference period divided by the number of calendar days of that period, non-working days included. With a stable salary and continuous employment it is the monthly salary × 12 ÷ 365, with a ceiling of €526.68 a day (four times the Social Security ceiling).
The daily benefit is the more favourable of two calculations: 40.4% of the SJR plus a fixed part of €13.18, or 57% of the SJR. It cannot be lower than €32.13 or higher than 75% of the SJR, and it is paid each month on the basis of 30 days.
The duration is the number of calendar days between the first day of the first contract and the end of the last, in the last 24 months (36 from age 55), multiplied by 0.75, with 182 days at least. The maximum is 548 days before 55, 685 days at 55 and 56 and 822 days from 57; for an individual conventional termination whose contract end falls on or after 1 September 2026, 456 days before 55 and 624 days from 55.
Before age 55, if the benefit exceeds €92.57 a day (which corresponds to a gross salary of about €4,940 a month), it falls by 30% from the 7th month, without going below €92.57 a day.

Worked example

€2,500 gross a month for 24 months, under 55: SJR = 2,500 × 12 ÷ 365 = €82.19. 40.4% of the SJR plus €13.18 gives €46.39; 57% of the SJR gives €46.85: that is the more favourable, so €46.85 a day, or €1,405.50 a month. Duration: 730 days × 0.75 = 547.5, so 548 days (about 18 months), the maximum before 55: 548 × €46.85 = €25,673.80 in total, before deductions.

Sources

Text checked on October 6, 2026

Good to know

The rules come from Unédic (agreement of 15 November 2024 and its amendment No. 2 of 10 April 2026). Benefits were not revalued on 1 July 2026: the minimum benefit of €32.13, the fixed part of €13.18 and the degressivity floor of €92.57 stay those of July 2025.
The calculation assumes a stable salary, full-time and continuous employment, and a contract end that gives a right to the ARE (dismissal, end of a fixed-term contract or assignment, conventional termination, resignation considered legitimate). With part-time work, periods without a contract or variable pay, the reference wage and the duration change: France Travail recalculates on your data.
Payment does not start at the end of the contract. There is a paid-leave deferral (the compensatory payment for paid leave divided by the SJR, at most 30 days), a specific deferral if the employer paid termination amounts above the legal minimum (at most 150 days, 75 days for an economic dismissal) and a waiting period of 7 days.
You must register with France Travail within 12 months of the end of the employment contract. The benefit is paid if you are actively looking for work, under the commitment contract, and it stops at the legal retirement age if you have all your quarters.
These are gross amounts. On the benefit, France Travail withholds CSG and CRDS, when it exceeds €61 a day (unless exempt or at a reduced rate depending on your income), and a supplementary pension contribution of 3% of the SJR: the net is lower.

Frequently asked questions

How much do you get on unemployment in France?

In principle 57% of the reference daily wage, or 40.4% of it plus €13.18 a day if that is more favourable, with a minimum of €32.13 a day and at most 75% of the SJR. For €2,500 gross a month, that is €46.85 a day, so €1,405.50 a month.

How long does the benefit last?

It depends on the calendar days of the period worked (24 months at most, 36 months from age 55), multiplied by 0.75, with 182 days at least and 548 days at most before 55 (685 days at 55 and 56, 822 days from 57). After an individual conventional termination whose contract end is on or after 1 September 2026: 456 days before 55, 624 days from 55.

How long do you need to have worked?

At least 130 days or 910 hours (about 6 months full time) in the last 24 months, or 36 months from age 55. Seasonal workers and people registering for the first time open an entitlement from 108 days or 758 hours.

Does the benefit fall over time?

Before 55, yes if it exceeds €92.57 a day (a gross salary of about €4,940 a month): it falls by 30% from the 7th month, without going below €92.57. This does not apply from age 55.

Do you get unemployment benefit after resigning?

In principle no. There are exceptions: a resignation considered legitimate (following a spouse who is transferred, for example), a validated career-change project, or a review by the regional joint body after 121 days if you have looked for work.