Suspension of the French Decree on Social Security

The Federation of Nautical Industries has obtained a decision in principle from the Prime Minister Edouard Philippe to rule out the application of the decree which has negatively impacted the yachting industry on the Cote d’Azur since it was first published in March. 

The Riviera Yachting Network, chaired by Laurent Falaize, has been calling for this decision since the beginning of the summer, alongside joint letters from regional politicians including ECPY in Nice.

The Federation of Nautical Industries had recently intensified its appeal to the government for a moratorium and following discussions yesterday the application of the decree has been suspended pending a new law to be announced in the coming weeks. 

It looks likely that the revised approach will give seafarers the right to choose their social regime according to their own needs and those of the vessel on which they work. 

The original decree required yacht crew to contribute to the French social security system if they spent more than three months in France. This triggered immediate discontent and uncertainty, and both the national and international media have reported on an exodus of superyachts to Italy and Spain.   

The timing of this news couldn’t be better, just as the Yachting Festival of Cannes kicks off today with the Monaco Yacht Show at the end of this month. As well as restoring a degree of confidence among owners and potential owners, local shipyards are also back in the bidding for maintenance and refits over the winter months. 

FIN President and chairman of Beneteau Group, Yves Lyon-Caen, said, "It was crucial for us to get a favorable decision now. It shows that we have been heard by the government and it should stabilize the situation just as decisions and plans are being made for the months to come."

We'll keep you updated as developments unfold.