Freelance Day Rate Calculator
Worked example (the default inputs above): €50,000 target net income, 200 billable days, €5,000 expenses, 25% tax + contributions → required gross €71,667 → day rate €358/day (€5,972/month equivalent).
Key fact: Shine, the French digital bank for freelancers backed by Société Générale, pairs a French IBAN with built-in invoicing tools (Coinroop, 10 Best Digital Banks in France 2026) — the account many France-based freelancers pair with the rate this calculator produces.
What this calculator does
This calculator turns the income you want to keep into the day rate you must charge. Most freelancers undercharge because they divide their old salary by working days and forget tax, social contributions, expenses and non-billable time. This tool fixes all four: it grosses your target income up for tax, adds your business expenses, and divides by the days you actually bill.
→ Best Bank Account for Filipinos in France — October 2026 Guide
How to use it (4 steps)
- Enter the annual net income you want to keep — the money after tax and contributions, not your old salary.
- Enter your billable days per year — most freelancers bill 180–220 days after holidays, admin and gaps between clients.
- Add your annual business expenses (software, insurance, equipment, coworking, accounting).
- Enter your combined tax + social contribution rate as a percentage, then read your day rate instantly.
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The formula
Required gross = target net ÷ (1 − tax rate) + expenses. Day rate = required gross ÷ billable days. Example: €50,000 ÷ (1 − 0.25) = €66,667; + €5,000 expenses = €71,667; ÷ 200 days = €358/day.
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Worked example with real numbers
A designer in France wants to keep €50,000 a year. At a 25% combined tax and contribution rate, she must gross €50,000 ÷ 0.75 = €66,667 before tax. Add €5,000 of business expenses and the required gross is €71,667. Over 200 billable days, that is €71,667 ÷ 200 = €358 per day — about €5,972 a month if the work spreads evenly. Charge less than €358 and one of three things gives: the target income, the holidays, or the expenses. The most common mistake is using 260 working days instead of billable days: at 260 days the same numbers give €276/day, which looks attractive and leaves the freelancer €16,000 short by year end (illustrative example).
→ Best Bank Account for Filipinos in France — October 2026 Guide
Reference table
How the day rate moves with your inputs (target €50,000 net, €5,000 expenses — illustrative figures):
| Billable days | At 20% tax + contributions | At 25% | At 35% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 | €375/day | €398/day | €458/day |
| 200 | €338/day | €358/day | €412/day |
| 220 | €307/day | €326/day | €375/day |
→ Rent Affordability Calculator for Expats in Europe 2026
Sources and disclaimer
Method: the standard freelance pricing formula — target income grossed up for tax and contributions, plus expenses, divided by billable days. Tax and contribution rates vary by country and regime (France micro-entrepreneur, Italy forfettario, German Kleinunternehmer and others all differ) — enter your own effective rate. Data year: 2026.
Estimate only — not tax or financial advice. This tool estimates a pricing target only. It is not tax advice and does not determine your actual tax or contribution rate — check your national tax authority or a qualified adviser for your regime. Always verify current figures with the official source or a qualified adviser before making decisions.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links below may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you — see our affiliate disclosure.
→ VAT Calculator: Add & Remove VAT — EU Rates 2026
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