Best format for small scale consulting activity

Hi there,

I am currently establishing an agricultural business in several countries in Africa. My investors will fund this activity via a holding company (possibly based in Europe, possibly outside the EU depending on their requirements). I will also be a shareholder in the holding.

I will remain based in France and will manage many of the business’s activities remotely with monthly trips to the region to check progress on the ground. I would like to receive net, final payment in my bank account of 40,000EUR for the first year. I am looking for the most cost-efficient way for the investors to provide me with this sum. I was thinking that the autoentrepreneur option might be a good one.

Some additional details:

- I envisage travel and accommodation costs of c. 10KEUR for the year
- The local operating companies are in a sector that is exempted from VAT
- The local operating companies may be exempted from income tax too
- I am a British national but with a residency permit through 2024

I had looked at the autoentrepreneur option but was unsure of how to calculate the approximate gross cost to the investors of my ‘consultancy’ charge since the amount will exceed the c. 35KEUR threshold for VAT.

Any help thinking about the best option for me and the approximate final cost for the year’s work to investors would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks for your guidance!