Volunteer firefighter salary: understand all about allowances and benefits in 2025

Understandingvoluntary firefighters' allowancesin 2025 offers a clear and reassuring vision for those who are thinking of engaging, whether it is by wanting to give a new meaning to their daily lives or by balancing their budget in full transparency. This guide details the amounts, conditions and aid, drawing on precise figures and concrete examples, enabling everyone to assess the real impact of the commitment as a whole.volunteer firefighter, both on oneself and on his entourage.

Volunteer Firefighters' Allowances 2025: Official numbers by grade, increments and key points

In 2025, a volunteer firefighter received an hourly allowance of8,71 €for the grade of sapor, up to and including13.11 €/hFor the officers. These amounts, net of taxes and increased in December, are relatively often questioned, especially when compared to the SMIC. Let us take a closer look at the scales, the night and Sunday supplements, and in practice, what this means for its budget... or for an employer.

To be deducted – these allowances are exempt from income tax, but it remains essential to mention them on your annual return (source:CDG16– Ordered December 2025). For200 hours in the year, a sapper totals a nearby sum1 740 €. This comparison immediately highlights the difference with a classic monthly wage, which many notice.

Become a volunteer firefighter: status, conditions and engagement procedures

Engaging as a volunteer firefighter means making the choice to serve your community while remaining framed and protected. Access arrangements, different grades and reconciliation between employment and family life are governed by specific rules, which reassures many applicants.

Status: allowance, non-salary

The status of VPS (voluntary firefighter) involves voluntary participation in the public service, and the compensation received does not correspond to a classic "salary": it simply compensates for the time invested. This distinction is essential; There is no regular payroll, but certain entitlements are provided, including specific allowances, such as retirement (from 2026). One trainer suggested that this shade often avoids confusion on the first tax return.

To be admitted, it is better to meet several conditions including:

• Be between 16 and 55 years of age in the first application (with parental agreement before majority)
• Legally residing in France and enjoying its civil rights
• Successful medical check-up (compulsory visit every 4 years up to 45 years, then every 2 years thereafter)

Sometimes a 40-year-old employee, in good health and living in a rural municipality, transmits his file to the departmental SDIS and then obtains an initial commitment of 5 years, renewable. Some professionals also believe that this model promotes access to voluntary work in non-urban areas.

Access and application process

It is noted that the procedure remains accessible, but a complete file is required, letter of reasons, supporting documents, maintenance and then initial training organised by the SDIS. These steps are based on the code of local authorities.

Keep in mind:

• An initial commitment lasts5 years, renewable depending on certain situations (suspension or sudden incapacity)
• Graduation to rank depends on training and seniority – some find that it is sometimes necessary to wait before gaining NCO status

You might ask yourself, "Is this compatible with a current job?" In addition, the Act provides for a set of measures to facilitate the management of absences, as well as the provision of evidence for the employer. Some SME managers mentioned that the presence of a VPS in the team may give rise to an option of compensation.

Hourly allowances by grade, increments and evolution 2025

Putting on the uniform gives some pride, but the financial dimension also counts. Let us examine the figures, night bonuses and the recent increase in such allowances, bearing in mind the atypical situations encountered in some departments.

Amounts 2025 and comparative grid

Here's the official detail at1/12/2025 :

These amounts, net of tax, have been updatedend 2025(source: Service-Public.fr, CDG16).

Increases and special cases

Supplements are provided according to the nature of the mission:

• During night missions (between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.), or on Sundays and public holidays, a100 % increaseapplies, or twice the hourly allowance; a sapper perceives then17.42 €/hin these circumstances
• Some departments adopt specific scales for special or periodic missions, which explains the variability found

It's not always obvious to memorize all the increments, but a trick regularly recommended: check your annual reading hours, especially if night guards become frequent. Some SPVs note that vigilance on these lines helps to avoid reporting omissions when calculating an annual amount.

Tax benefits, NPFR and loyalty benefits

Money doesn't do everything, of course. However, voluntary firefighters benefit from tax exemptions and a real bonus at the end of their career, namedNPFR(New Loyalty and Recognition Benefit). Moreover, this device is sometimes cited to attract vocations to areas where fidelity is lacking.

Tax exemption and social contributions

The question often comes back, proof of its importance: Hourly allowances are not taxable on income, but they must be entered on your tax return. This allows, in case of control, to justify the payment via your annual SDIS statement. It can also be seen that the amounts are not included in the basis for calculating social contributions (CSG,CRDS).

NPFR and loyalty bonus: how much and for whom?

TheNPFRis paid after 15 years of voluntary employment. Some benchmarks:

• Between 15 and 19 years of service, count512.50 €/year
• From 20 to 24 years, the premium reaches1 024,95 €
• From 35 years and over, she climbs to3,074.85 €/year

This amount is added each year to the basic allowances. In practice, a combined VPS200 h/yearand20 years of seniorityperceives about1 870 €(indemnities) +1 024 €(fidelity), or close to2 900 €net over the year as a whole. In other words, it is not fortune, but this "supplement" becomes precious over time; Some centre officials mentioned that this mechanism encourages loyalty.

Comparison of SMIC, SPV allowances and salaries of professional firefighters

A question comes up relatively often: "Is it really less well paid than a SMIC?" The comparative table speaks for itself.

Another point to note is that the voluntary allowance "supports" a budget or enhances effort, without replacing a conventional wage. Many consider this to be the limit of the current system; Some labour law experts regret the small increase in the voluntary allowance compared to theSMIC(source : Banquedesterritoires.fr, Service-Public.fr).

For illustration purposes,200 hours of volunteering per yearequivalent to1 742 €annual allowances, i.e. approximately145 €/month. It appears that this sum, for a few, allows to balance expenses on an ad hoc basis.

Suspension, termination, allowance and retirement of VPS

The following is part of the commitment. What happens during suspension or cessation of activity? The legal framework usually protects your rights and unlocks useful but sometimes unknown options.

For those who wish to engage fully, our guide «Becoming a firefighter in Paris: a complete guide to recruitment to the life of barracks» offers all the keys to succeed this demanding journey.

To better situate volunteer firefighters' allowances, it may be interesting to compare with thesalary police commissioner: figures, progress and reality of the profession.

The voluntary firefighters' allowances in 2025 are part of a logic of valorisation similar to that mentioned in thePublication of gendarmerie promotion table 2025: dates, access and promotion.

Temporary or permanent suspension

Occupational, health or family impediments occur regularly. A suspension of commitment, until5 years maximum(minimum 6 months) is therefore provided for by law. It is relatively often recommended to retain all the acquired (grade, seniority), except in special cases, e.g. after SIDS investigation.

The commitment automatically closes at67 years, with a possible extension up to 70 or 72 in certain specific contexts. Some officials suggest that this flexibility helps maintain an experienced team.

Retirement and end-of-service allowance

From2026, years of volunteering will count for retirement : after10 yearsexercise, you validate1 quarter. With20 years, 2 quarters. 3 quartersfrom25 years. Last point to note: in the event of a death in service, a specific inheritance allowance is provided to support the family.

Some professionals insist on a practical point: the loyalty benefit account (FBA) allows for an additional payment each year for VPS who have reached a number of years of commitment.

Regulatory FAQ: everything you wanted to ask without daring to formulate it

Are you still looking for a specific answer or want to raise a common doubt? These are the typical questions, accompanied by their official reference, gathered here as some unions do during their open days.

Are voluntary firefighters' allowances taxable?

No, these benefits are exempt from income tax, however, they must be reported annually.

What is the average annual amount for an SPV?

For200 hours/year, it represents between1 700 €and1 900 €Gross (excludingNPFR). VPS most involved sometimes exceed3 000 €/year, thanks to increases and seniority.

What supplements for nights, Sundays, holidays?

The hours concerned shall be increased by+100 %. Which doubles the amount for each period.

SPV and salaried employment: Is it compatible?

Yes, it is better to know that the employee is protected by law: he can justify his absences, negotiate the recovery or donation of days of rest with the agreement of the employer. Compensation aid may exist for SMEs (up to2 000 €/SPV employee/year, depending on the circumstances).

Where and how to apply?

The procedure is carried out with the departmental SDIS (directory on Service-Public.fr or via contacts in town hall). Prepare your motivation, gather the documents and be available for the interview! Sometimes a candidate gets a positive answer in a few steps over a few weeks.

Practical resources and useful links

• Public service: regulation, SIDS contacts, compensation simulator
• Official Table CDG16 (indemnities 2025 by grade)
• Upgrading analysis, NPFR and comparative SMIC

It's up to you now... and if your department lacks volunteers, keep in mind that there is always a place for a new face (even beginner!). Some rescue centres report that word of mouth makes all the difference in small towns.

Updated on 23 March 2026