Company registration France
France offers a booming market for entrepreneurs interested in expanding their business ventures. If you’ve been considering an opportunity to expand your business outside your jurisdiction, we can help you with the process of setting up a company in France!
Holding a prestigious spot in the world economy, this European country has a lot to offer foreign investors. France’s population of around 66 million people offers a lucrative market for you to invest in.
Tourism, pharmaceuticals, food exports, and fashion are at the heart of France’s economy. With unwavering high standards and a favorable position in the world economy, setting up your company in France will prove beneficial for you.
Its closeness to the profitable UK market and its position in the post-Brexit Eurozone make France an ideal choice for companies that need to transfer their businesses in the EU or trade with the UK.
Setting up a company in France with the help of experienced professionals ensures the smoothest, most cost-effective procedure for you.
However, if you are choosing between a few countries in Europe and you are not sure where to incorporate, have a look at our tips how to make the right choice, or talk to us today for free.
Forms Of Companies In France
- SARL “société à responsabilité limitée”—limited liability company
- EURL “entreprise unipersonelle à responsibilité limitée”—limited company in the ownership of one person
- SAS “société par actions simplifiée”—limited liability company by shares
- S.A “A Societé Anonyme”—public limited company that;s normally used by businesses that want to go public on the stock exchange or increase their shareholders
- SELARL “société d’exercice libéral à responsabilité limitée”—a special form of SARL, the SELARL was created for self-employed professionals such as physicians and lawyers.
Most of the companies in France are incorporated under the form of a SARL [société à responsabilité limitée].
What are the differences between SARL and SAS?
A SAS is a simplified stock option for joint ventures between French companies and foreign partners. This is a popular choice among U.S. business owners looking to set up subsidiaries in France, but the process is slightly more complicated than for setting up SARL.
- The main difference between the two is how the director gets remunerated. In cases where the shareholder of your business is another company, there is no difference in the director’s remuneration in the SARL type.
- A SARL can be registered without setting up a bank account, but SAS can’t be set up without the payment of share capital. These formalities prolong the process of company registration since it requires the company director to visit the country.
- SAS needs to appoint auditor if the company owns or is owned by another company. If two of the following three thresholds are met, an auditor is also necessary:
- There is a turnover of over €2M
- There are more than 20 employees
- The total of the balance sheet is over €1M
SARL require an auditor when two of the following conditions are met:
- There are more than 50 employees
- The pre-tax turnover is €3.1M
- The total of the balance sheet is over €1.55M
- A SAS may issue warrants, preferred shares, convertible bonds, and other types of financial instruments. A SARL cannot issue any of these.
- A SARL is managed by one or more directors, both of whom have identical powers. A SAS only gives authority to one President who acts on behalf of the company. A SAS may not have two Presidents, however, the Director General may be appointed and granted powers similar to those of the President.
Have any queries about SARL and SAS companies? Contact us today and we’ll help you make the right choice for your company registration France!
Fundamentals Of A Limited Liability Company in France
Corporate Tax in France | VAT in France |
|---|---|
25% | 20% |
Fundamentals of SARL and SAS
| Limited liability company | SARL, SAS |
| Minimum Share capital | 1 EUR |
| Registered office required | Yes |
| Physical office required | No |
| Min. number of Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. number of Directors | 1 |
| Local Director required | No |
| Local secretary required | No |
| Bank signatory must travel | Yes |
| Timescale for company formation | 14 days |
| Timescale for bank account opening | 3 weeks if physical bank |
| Timescale for obtaining VAT number | 7 days |
| Statutory audit requirements | No |
| Shelf companies available | No |
How Can I Set Up My Company In France?
Depending on the choice of a company form, choice of a Bank and how fast you are delivering required information and documents, the process may vary in duration. It can take anywhere between 2 weeks to 4 weeks to finalize the process of company registration France.
Any country national can be director or shareholder of company in France, but if non-EU resident is director, he/she must obtain business visa. We can assist with that if you are setting up a company in France with CompyCo.
If you’re opting for a SARL, we can start the process of setting up a company in France without waiting for the bank’s acceptance. This process is relatively quick and allows you to open the bank account after you have received the company creation certificate. The shareholder must pay the capital after the bank account has been set up.
When choosing a SARL, you can decide between a bank account with a physical or online bank. If you choose the online bank option, everything can be done remotely without the need to travel to France.
In the case of a SAS company, the process may be drawn out a little longer. Payment of the share capital must be done prior to company registration in France. Once the certificate of payment is issued by the bank, we can start the process of registering your company. Another solution is to pay the share capital to our notary who will then transfer it to compnay account once its opened.
… before employing
After the company registration in France is completed, before employing we need to register employees with social security. Registering for social security is a quick, easy process. All you need to do is send a detailed form to the URSSAF to get started. By receiving the DPAE declaration, your employees will be registered to the social security.
Since the SIRET number is needed for the DPAE declaration, the first step is to ensure your due registration processes are complete.
If this sounds complicated, CompyCo can coordinate every step of the process for you through our trusted network of local professionals.
Want to find out more? Take a look at our HR services page to find out how we can help you with employing in France!
The process of Setting Up A Company In France
The duration of company registration in France depends on several factors, including the chosen legal form, selected bank, method of paying the share capital, and how quickly the required information and documents are provided. In general, the process can take between 2 to 4 weeks to complete.
Once the financial aspects of your business are in place, CompyCo will coordinate the process of setting up a company in France through its trusted local professionals. You will be asked to submit three possible company names, which our partners will check for availability with the Commercial Court Registry. Once approved, an application for a Certificate of Uniqueness is submitted.
After all documentation is received and the share capital deposit has been paid (for SAS companies), a memorandum will be prepared for your signature, followed by opening a bank account for the French company.
From there, CompyCo coordinates the registration process with the relevant authorities. The registration certificate is usually issued within 1–2 weeks. Publication of the incorporation in the legal gazette is also arranged.
The final step of company registration is tax registration. The tax authorities will send the VAT number directly to your company’s registered address. The process is finalized once the company is registered and the certificate is issued.
If your company requires specific licenses or needs to employ staff in France, CompyCo can guide you through the additional steps.
The cost of company formation in France depends on factors such as company form, number of shareholders, banking arrangements, residency of shareholders and directors, and business activity. To receive a tailored overview of the process, requirements, and fees for your case, simply complete our online form and you will receive an offer within 24 hours.
How Can You Open Bank Account In France?
Getting your company started in many countries requires a bank account. Opening one for a foreign company can seem complicated, but CompyCo will guide you through the process in cooperation with its trusted network of local professionals. Thanks to our established connections, we can coordinate access to various international and French banking facilities suited to your business needs.
We offer various banking solutions for French companies. Depending on your situation, you can visit the country or opt for a remote bank account opening. Your type of business activity, location, and personal preferences can help you decide which banking solutions are ideal for you.
The minimum share capital required for the incorporation of SARL is 1€, but most physical banks wouldn’t set up an account for you with such a small amount. Instead, many banks prefer receiving a “working capital” deposit of around €4,000. This amount shows the bank that you can cover your operational costs.
If you opt for a high street bank, the process of opening an account can delay your company registration by up to 3 weeks. You can save time by registering a SARL and opening an online bank account after that; this will allow you to set up your company in a total of 2-3 weeks!
For more information about opening a bank account, head over here.
Accounting & Taxation
Some accounting considerations to keep in mind:
- France operates under a 20% VAT rate
- All French tax returns need to be filed by 30th April after the end of the company’s financial year.
- Corporate standard tax rate in France is 25%
Once the process of setting up a company in France has finished, we will offer accountancy services.
How Can You Employ Staff In France?
France has a large, highly-qualified workforce that you can hire for your company. Once your company gets the SIRET number, we’ll be able to register your business as an employer. This includes the registration of:
- Social security
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Occupational medicine
- Supplementary retirement (optional)
If you’re opting for the retirement fund, we will ensure that it’s done by the payroll provider since it’s the first social contribution declaration. With the first social declaration, the registration to the retirement fund is automatic.
Each of the above registrations must be done separately and the process is the same for employers without a fixed business establishment too. The only two that can be done simultaneously are the life and health insurance if they’re registered to the same person.
The social security registration needs to be done first and is recommended to be done 8 days before. Once you provide us the necessary data, the declaration can be made within a few minutes.
Setting up a company in France can be avoided in some cases where the only plan in the country is to employ French residents. We can register your foreign company as an Employer. In this case you will avoid the cost of setting up a company and further company maintenance costs. Your only cost will be to pay taxes, contributions on salary and salary based on French regulations. In case you must register a French company, the process of Employer registration is the same.
If you are looking to incorporate in a EU country with stable financial system, but you are not quite willing to go with Slovenia and its costs, check out how can CompyCo support your business in Slovenia, Netherlands or Malta.
However, if you are choosing between a few countries in Europe and you are not sure where to incorporate, have a look at our tips how to make the right choice, or talk to us today for free.