France - Company Structures

Company Structures in France

  • SÀRL - Société à Responsabilité Limitée. Private Limited company is used in France and other French speaking countries for small companies.
  • SAS - Société par Actions Simplifiée. Joint Stock Company is a new company type with an expanding future.
  • SA - Société Anonyme. Public limited Company is for both large even, listed companies and much smaller ones too.
  • EURL - Enterprise Unipersonnelle à Responsabilité Limitée. Sole proprietorship with Limited Liability.
  • SCI - Société Civile Immobiliere is a Partnership.
Company Type Number of partners/shareholders Minimum and/or maximum capital
La Societe responsabilite limitee (SARL) - Private Limited Company Minimum 2 partners. Maximum 50 partners. Minimum €7,500 - 20% released on incorporation and remainder within 5 years.
EURL - Private Limited Company 1 person Minimum €7,500 - 20% released on incorporation and remainder within 5 years.
La Societe Anonyme (SA) - Public Limited Company Minimum 7 shareholders Minimum €37,000 - at least 50% released on incorporation and remainder within 5 years.
La Societe civile par actions simplifiée (SAS ) - joint-stock company simplified 1 person, personal or professional body Minimum €37,000 - at least 50% released on incorporation and remainder within 5 years.