France - Company Incorporation

France Company Formation

Main Company Structures in France

  • SA - Société Anonyme - Public Limited Company
  • SÀRL - Société à Responsabilité Limitée - Private Limited Company
  • EURL - Enterprise Unipersonnelle à Responsabilité Limitée - Sole Trader Private Limited Company

Starting a Business in France

Check name for uniqueness with the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI).
Deposit the initial capital.
Publish a notice of incorporation of the company in a journal approved for legal announcements and obtain evidence of publication.
Register the company bylaws with the tax administration
File a request for a company's registration with the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE).
Buy company books -minute books, inventory books, ledgers. Have company books stamped and initialed by the clerk of the commercial court.

Requirements to form a French company

  • Companies purpose - a brief description of the activities of your company
  • Proposed company name
  • SÀRL - one director and one shareholder
  • S.A. - three directors and seven shareholders - we can assist you in finding nominee directors
  • SÀRL - the necessary funds to deposit the capital of the company - at least 1/5 of €7.500 or €1.500
  • SA - the necessary funds to deposit the capital of the company - at least 1/2 of €37.000 or €18.500
  • A certified copy of the passports of the shareholders and officers - must show name, date and place of birth and address of the bearer.

Procedure to form a French company

  • Open a French bank account and deposit start-up capital - Bank then issues a certificate.
  • Publish notice with a legally approved journal - Must state the name, the company administrator (gérant), share capital and registered office.
  • Register the company statutes at the local tax office - Presented to the tax authorities within one month of signing. They keep the original and stamp copies thereof.
  • File the company registration with the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises.
  • Buy company books - minute books, inventory books, ledgers. Have company books stamped and initialled by the clerk of the Commercial Court. The company journal is the main book to be stamped.
  • Inform the post office of the new enterprise - By presenting the receipt given by the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises.