COREDO > Company Formation in France

Company Formation in France

Why Register a Company in France

France is one of the largest economies in the EU, offering a prestigious international reputation, developed infrastructure, and access to the eurozone market. The country attracts international businesses with its stable legal system, strong industrial and technological base, and favourable environment for investment and business expansion.

Key sectors of the French economy include industry, fintech, IT, aviation, international trade, and services.

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Types of Companies in France

Foreign entrepreneurs can choose from several legal forms to conduct business in France.

SAS (Société par actions simplifiée)

Simplified joint-stock company. The most popular form for foreign investors due to flexible corporate governance. A single shareholder is sufficient to establish a company (in this case — SASU). The minimum share capital is symbolic, starting from EUR 1. Management is carried out by a President (Président), while the articles of association may provide for any management structure. SAS is ideal for startups, technology companies, and international projects.

SARL (Société à responsabilité limitée)

Limited liability company. At least two members are required (maximum — 100). The minimum share capital is EUR 1. Management is carried out by one or more managers (Gérant). SARL provides a more formalised management structure compared to SAS and is optimally suited for small and medium-sized businesses and family enterprises.

SA (Société Anonyme)

Public limited company. Designed for large businesses. A minimum of seven shareholders is required. The minimum share capital is EUR 37,000, of which at least 50% must be deposited into a bank account prior to registration. Management is carried out by a board of directors (Conseil d’administration) with a chairman and a chief executive officer. SA is suitable for companies planning to raise significant investment or pursue a stock exchange listing.

SNC (Société en Nom Collectif)

General partnership. At least two partners are required, who bear unlimited joint liability. There are no specific requirements for share capital. One of the managers must be an EU resident. This form is suited for professional partnerships where partners are personally involved in the company’s activities.

SCA (Société en commandite par actions)

Limited partnership with share capital. Combines general partners with unlimited liability and limited partner-investors. At least two partners are required, with no specific share capital requirements.

Branch of a foreign company (Succursale)

A foreign company may open a branch in France without establishing a separate legal entity. The branch operates on behalf of the parent company and is subject to its corporate rules. This is a convenient option for companies wishing to test the French market without full incorporation.

Registration Procedure

Since 1 January 2023, all formalities for the creation, amendment, and liquidation of companies in France are carried out exclusively through the single digital portal — Guichet Unique, operated by INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle). The platform is available at formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr.

The main registration steps include: preparation of the company’s articles of association (statuts) specifying the company name, registered office, share capital, business activities, and founders’ details; opening a bank account and depositing the share capital with receipt of a deposit certificate; securing a registered office in France (lease agreement, domiciliation, or ownership certificate); publication of a formation notice in an authorised legal gazette (Journal d’Annonces Légales); filing documents through Guichet Unique; and obtaining the SIREN and SIRET numbers, K-Bis extract, and VAT identification number (TVA).

Non-EU residents who wish to manage a company in France are required to obtain a Carte de Commerçant (commercial activity permit) and a residence permit. However, the incorporation itself is available to individuals of any nationality — restrictions apply only to the direct management of the business on French territory. France permits the use of virtual offices (domiciliation) for communication and correspondence, allowing businesses to optimise operational costs. A virtual office may serve as the company’s registered office, provided a domiciliation agreement is concluded with a licensed operator.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for company registration in France:

articles of association (statuts), signed by all founders and drafted in French;

identity documents for founders and directors;

a certificate of share capital deposit in a bank account;

proof of the company’s registered office in France;

a certificate of publication in a legal gazette (JAL);

a declaration of beneficial owners.

Documents issued outside France must be translated into French and, where necessary, legalised with an apostille.

Registration Timeline

The registration of a legal entity in France typically takes from two to four weeks, provided the complete and correctly prepared set of documents is submitted. Upon completion of registration, the company receives the K-Bis extract — the principal document confirming the legal existence of the company — as well as the SIREN and SIRET identification numbers.

Cost of Services

The cost of company formation services in France depends on the chosen legal form, the complexity of the corporate structure, and the scope of additional requirements. To receive a personalised quote, contact our specialists — we will prepare a detailed commercial proposal tailored to your specific situation and business objectives.

Tax System in France

France applies a competitive and structured tax system. The standard corporate income tax rate (Impôt sur les Sociétés, IS) is 25%. Small and medium-sized enterprises with annual turnover not exceeding EUR 10 million benefit from a reduced rate of 15% on the first EUR 42,500 of taxable profit.

The standard value added tax (TVA) rate is 20%. Reduced rates apply to certain categories of goods and services: 10% for construction works, restaurant services, and passenger transport; 5.5% for food products, books, and energy-efficient works; 2.1% for certain categories of press publications and pharmaceuticals.

Companies with turnover exceeding EUR 7.63 million pay an additional social contribution of 3.3% of the corporate tax amount (less a deduction of EUR 763,000). For the largest companies with turnover above EUR 1 billion, a temporary additional surtax may apply. The tax year in France generally coincides with the calendar year, and the annual return is filed electronically. France also maintains an extensive network of double taxation treaties with more than 120 countries, making it an attractive jurisdiction for international holding structures.

Our Experts

The COREDO team has been operating since 2016 and possesses deep expertise in company registration across multiple European jurisdictions.

Nikita Veremeev

Founder & NED of COREDO. Founded the company in 2016 and personally oversees the strategic development of the business across dozens of jurisdictions.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. Has been with COREDO since June 2017, responsible for legal support of corporate projects and company registration.

Basang Ungunov

Lawyer. Has been with COREDO since June 2022, specialising in legal support for the registration and structuring of companies across various jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which type of company is best suited for a foreign investor in France?

For most foreign investors, the optimal form is SAS (Société par actions simplifiée) due to its flexible management structure, absence of requirements for a minimum number of shareholders (a single shareholder is sufficient), and the symbolic minimum capital starting from EUR 1. SAS allows full freedom to define management rules in the articles of association.

Does a non-EU resident need a special permit to do business in France?

Yes, non-EU residents are required to obtain a Carte de Commerçant — a commercial activity permit — as well as a residence permit to directly manage a company. However, the incorporation itself is available to individuals of any nationality.

How long does company registration in France take?

Provided the complete and correctly prepared set of documents is submitted, registration of a legal entity in France takes from two to four weeks. All formalities are carried out online through the Guichet Unique (INPI) platform.

What is the minimum share capital for SARL and SAS?

For both forms — SARL and SAS — the minimum share capital is symbolic, starting from EUR 1. However, in practice, it is recommended to set the capital at a level commensurate with the scale of planned activities to enhance credibility with counterparties and banks.

What is the standard corporate tax rate in France?

The standard corporate income tax rate (Impôt sur les Sociétés) is 25%. Small and medium-sized enterprises with turnover up to EUR 10 million benefit from a reduced rate of 15% on the first EUR 42,500 of profit.

Request a Consultation

COREDO specialists provide full support for the company registration process in France — from drafting the articles of association and opening a bank account to obtaining the K-Bis extract and tax registration. We have been operating since 2016 and help entrepreneurs from dozens of countries to successfully build business structures in Europe and beyond.