Company Formation in France
Company registration in France is the first step to starting a business in this country.
- One of the most prestigious jurisdiction in the world
- Simple bank account opening
- Nominee shareholders are legal
- Low minimum share capital (1 EUR)
Consulting team dedicated into advising the best suitable jurisdiction for your project.
Former investment banker turned crypto & gambling regulation specialist.
Our packages for your seamless Company Formation in France
Choose a package that you would like to receive more information on.
Consulting team dedicated into advising the best suitable jurisdiction for your project.
+44 20 4577 0974
Former investment banker turned crypto & gambling regulation specialist.
+44 20 4577 0974
Request information on company formation in France: cost, process and requirements.
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Initial consultation
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Company formation (SARL, SAS, EURL)
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Company registered address service in France
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Assistance in opening a bank account
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Assistance in securing an accounting agreement
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Company contact person for 1 year
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Legal assistance for 1 year
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VAT registration
Turnkey company formation, Everything you need to get off the ground. Start now!
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Initial consultation
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Company formation (SARL, SAS, EURL)
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Company registered address service in France
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Assistance in opening a bank account
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Assistance in securing an accounting agreement
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Company contact person for 1 year
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Legal assistance for 1 year
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VAT registration
Full turnkey company formation with local presence and all services included. This is the complete package our clients go for!
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Initial consultation
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Company formation (SARL, SAS, EURL)
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Company registered address service in France
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Assistance in opening a bank account
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Assistance in securing an accounting agreement
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Company contact person for 1 year
-
Legal assistance for 1 year
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VAT registration
Free Zones in France for corporate income tax exemption
France has two types of Free Zone that can be leveraged to operate a tax-exempt business.
Urban Free Zone – Entrepreneurial Territory (ZFU-TE)
France offers 5 years of complete tax exemptions to companies registered in urban free zone-entrepreneurial territory (ZFU-TE).
This beneficial scheme is subject to a few requirements:
- Physical establishment (office) in the free zone;
- 50% (or more) of the staff must live in the free zone;
- 50% (or more) of the generated income must come from the free zone;
- Have a commercial, craft, industrial or liberal activity;
- Have a maximum of 50 employees;
- Turnover is less than 10 million EUR;
- No more than 25% of ownership from companies who do not qualify as a French small or medium business.
LegalBison can assist with the formation of a French company in a free zone and the fulfillment of the substance requirements.
Incorporation in Wallis-and-Futuna: tax-exempt company in France
The French oversea territory of Wallis-and-Futuna is entirely tax-exempt, due to the absence of governmental services on the island.
Incorporation in Wallis-and-Futuna however does levy the same requirements as a regular French company:
- Domestic presence, meaning that the company must have a local director;
- A physical office space in Wallis-and-Futuna;
- At least one employee (advisably: a local accountant);
- Wallis-and-Futuna must be the main place of business of the company.
Hear it from them: first-person client feedback
The team of LegalBison was very helpful and fast in supporting my company’s structural set up. They are undoubtedly top-level experts when it comes to licensing and registrations in the crypto and web3 industry. Highly recommend!
Best company for Crypto Licenses! Kudos to the team for making the incorporation of our company really smooth
We are happy to cooperate with LegalBison for more than 2 years and during this time they definitely secured a reputation of very professional and reliable partner. Great knowledge, competence and good attitude. Keep up the good work!
Very proactive, responsive, and able to provide solutions and advice. The firm is familiar with the new industry of blockchain and cryptocurrency
Quick set-up and straightforward process. It was a smooth process, we are happy to have chosen LegalBison as our Partner for incorporations, globally.
I highly recommend Legal Bison to any entrepreneur or business seeking top-notch services for their company formation. Their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction is truly commendable.
Incorporation Assistance in France - Free Consultation
Receive a consultation about forming a company in France and have one of our legal expert draw a roadmap to structure your project.
New in 2024: LegalBison can assist you with setting up a business in France in a tax-exempt free zone!
Getting started with company registration in France
Find out all the necessary information to make a choice about setting up a company in France. Discover why France is a popular jurisdiction and how it may help your business to reach another level. Additional information on demand, directly with our team of experienced consultants.
- Timeline
- Duration
- Remote incorporation
- Required Information
- VAT
- Documents
How to open a business in France
The registration process of a company in France is very simple. The experts of LegalBison will assist you throughout every step of it:
- Initial consultation and agreement
- Payment of the full invoice
- [IF REMOTELY]: Notarization of POA by client
- Preparation of registration documents
- Document signed at the notary
- Official register validity: immediately
How long does it take to form a company in France?
It takes on average 1 to 2 business weeks to form a limited liability company (SAS or SARL) in France remotely.
Can I form a company in France remotely?
Yes, the process of incorporation in France can be done remotely and without a visit.
- The whole incorporation process can be conducted remotely. No travel necessary. Notarization of documents is necessary;
- A Power of Attorney (POA) from (all) partners/shareholders is needed;
- The POA is sent to you by us based on the services you want;
- You have to certify the POA by a notary and in some cases legalize it by apostille (some countries need full legalization);
- Once you have the POA on your hands, we double-check, and you send us the original form (physical document!) via courier to our address.
France is part of the Hague Convention of the Apostille
Necessary information to begin with company formation in France
- 3 options of your desired name for the company and a company contact email address;
- Names, addresses and emails of all shareholders and board members;
- Short description of your company's activity.
Without VAT number in France
- Company will not be eligible to receive VAT refunds, which means everything bought is 20% more expensive (important: B2B payments between two VAT exempt companies are not more expensive);
- Your company will not have to file monthly tax returns (prerequisite: no one receives a salary), which means low costs.
With VAT number in France
- The company will be eligible to receive VAT refunds, which means you can make use of the reverse-charge mechanism;
- Monthly tax returns have to be filed, even if no transactions occur;
- Registering for a VAT number can be done online.
Required documents to provide to register a company in France
- Passport copies (a scan) of shareholder/s and director/s, also beneficiary owner if applicable;
- A Power of Attorney (in case of a remote company registration);
- Certified company documents (in case at least one of the shareholders is going to be a foreign company).
Alternative to сompany formation in France
Our team has curated the following jurisdictions as being worthy alternatives to a company registered in France.
Company Formation in Austria
from 1.800 €-
Prestigious standing
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Competitive tax rate in EU
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Completely remote
Company Formation in Germany
from 2.410 €-
Top jurisdiction
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Prestigious banking
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100% remote
Company Formation in Poland
from 1.500 €-
0% Tax if undistributed
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A fast growing EU state
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Tech savvy workforce
Company Formation in Lithuania
from 1.290 €-
Very business friendly
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Competitive tax rates
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A growing EU economy
Company Formation in Estonia
from 450 €-
Fast incorporation
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0% tax on undistributed income
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Entirely remote
Crypto License in France
on request-
MiCA compliant
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Allows portfolio management
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High reputation
Things to know before registering your company in France
Taxation of companies in France
France’s business tax rate (impôt sur les sociétés) is 25% on profits.
- A beneficial 15% rate applies on small companies’ first 42,500 EUR of taxable income.
- A single shareholder limited company can chose to be liable on the personal income tax of its director (unless the registered shareholder is a legal person and not an individual)
The personal income tax rate works on a bands system. It starts with 0% under 11,294 EUR (yearly income) and then:
- 11% under 28,797 EUR;
- 30% under 82,341 EUR;
- 41% under 177,106 EUR;
- 45% over 177,106 EUR.
The personal income tax only applies to tax residents of France. Tax residency in France is only available to physical residents of the country.
DTAA signed by France for companies
Many countries have bilateral conventions to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion.
France has signed agreement with the following countries:
Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia-and-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Centrafrican Republic, Chile, China, Cyprus, Colombia, Congo, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Kuweit, Latvia, Liban, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Morrocco, Mauritania, Mayotte, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Polynesia (French), Portugal, Romania, Russia, Qatar, Quebec, Saudi Arabia, Sint Maarten, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, South Africa, South Korea, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad-and-Tobago, Tunisia, Turmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Accounting and audit requirements for a company in France
- Limited liability companies in France are liable to submit yearly financial states and therefore to hold books;
- Audit is compulsory if the company reaches 8 millions EUR of yearly turnover;
- Accounts have to be filed within 7 months of the end of the accounting period.
Economic substance and residency requirements for companies in France
- Any company registered in France has to have a registered address;
- The director also has to be a resident of France;
- Regarding shareholders, there is no need to be a French resident if and only if the shareholder holds a European passport;
- Non-European citizen need to have a residence permit. They don’t have to live in France but need to be legally able to reside in the country;
- Nominee shareholders are allowed but their use is firmly controlled to avoid fraud.
- Corporate Taxes
- Double Tax Treaties in 2024
- Accounting and audit requirements
- Residency requirements for company holders
Taxation of companies in France
France’s business tax rate (impôt sur les sociétés) is 25% on profits.
- A beneficial 15% rate applies on small companies’ first 42,500 EUR of taxable income.
- A single shareholder limited company can chose to be liable on the personal income tax of its director (unless the registered shareholder is a legal person and not an individual)
The personal income tax rate works on a bands system. It starts with 0% under 11,294 EUR (yearly income) and then:
- 11% under 28,797 EUR;
- 30% under 82,341 EUR;
- 41% under 177,106 EUR;
- 45% over 177,106 EUR.
The personal income tax only applies to tax residents of France. Tax residency in France is only available to physical residents of the country.
DTAA signed by France for companies
Many countries have bilateral conventions to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion.
France has signed agreement with the following countries:
Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia-and-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Centrafrican Republic, Chile, China, Cyprus, Colombia, Congo, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Kuweit, Latvia, Liban, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Morrocco, Mauritania, Mayotte, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Polynesia (French), Portugal, Romania, Russia, Qatar, Quebec, Saudi Arabia, Sint Maarten, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, South Africa, South Korea, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad-and-Tobago, Tunisia, Turmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Accounting and audit requirements for a company in France
- Limited liability companies in France are liable to submit yearly financial states and therefore to hold books;
- Audit is compulsory if the company reaches 8 millions EUR of yearly turnover;
- Accounts have to be filed within 7 months of the end of the accounting period.
Economic substance and residency requirements for companies in France
- Any company registered in France has to have a registered address;
- The director also has to be a resident of France;
- Regarding shareholders, there is no need to be a French resident if and only if the shareholder holds a European passport;
- Non-European citizen need to have a residence permit. They don’t have to live in France but need to be legally able to reside in the country;
- Nominee shareholders are allowed but their use is firmly controlled to avoid fraud.
About company registration in France
There are no minimum share capital for a French company. You can start your limited liability company in France with as little as 1 EUR.
Depending on your objective and your business model, another jurisdiction might fit better. The best way to determine if France is the best place for your business, is to get in touch with our experts.
LegalBison can manage all the paperwork and processes on your behalf. Everything can be done remotely. Once you have designed your business project with the assistance of our experts, you will very soon receive the keys of your brand new France company.
Yes. While it’s free of hurdles for European and Swiss citizens, it will necessitate for other citizens to actually have a residence permit in France beforehand. This limitation can technically be circumvented by using a European or French nominee shareholder but we do not advise it, as the company registry may consider it as fraud. Note: LegalBison does not assist with residency permits and visa obtainment.
Contact Us
Request more information about incorporation in France now.
Cost, duration, requirements and options. Everything you need to get started is just one click forward.
Consulting team dedicated into advising the best suitable jurisdiction for your project.
Former investment banker turned crypto & gambling regulation specialist.
