France is mostly known for its tourist attractions, of course. But do you know another reason France is renowned for? The quality of the goods and services you can get there. And this is one of the best reasons to consider starting a business in this country, no matter if you are an EU or non-EU citizen: France has room for everyone, for every idea. So, let’s see how you can put it into practice by registering your own enterprise.
The steps you need to follow to start a business in France
Yes, if you want to set up a company in France, you need to follow a few steps. Some of them are easy, while others may be a bit more difficult, especially if you don’t speak French, but this is why professional solutions exist, so use them.
Back to the steps, here they are:
- choose a legal form;
- check and reserve the trading name;
- open a bank account and deposit the share capital;
- draft the incorporation papers;
- publish the opening of the company in the Official Gazette;
- submit the incorporation documents to the Trade Register.
Now, let’s go through each step and a few additional formalities.
French legal forms
While there are several types of entities you can choose from, the private limited liability is by far the most common, as it is also the simplest to register. However, you can also operate as a sole trader, start a partnership, or even launch a public company.
Trading name check and reservation
This procedure is completed with the National Institute of Intellectual Property. Also, if you plan to link your company to a website, you can perform a domain name check at the same time.
Bank account opening
The next step is to open a bank account and deposit the capital of the company. At this stage, you should also get a bank statement confirming the deposit.
Prepare the registration forms
To register a company in France, you must prepare:
- the bylaws;
- the bank deposit certificate;
- the registered address proof;
- a declaration of non-conviction for the director;
- your ID or passport.
Publishing and registration
Following the preparation of the documents, the procedure becomes simpler, as you need to advertise the opening of your company in the Official Gazette and then submit the application file to the Trade Register. You can do that in person or online, including through a representative to ensure a smooth incorporation procedure.
After that, you will receive the Registration Certificate.
Identification codes
In France, companies will be issued several identifiers, as follows:
- the SIREN number, which is the identification number used for contracts, invoices, and tax returns;
- the SIRET number, which is an identifier used for a location of a company and payroll returns;
- the NAF code, which is the company’s activity identifier.
After registering the business, you must also register for professional insurance, depending on the sector of activity.
To conclude, this guide can help you start the procedure to open your own company in France; however, it is just as important to learn more about the legal forms and requirements for each of them to make an informed decision, information which is often available from professionals.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. AFP editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
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