Europe
SAS or single-shareholder SASU · capital from €1; formation charges extra · deposit at least 50% of cash capital before registration
Sensitive-sector investments require screening
Non-EU/EEA investors crossing 25% of voting rights, or 10% in a listed French company, face screening when the target has sensitive activities. Acquisitions of control or a business division can also trigger review.
No residency rule · working in France needs a permit
A non-EU national can set up and manage a French company while living abroad without a visa or residence permit. Regularly carrying out the role on French soil requires a suitable residence permit.
Capital from €1 · filing and publication costs are extra
A higher amount may be needed to fund the actual business. The statutory minimum is not a complete setup budget.
25% standard · 15% on eligible first €42,500
The reduced band requires turnover no higher than €10m and fully paid capital meeting the 75% individual-ownership test, including qualifying indirect ownership. Check eligibility before budgeting for the lower rate.
Ecosystem evidence, not proof of demand for your product. Validate customers, competition and economics before investing.
Food technology and processing businesses can assess suitable production, research and commercial partners.
Business France highlights the customer market, skilled workforce and infrastructure. Match the location to your buyers and distribution needs before choosing a site.
This company form allows the shareholders to set governance through its articles. Prepare the registered office, capital deposit and registration documents.
The funds are held in a blocked account and become available after incorporation. Pay the remainder within five years.
After a complete application, Banque de France designates a bank within 24 hours. The designated bank must open the account within three working days after receiving all required documents.
France’s official guide routes individual-enterprise registration through the single business-formalities portal. The applicable filing and supporting documents depend on the chosen legal structure.
A French commercial company such as an SAS or SARL needs an account for depositing its share capital. A bank can refuse the application; the statutory right-to-account procedure provides a separate remedy.
The corporate-officer Talent route requires three months’ prior group service, appointment as legal representative and annual resources of €67,212.60. Apply for the long-stay visa through the French consulate; other residence routes have different conditions.
National observations help frame the market. They do not measure demand for your specific product.
US$3.37tn
USD · 2025
67.2% of GDP
2025
68.7m
people · 2025
0.8%
2025
88.7% of population
2024
Tell us what you sell, where you operate and what you want to achieve.
Information on this page is compiled from official and public sources, linked and dated next to each item. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice, and rules change. Please confirm with the source or a qualified adviser before acting. ExpandUs Global accepts no liability for decisions made using this information.
