Starting a Company in France as a Foreigner — Step by Step

France attracts with the Eurozone's second-largest economy, strong startup support, and a central location — and it's more open to foreign founders than its bureaucratic reputation suggests: EU citizens form without any special requirements, and non-EU citizens only need a visa if they move to France. This guide walks through all ten steps.

First: what applies to whom?

EU/EEA citizens: full freedom of establishment — form a company and act as director, no visa, no French residence required.

Non-EU citizens without relocating: that works too — shareholders and the gérant can live abroad. Only those who want to live and work in France need a residence permit: typically the Talent Passport (for founders with a viable project) or the long-stay visa entrepreneur/profession libérale.

Steps 1–3: structure, name, articles

1. Choose the legal form:

| Form | Comparable to | Capital | Typical for | |---|---|---|---| | SARL | GmbH/LLC | from €1 | classic SMEs | | SAS | flexible corporation | from €1 | startups, investor setups | | SA | stock corporation | €37,000 | large companies | | EI | sole proprietorship | — | solo self-employed |

The SAS is popular with startups (flexible articles, easy investor onboarding); the SARL is the proven standard.

2. Check and secure the name: verify availability in the INPI database; secure trademark and domain if needed.

3. Draft the articles (statuts): purpose, seat, capital, management, decision rules — with multiple shareholders, this belongs in professional hands.

Steps 4–6: address, account, publication

4. Secure a domiciliation address: every French company needs a registered seat. A business address in Paris fulfills the requirement — with the side benefit of a lower CFE levy than in many other municipalities.

5. Open the capital account and deposit: the share capital must go into a French account and be certified — the most critical stage for non-residents; details and the remote solution in our France bank account guide.

6. Publish the formation notice: mandatory publication in a Journal d'Annonces Légales (in French) — the certificate is needed for registration.

Step 7: Registration

With articles, capital certificate, and publication proof, the filing now runs centrally through the online portal Guichet Unique (INPI). The result: entry in the commercial register (RCS) and your SIRET number — France's equivalent of the company registration number.

Steps 8–10: getting operational

8. Taxes and social security: corporate tax (25%, SME rate of 15% on the first profit bracket), VAT (TVA) depending on thresholds, URSSAF registration as an employer — much is triggered automatically via the central filing, but verify anyway.

9. Accounting: France requires proper bookkeeping (general ledger, inventory book, annual accounts). An expert-comptable isn't mandatory but is the de facto standard.

10. Industry licenses and insurance: regulated professions, gastronomy, and construction need approvals; professional liability insurance (RC Pro) is mandatory in many sectors.

The shortcut for remote founders

Address, account, and publication interlock — and every authority wants French. Clevver bundles the complete process (formation, FR IBAN account, Paris address) and handles it 100% remotely; the company stands in 2–4 weeks. Details in our France formation guide or directly via the contact form.

FAQ

Do I need a visa to own a French company? No. Ownership and management from abroad work without a visa — only living and working in France requires a residence permit.

SARL or SAS — which to pick? Rule of thumb: SARL for classic business with stable shareholders, SAS for investor plans and flexible equity.

How long does the formation take? With complete documents, 2–4 weeks — the account step sets the pace.

Do I need to speak French? The documents run in French (articles, publication, authorities). With a service that has French-speaking partners on the ground, that's not a blocker.