🇫🇷 France · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
Companies in France (commonly a SARL or SAS) are registered through the single online business-formalities portal, which files with the national business register (RNE) and issues a SIREN number. Steps include drafting statutes, depositing capital and publishing a legal notice.
In France, all company-formation formalities are filed online through the Guichet unique operated by INPI, which since 2023 replaced the former CFE network; the company is then entered in the Registre national des entreprises (RNE).
- Common entity types include the SAS/SASU, SARL/EURL, and the simplified micro-entreprise regime for solo founders.
- Registration is completed on the Guichet unique portal, where the statutes, proof of address and director ID are uploaded.
- Share capital for an SAS/SARL is deposited in a blocked bank account before registration; most forms have no statutory minimum.
Official authorities
- Guichet unique (formalités des entreprises)
Official one-stop portal for all company formalities (INPI).
- INPI — Registre national des entreprises
National business register and industrial-property office.
- service-public.fr — Entreprendre
Official guide to starting and running a business.
Frequently asked questions
SARL or SAS?
The SAS offers flexible governance and is popular with startups; the SARL is a more regulated limited company. Both give limited liability.
What is a SIREN number?
SIREN is the unique business identifier issued on registration, used for tax, social and administrative purposes.
Do I need to be in France to register?
Non-residents can own French companies; a French registered office is required, and some steps are easier with local support.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Government of France — Office of the French Prime Minister — government policies, ministers, and key legislation
- France Public Services (Service-Public) — France's unified administrative services — residence permits, taxes, social security, civil records
- French General Tax Directorate (DGFiP) — French income tax, VAT, wealth tax filing; tax residency determination; French tax number (NIF) application