We Offer Strategic Legal Services
Close a Company in France
End your French company’s activity safely and in full compliance with French law.
Our lawyers and corporate paralegals handle the entire process—from drafting the shareholders’ resolution to filing the dissolution and liquidation with the Commercial Court Registry—until you receive the official closure certificate (certificat de radiation).
Have Queries ?
What Does It Mean to Close a Company in France?
Closing a French company involves two essential legal stages: dissolution and liquidation. Dissolution marks the formal decision to cease the company’s business activity and appoint a liquidator responsible for managing the closure. Liquidation then follows as the process of settling outstanding debts, selling or realizing assets, and distributing any remaining balance among shareholders. Once all obligations are fulfilled, the company is officially removed from the Registre du commerce et des sociétés (RCS) (French Corporate Registrar). These procedures apply to all types of French legal entities, including SARL, EURL, SAS, SASU, SCI, and others.
Why Close a Company Properly?
A proper legal closure ensures:
Full discharge of the manager’s responsibilities
No exposure to future tax or social security liabilities
Clean record with the Commercial Court and tax authorities
Improper or incomplete dissolution can lead to legal risks, including personal liability of the manager for unpaid debts or omitted filings.
How to Close a Company in France?
At FrenchCo.lawyer, we make company closure smooth, transparent, and legally secure.
Here’s how the process unfolds step by step:
Preparing for Dissolution
We review your company’s current situation—assets, debts, and tax position—to determine the right closure path (voluntary or judicial). Our lawyers then draft the extraordinary shareholders’ resolution deciding to dissolve the company and appoint a liquidator (usually the manager or a shareholder).
Drafting the Legal Documents
We prepare all required legal acts, including: * Dissolution resolution and liquidator’s appointment * Liquidation report (if needed) * Notice for publication in an official legal gazette (journal d’annonces légales) * Registry filing forms (M2/M4) Every document is drafted and verified by a registered French lawyer to ensure full compliance.
Filing the Dissolution
We file the dissolution dossier with the Commercial Court Registry, including all supporting documents and proof of publication. Once approved, the company enters its liquidation period.
Completing the Liquidation
We assist the liquidator in: Selling company assets (if any), Settling all liabilities, Preparing final liquidation accounts and distribution statements, Our team then drafts the closing resolution (clôture de liquidation) for filing with the registry.
Official Deregistration
Once the final liquidation is validated, we complete the deregistration ("radiation ") filing at the Commercial Court Registry. You receive the certificat de radiation (certificate of deregistration), the official proof that your company is legally closed in France.
Why Choose FrenchCo.lawyer?
At FrenchCo.lawyer, your company closure is handled entirely by licensed lawyers and trained corporate paralegals. We combine precision, legal security, and speed—ensuring that your company is properly dissolved and removed from all French registries.
Have Queries ?
What We Need From You to a Close Your French Company?
To carry out the closure efficiently and without delay, we will ask you to provide:
Company Details
Company SIREN / SIRET number
Management Information
Details of the company’s legal representative, including prospective liquidator, and proof of ID. These are necessary for signing dissolution and liquidation filings.
Shareholders’ Information
Identity documents, proof of address, and ownership percentages for each shareholder — required to formalize the dissolution resolution and distribute any liquidation proceeds.
Financial and Accounting Records
Recent balance sheet, accounting records, and supporting documents showing the company’s assets, liabilities, and bank account status to ensure proper settlement and closure.
And Then?
Once these documents are provided, our lawyers manage the entire process: drafting and filing the dissolution and liquidation documents, publishing legal notices, and completing the deregistration until your company is officially struck off the RCS with all final certificates delivered.
Close a Company in France – Simple Process, Clear Budget
Flat legal fee starting from €1499 excl. taxes* (includes full legal drafting, filings, and deregistration follow-up)
Additional costs: Publication in an official legal gazette Court registry filing fees
No hidden extras, no unexpected charges
Our Promise:
100% lawyer-handled process, 100% attorney-client privelege, 100% confidentiality
You benefit from face-to-face meetings with your lawyer and professional liability insurance
Every document is tailored to your company’s specific situation, ensuring full legal accuracy and protection
Have Queries ?
Why Close your French Company With FrenchCo.Lawyer?
We don’t automate your closure — we secure it. Every FrenchCo.Lawyer liquidation is handled personally by a registered French lawyer to ensure your company is dissolved legally, safely, and without surprises.
Complete legal compliance: All filings, resolutions, and notices are prepared and verified by licensed French lawyers.
End-to-end management: From dissolution to deregistration, we handle every administrative and legal step.
Risk-free closure: We ensure no residual liability or incomplete deregistration.
Transparent pricing: Fixed legal fees, clear timeline, no surprises.
Let our legal team take care of your company’s closure while you focus on your next project.
Contact Us
Have Queries ?
Understanding the Closure of a French Company
Can a foreign owner or manager close a French company?
Yes. Foreign individuals or legal entities can decide to dissolve and liquidate a French company (SARL, EURL, SAS, SASU, SCI, etc.). If the manager or liquidator lives abroad, they can still be appointed and filed with the RCS (Registre du commerce et des sociétés). Residence permits are only relevant if they plan to live in France; they are not required to carry out the closure from abroad.
Key point: Whatever the nationality or residence, the dissolution decision, liquidator appointment, publications, and filings must comply with French corporate formalities.
Which companies can be closed with a voluntary (amicable) procedure?
Most solvent entities (SARL/EURL/SAS/SASU/SCI) may use voluntary dissolution–liquidation when:
- The company can pay its debts,
- Shareholders approve the closure, and
- A liquidator is appointed to complete the process.
If the company cannot meet its obligations, insolvency proceedings (safeguard, receivership, or court liquidation) may be required instead of a voluntary closure.
How long does it take and what influences timing?
- Simple cases (no staff, few assets, no disputes): often a few weeks to a few months, driven by publication lead times, registry processing, and tax/social clearances.
Complex cases (assets to sell, multiple contracts, staff terminations, audits): longer, depending on asset disposals, creditor responses, and administrative reviews.
What happens to employees when closing the company?
- Terminate employment contracts with proper procedure (notice, severance where applicable, documents).
- Pay all amounts due (wages, paid leave, indemnities) before closing.
- Declare and close payroll accounts and remit final social contributions.
Tip: Plan HR steps early—employee matters often determine the closure timeline.
What taxes and filings should I expect during closure?
- Corporate taxes: File final corporate tax returns up to the closing date.
- VAT (TVA): File the last VAT return and request cancellation of the VAT number once all operations end.
- CFE (local business tax): Usually due for the year; pro-rata adjustments may apply depending on local rules.
- Registration/Publication fees: JAL publications and registry fees at dissolution and at closing.
Distributions: If a liquidation bonus (boni de liquidation) arises, shareholders may owe taxes on distributions.
Is a liquidator mandatory and what do they do?
Yes. The liquidator (person or legal entity) represents the company during liquidation. They:
- Conduct the inventory, collect receivables, and sell assets,
- Pay creditors and settle contingent liabilities,
- Prepare the liquidation accounts and the closing report,
- Organize shareholder approval, publications, and filings,
- Request radiation at the end.
The liquidator owes fiduciary duties and may be liable in case of mismanagement.
Can the registered office be moved during liquidation?
Yes. If helpful for correspondence or cost reasons, the siège social can be transferred during liquidation (decision + publication + RCS filing). This is optional; many companies keep the same address through closing.
SARL/SAS vs Sole Proprietorship — how do they compare?
Legal personality: Companies (SARL/SAS) are separate legal persons; the sole proprietorship is not.
Liability: Companies limit liability to contributions (banks may still ask guarantees). Sole proprietorship is tied to the individual, despite the newer “professional estate” shield.
Financing & continuity: Companies survive ownership changes; shares can be transferred; easier to attract funding. Sole proprietorship is personal and ends with the entrepreneur (absent transfers).
Tax & social: Companies allow IS vs IR options (depending on form) and choice of officer status; sole proprietorship is always IR and self-employed.
What is the difference between dissolution and liquidation?
- Dissolution: Shareholders formally decide to end the company and appoint a liquidator. From that date, the company stops doing new business (except liquidation operations).
- Liquidation: The liquidator settles debts, realizes assets, closes accounts, distributes any balance to shareholders, and files the final paperwork for deregistration (radiation).
In short: Dissolution = decision to close + liquidator appointed. Liquidation = practical closing work leading to strike-off.
What are the main steps to close a company (voluntary dissolution–liquidation)?
- Dissolution decision
- Extraordinary decision by shareholders (or sole shareholder).
- Appointment of the liquidator (often the manager).
- Publication & filing (dissolution)
- Publish a legal notice in a journal d’annonces légales (JAL).
- File the dissolution with the RCS (Commercial Court Registry).
- Liquidation operations
- Inventory assets and liabilities, collect receivables, sell assets if any.
- Pay creditors, terminate contracts (lease, utilities, services), and settle payroll/employee matters.
- Prepare liquidation accounts.
- Closing decision
- Shareholders approve the final liquidation accounts and the closing of liquidation.
- Publication & filing (closing)
- Publish a second legal notice (closing).
File the closing with the RCS to obtain radiation and the updated Kbis showing strike-off.
What if the company cannot pay all its debts?
If, at any time, the company is unable to meet due liabilities with available assets, the liquidator or manager must declare cessation of payments within 45 days. The court will open an appropriate insolvency proceeding (safeguard/receivership/liquidation). Continuing with a voluntary closure in such a scenario is not allowed.
What documents do I need to prepare?
- Corporate ID: Latest Kbis, bylaws, shareholder list.
- Management/ownership IDs: IDs and addresses of manager(s), liquidator, and (if required) shareholders.
- Financials: Last accounts, list of assets/liabilities, bank statements, receivables/payables ledgers.
- Contracts: Leases, supplier/customer contracts, service agreements, insurance policies.
- HR (if any): Employment contracts, payroll records, terminations.
Tax & social: Last returns, payment schedules, outstanding assessments.
Are there risks if I skip steps or close informally?
Yes. Common risks include:
- Personal liability of the manager/liquidator for mismanagement or unpaid taxes/contributions,
- Refusal of deregistration by the registry for missing documents,
- Late penalties for omitted tax/social filings,
- Future claims if creditors or employees weren’t properly settled.
Proper legal notices, filings, and clearances protect you after closure.
Voluntary closure vs. court-ordered liquidation — what’s the difference?
Aspect | Voluntary Dissolution–Liquidation | Court Liquidation (Insolvency) |
Solvency | Company can pay debts | Company cannot pay debts |
Decision-maker | Shareholders appoint liquidator | Commercial court appoints an officer |
Control | Driven by shareholders/liquidator | Driven by court/insolvency practitioner |
Timing | Flexible, depends on operations | Court calendar + procedural rules |
Outcome | Deregistration after accounts approved | Deregistration after insolvency process |
Close Your French Company
Let our French lawyers & paralegals handle the process for you.
More About Close a French Company
What costs should I budget?
- Legal drafting & coordination (flat lawyer fee)
- Publications (two JAL notices: dissolution + closing)
- Registry fees (dissolution filing + closing filing + filing fees)
- Optional: asset appraisal, translation/notarization of foreign documents, accounting assistance, HR costs.
Will I receive official proof that the company is closed?
Yes. After the closing is filed and accepted, the registry issues radiation (deregistration). You will receive:
- An updated Kbis showing strike-off, and/or
- The certificat de radiation (certificate of deregistration), confirming the company is removed from the RCS.
Keep these documents for banks, insurers, landlords, and any post-closure requests.
Quick View — Closure Checklist
Dissolution
- Shareholder decision & liquidator appointment
- Publish JAL notice
- File with RCS (dissolution)
Liquidation
4) Settle debts, collect receivables, dispose of assets
5) Final accounts & closing decision
6) Publish JAL (closing) + file with RCS
7) Obtain radiation (strike-off)
How long does company closure take?
Once the dissolution decision is signed and documents are filed, the RCS generally processes the dissolution and liquidation within 2 to 6 weeks. Timing depends on the complexity of the company’s accounts, the liquidator’s work, and publication of the legal notice. Our lawyers ensure all filings are drafted and submitted without delay to speed up deregistration.
Can I close my French company remotely?
Yes. You can manage the entire dissolution and liquidation remotely with electronic signatures and secure document exchange. This is particularly useful for foreign shareholders or directors wishing to close their French entity without travelling.
What are the typical costs?
Closing a French company involves registry and gazette fees, typically ranging from €250 to €400, plus professional fees for drafting, filing, and accounting. We provide a transparent, flat-fee quote covering all steps — no hidden extras.
What about accounting and tax compliance?
Before final deregistration, all accounting must be updated and final tax declarations submitted. The liquidator is responsible for filing VAT, corporate tax (IS), and social declarations until the closure date. Our team coordinates with your accountant to ensure full compliance with French tax authorities.
Can transform the company instead?
Yes. If you wish to keep your business but change structure or ownership, we can help you convert the company (for example, from SAS to SARL). Once the company is struck off, a new incorporation will be required.
