Incorporating a company in France does not have to be a lengthy or complicated process. With the right legal team managing every step — bylaws drafting, capital deposit, authority filings, and Kbis delivery — your French company can be fully registered and operational within five business days. Our registered lawyers handle the entire process on your behalf, regardless of where in the world you are based.
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Establishing a legal entity in France is the foundation of every business operation in the country. The structure you choose determines how your company is taxed, how it is governed, how liability is allocated, and how it is perceived by banks, investors, and commercial counterparties. Our registered lawyers advise on the right structure for your specific situation and execute the entire incorporation process — from the first document to the final Kbis.
France offers a range of legal entity types — SARL, SAS, SASU, EURL, SCI, Holding Company, Branch, Subsidiary, and Representation Bureau. Each carries distinct legal, tax, and governance implications. Our lawyers identify the most appropriate structure for your objectives before a single document is drafted.
We draft your articles of association, prepare every required document, manage your capital deposit, publish your legal notice, and file your complete dossier with the relevant French authorities — all within a coordinated five-day timeline.
Your Kbis is the official proof of your company's legal existence in France. We deliver it to you as soon as it is issued — along with your SIRET number, your corporate registers, and everything your company needs to begin operating immediately.
We incorporate every recognised French company structure. Below is a concise overview of each entity type and the business profile it is best suited to.
France’s most widely used company structure for small and medium-sized businesses. Offers limited liability for all shareholders, a structured governance framework, and broad compatibility with French banking and commercial requirements. Suitable for two or more shareholders.
The single-shareholder variant of the SARL. Provides full limited liability protection for solo entrepreneurs operating in France. Can be converted to a SARL upon the admission of additional shareholders.
The most flexible French company structure available. Governance rules are largely determined by the shareholders themselves through the articles of association, making it the preferred choice for investors, startups, and businesses anticipating complex share structures.
The single-shareholder version of the SAS. Offers maximum governance flexibility with full limited liability protection. Widely used by independent professionals, consultants, and sole founders requiring a scalable legal structure.
A civil company specifically designed for the holding, management, and transmission of real estate assets in France. Widely used for estate planning, property investment, and inter-generational asset structuring.
Company formation in France is a legal process. Every document we produce is drafted by a qualified Paris Bar lawyer, filed with the appropriate authority, and backed by full professional indemnity. This is the standard your business deserves from the moment it is established.
| Capability | frenchco.lawyer | Generic Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated by the Paris Bar | ✓ | ✕ |
| Bylaws drafted by a qualified French lawyer | ✓ | Automated template |
| Company incorporated in 5 business days | ✓ | Variable |
| Attorney-client privilege on all exchanges | ✓ | ✕ |
| Full authority filing included | ✓ | Partial |
| Post-incorporation compliance support | ✓ | ✕ |
| Tax and accounting services available | ✓ | ✕ |
| Single point of contact throughout | ✓ | ✕ |
In the majority of cases, your company is incorporated and your Kbis delivered within five business days of receiving your signed documents and capital deposit.
We assess your business objectives, ownership structure, and tax position to identify the most appropriate French entity type. You receive a clear recommendation with full reasoning — at no charge and with no commitment.
We draft your articles of association and every required formation document. These are issued to you electronically for review and signature. We manage the capital deposit process and coordinate with the relevant banking institution on your behalf.
We publish your legal notice in an authorised journal, compile your complete formation dossier, and file it directly with the Greffe du Tribunal de commerce. All correspondence with French authorities is handled by our lawyers.
Your Kbis and SIRET number are delivered to you as soon as they are issued. Your company is fully registered, legally operational, and ready to open bank accounts, sign contracts, and begin trading in France.
Your incorporation fee is agreed in full before we begin. There are no hourly charges and no hidden additions. Third-party disbursements — greffe fees and legal notice publication costs — are invoiced at cost, transparently and line by line.
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Speak to a Paris Bar lawyer before committing to anything.
No. The entire incorporation process is managed remotely. All documents are exchanged electronically, signings are handled digitally where permitted by French law, and all filings with French authorities are made directly by our lawyers. You are not required to travel to France at any stage.
For a SARL or EURL, the minimum share capital is €1, though we advise on a capital level appropriate to your business activity and banking requirements. For a SAS or SASU, there is equally no regulatory minimum, though the same practical considerations apply. Our lawyers advise on the appropriate capital for your specific situation during the initial consultation.
The most suitable structure depends on your ownership profile, the number of shareholders, your planned activity, and your tax position. SAS and SASU structures are frequently preferred by foreign investors for their governance flexibility. Our lawyers assess your specific circumstances and provide a clear recommendation before any documents are drafted.
Yes. We coordinate your capital deposit account as part of the incorporation process and can assist with opening your operational French business account following incorporation. Bank account opening is available as part of our business logistics services.
The Kbis is the official extract from the French commercial register (Registre du commerce et des sociétés) that serves as your company’s legal identity document in France. It is required by banks, public authorities, commercial counterparties, and any party with whom your company enters into a formal relationship. We deliver it to you as soon as it is issued following incorporation.
Yes. We offer VAT registration, accounting, payroll, and tax representation services as part of our broader practice. Many clients engage us for the full scope — incorporation, VAT registration, and ongoing accounting — under a single unified mandate, giving them one legal and financial contact for all their French obligations.
We conduct a name availability check with the INPI at the outset of the process. If your preferred name is unavailable, we advise on alternatives before any documents are drafted, ensuring no time is lost in the formation process.
These are the most common errors we are engaged to resolve following an incorporation handled without proper legal counsel.
Incorporating as a SARL when a SAS would better serve your governance and investment requirements — or vice versa — results in a structural transformation that is both time-consuming and costly. The right choice is made once, at the outset, with proper legal advice.
Articles drafted from a generic template without legal review frequently fail to reflect the actual intentions of the shareholders regarding governance, profit distribution, share transfers, and decision-making thresholds. Gaps in the bylaws become disputes between shareholders.
Incorporating with a nominal capital of €1 without considering the banking implications often results in difficulty opening a business account. French banks assess the capitalisation of a company as part of their onboarding review. We advise on an appropriate capital level before incorporation.
Publication of a legal notice in an authorised journal (journal d'annonces légales) is a mandatory step in the French incorporation process. Failure to publish, or publication in an unauthorised outlet, renders the dossier incomplete and delays registration.
Every French company must have a valid registered address at the time of incorporation. Submitting an address without the required supporting documentation — lease, domiciliation contract, or owner's authorisation — results in the rejection of the formation dossier by the greffe.
Many businesses incorporate successfully and then allow their statutory obligations to accumulate unmanaged. From the date of registration, your company carries an annual compliance calendar. Engaging our compliance service at incorporation ensures your company is properly managed from day one.
I was initially worried about the legal complexities of setting up a business in France, but the team at FrenchCo was exceptional. Their professional and approachable experts made the process straightforward and fast. From start to finish, we were well taken care of, and our company was officially registered in five days. Highly recommend their services for anyone looking to start a business in France!
Starting a business in a foreign country seemed daunting, but the team at FrenchCo made the entire process seamless. Their registered lawyers and accountants guided us every step of the way, from the paperwork to the final company registration. Thanks to their expert advice, we had our company set up in just five days. We couldn’t have asked for a smoother experience!
Book your free initial consultation with one of our registered Paris Bar lawyers. We will assess your situation, recommend the right structure, and provide a clear fixed-fee proposal — with no commitment required.
