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Company formation

Company formation in France

Company formation in France usually means an SAS, or an SASU with one shareholder, filed online through the guichet unique after a capital deposit and a legal notice.

Quick answer

Draft the statuts, deposit capital (from €1) and get a bank certificate, publish a legal notice, then file on the guichet unique. You receive a Kbis extract in one to three weeks.

Verified Oct 2026 · Guichet unique (INPI)
Company formationCorporate taxBusiness lawsFree zonesBankingVisas
Registry fee
about €37
Timeline
1-3 weeks
Min. capital
€1
Legal notice
about €150-200

Choosing a structure

The four forms founders choose between.

FormShareholdersBest for
SAS2 or moreStartups and investor-backed companies
SASU1Solo founders wanting an SAS structure
SARL2 to 100Family and traditional businesses
EURL1Solo founders preferring SARL rules
Example

A solo founder planning to raise money usually starts as an SASU, which converts to an SAS automatically when a second shareholder joins.

How it works in practice

Capital deposit

Capital is paid into a blocked account at a bank, notary or online bank, which issues the certificate needed to register.

Legal notice

An announcement in an authorised legal gazette is required before registration and costs a fixed fee.

Registered address

The company needs a French address, either an office, the founder’s home or a domiciliation service.

Editor's note

SAS is the default for good reason: flexible statuts, easy share transfers and investor familiarity. Spend time on the statuts; they replace a lot of what law fixes in a SARL.

Before you start
  • SAS, SASU or SARL chosen
  • Statuts drafted
  • Capital deposited and certificate issued
  • Legal notice published
  • French registered address

What to watch

Beneficial ownersDeclare beneficial owners at registration.
President’s statusSAS presidents are treated like employees for social security.
Name checksCheck INPI trademarks before choosing a name.

Common questions

Can I register without a French address?

No, the company needs a French registered office.

Do I need a notary?

Not for an SAS unless property is contributed.

Can a company be president?

Yes, a legal entity can be president of an SAS.

Local terms

Kbis
Proof of registration.
Annonce légale
Legal notice of incorporation.
Domiciliation
Registered address service.

Primary sources

Guichet unique (INPI)↗entreprendre.service-public.fr↗
Next stepDocument checklistEverything to prepare before you file.CompareCompany formation across all countriesEntity types, timelines and fees side by side.
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