By the US GO EU French Team · Last updated July 13, 2026
25%
Standard corporate income tax — reduced to 15% on the first €42,500 of profit for qualifying SMEs with revenue below €10M
€1
Minimum share capital for a SARL or SAS — France requires no meaningful minimum capital, making formation highly accessible
68M
French consumers — the EU's second-largest domestic market, giving a French company immediate access to a major European economy
Why Americans Register Companies in France
France's proposition for international business goes beyond market access. The country hosts the European headquarters of hundreds of multinationals precisely because of the depth and quality of its domestic market, its workforce, and its infrastructure. Paris is the EU's largest financial centre following Brexit, home to major banks, asset managers, and professional services firms that have relocated from London. France's Grand Est and Île-de-France regions are deeply integrated into German and Benelux supply chains, adding Central European reach to a French entity's commercial position.
The French government has actively worked to improve its competitiveness for international businesses over the past decade — reducing corporate tax from 33.3% to 25%, simplifying registration through the Guichet Unique portal (launched January 2023), and investing significantly in its startup ecosystem through initiatives like Station F, which is the world's largest startup campus. For Americans targeting the French market, building a European brand presence, or establishing a Eurozone headquarters with genuine commercial depth, France is a serious option — not just a prestigious address.
Business StructuresWhich Entity Type Is Right for You?
France offers several business structures. For foreign entrepreneurs and American business owners, the SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) has become the most popular choice — valued for its governance flexibility, minimal formalities, and suitability for single-shareholder and multi-shareholder structures alike. The SARL remains widely used, particularly for smaller businesses and those operating with French partners.
Most Flexible★ Recommended for Americans
Simplified Joint-Stock Company
SAS — Société par Actions Simplifiée
The most popular structure for startups, tech companies, and foreign entrepreneurs. Maximum flexibility in governance — shareholders can define their own rules in the articles of association, including custom voting rights and share transfer restrictions. No minimum share capital. Single-shareholder version (SASU) available. Notarization not required for the articles.
SMEs & Joint Ventures
Limited Liability Company
SARL — Société à Responsabilité Limitée
France's traditional limited liability structure — well understood by French banks, partners, and institutions. More structured governance than the SAS, with defined roles for gérant (managing director) and associés (shareholders). A single-shareholder variant (EURL — Entreprise Unipersonnelle à Responsabilité Limitée) is also available. Widely used for SMEs and joint ventures with French partners.
Larger Businesses
Public Limited Company
SA — Société Anonyme
For larger businesses seeking institutional investment or planning a public listing on Euronext Paris. Can issue shares to the public. Requires a minimum share capital of €37,000 and at least seven shareholders. Strict governance requirements including a board of directors (conseil d'administration) or dual-board structure. Not suitable for most initial foreign registrations.
Sole Traders
Sole Proprietorship / Micro-Enterprise
Entreprise Individuelle / Auto-entrepreneur
For individuals operating independently. The auto-entrepreneur (micro-entrepreneur) regime is a simplified version with simplified tax and social contribution calculations. The owner bears unlimited personal liability. Generally requires French residency. Not suitable for most non-resident American founders — the SAS or SARL provides the same simplicity with limited liability protection.
France's Corporate Tax Structure
France has made significant progress in reducing its corporate tax burden — cutting the standard rate from 33.3% to 25% in a phased reform completed in 2022. The current 25% rate is at the EU standard level and is accompanied by structural advantages including an R&D tax credit (Crédit d'Impôt Recherche — CIR), an Innovation Box (IP Box) regime for qualifying IP income, and a participation exemption on qualifying dividends received from subsidiaries. France also has a comprehensive treaty network including an active agreement with the United States.
French Corporate Tax — Key Rates and Incentives
France Tax Framework
25%
Standard corporate income tax — reduced to 15% on the first €42,500 for qualifying SMEs with revenue below €10M
20%
Standard TVA rate — with reduced rates of 10%, 5.5%, and 2.1% for specific categories; two different VAT thresholds apply by activity type
CIR
Crédit d'Impôt Recherche — R&D tax credit of up to 30% of qualifying research expenditure, one of the most generous in the OECD
France has been a Eurozone member since 1999 — the euro is the official currency. The US-France tax treaty is one of the most comprehensive bilateral tax treaties the United States has with any country — providing reduced withholding tax rates on dividends (5% for qualifying corporate shareholders, 15% for individuals), interest, and royalties. France's participation exemption generally exempts 95% of qualifying dividend income received from subsidiaries from French corporate tax. Dividend withholding tax to non-resident shareholders is 30% in general, reduced under the treaty. France also offers an IP Box regime taxing qualifying intellectual property income at 10%.
⚠️ US Tax Obligations Apply to French Company Owners
US citizens and Green Card holders are taxed by the United States on worldwide income regardless of where their business is incorporated. Owning a French SAS or SARL creates US filing obligations — including FBAR reporting for French bank accounts over $10,000, Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) reporting, and GILTI (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income) provisions. At 25%, France's corporate tax rate is well above the GILTI high-tax exclusion threshold of 18.9%, meaning French profits are likely to qualify for the GILTI high-tax exclusion — potentially eliminating the additional US tax layer on undistributed French profits. The comprehensive US-France tax treaty provides additional relief on withholding taxes. Confirm treatment with a US-qualified cross-border tax advisor before incorporating.
How to Register a Company in France
Since January 2023, France has consolidated all company registration through the Guichet Unique — a single online portal at formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr — replacing the previous network of Centres de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE). Registration of an SAS or SARL typically takes 5 to 10 business days once all documents are correctly submitted. All official documents must be in French.
1
Choose Your Business Structure
For most foreign entrepreneurs and Americans, the SAS (or its single-shareholder variant, the SASU) is the recommended choice — offering maximum governance flexibility, no minimum capital, and wide acceptance among French investors and partners. The SARL is suitable if you are forming a joint venture with French partners or operating in a sector where the SARL is conventionally preferred. Confirm the appropriate structure with a French corporate attorney before proceeding, particularly for regulated activities.
Decision
2
Choose and Check Your Company Name
The company name must be unique and must not be identical or confusingly similar to an existing registered company or trademark. Check name and trademark availability through the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI) database at inpi.fr before submitting your registration. The name must include the entity type abbreviation (e.g., "SAS", "SASU", "SARL", "EURL"). Names in foreign languages are permitted, but the company must still comply with French commercial naming requirements.
INPI search first
3
Draft the Articles of Association (Statuts)
Draft the Articles of Association (Statuts) — the founding document outlining the company's name, registered office address, business purpose, share capital, share structure, and governance rules. For an SAS, the articles can be highly customised to reflect specific governance arrangements, voting rights, and shareholder protections. All documents must be in French. While notarization is not required for a SARL or SAS (only for an SA), having the articles drafted by a French attorney is strongly recommended for non-resident founders — errors in French-language articles are a leading cause of registration delays and rejections.
Must be in French
4
Open a Corporate Bank Account and Deposit Share Capital
Open a corporate bank account with a French bank and deposit the chosen share capital (minimum €1 for a SARL or SAS — though a meaningful amount is strongly recommended for banking credibility and operational purposes). The bank will issue an attestation de dépôt de capital (capital deposit certificate) that must be submitted with the registration application. French banks have intensified AML compliance procedures for non-resident company founders — allow time for this step and prepare thorough documentation on ownership structure and business purpose.
Attestation de dépôt required
5
Publish a Legal Notice (Avis de Constitution)
Before submitting the registration application, French law requires publication of an avis de constitution (notice of company formation) in a Journal d'Annonces Légales (JAL) — a legal gazette authorised to publish such notices in the département where the company is registered. This publication announces the formation of the company and its key details to third parties. The JAL will issue a certificate of publication that must accompany the Guichet Unique registration submission. Publication typically costs between €150 and €300 depending on the notice length and publication.
France-specific requirement
6
Submit Registration via the Guichet Unique Portal
Submit the complete registration application through the Guichet Unique portal (formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr) — France's unified business registration portal, launched in January 2023. Submit the signed Articles of Association, bank capital deposit certificate, JAL publication certificate, identification documents of shareholders and directors, and proof of registered office address. The Guichet Unique routes the application to the relevant authorities (Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce, INPI, INSEE, tax authority, social security). Once registered, the company receives a SIREN number — its unique 9-digit identifier — and a SIRET number for each establishment.
5–10 business days
7
Register for TVA with the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP)
VAT registration in France operates through two activity-based thresholds: €85,000 for sales of goods and €37,500 for services. If your expected annual turnover will exceed the relevant threshold, register for TVA (Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée) with the DGFiP. Voluntary registration below the threshold is available. The standard TVA rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 10% (restaurants, transport), 5.5% (food, books, energy), and 2.1% (newspapers, some medicines) applying to specific categories. VAT registration can be initiated simultaneously through the Guichet Unique portal.
Two thresholds — goods vs services
8
Register with Urssaf (if hiring or if directors receive remuneration)
If your company will hire employees — or if the president of an SAS or gérant of a SARL will receive remuneration — register with Urssaf (Union de Recouvrement des Cotisations de Sécurité Sociale et d'Allocations Familiales) for social security contribution management. French employer social contributions are among the highest in the EU — typically 40–45% on top of gross salary — and must be budgeted carefully when planning employment costs. The Guichet Unique routes employer registration to Urssaf as part of the formation process.
High employer contributions
What Does It Cost to Register a Company in France?
France's company formation costs are moderate by EU standards — the absence of a minimum capital requirement for SAS and SARL keeps initial outlay low. The mandatory legal notice publication (JAL) is a France-specific cost not found in most other EU jurisdictions. Ongoing compliance costs — particularly accounting and, where applicable, social contributions — are meaningful.
| Cost Item | Notes | Est. Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce fee | Court registration fee for company formation, processed through the Guichet Unique portal. | €37–€70 |
| Legal notice publication (JAL) | Mandatory avis de constitution published in an authorised legal gazette. France-specific requirement; varies by notice length and département. | €150–€300 |
| Share capital | Minimum €1 for SAS/SARL. A meaningful amount (€1,000–€10,000+) is strongly recommended for banking credibility and operational purposes. | From €1 |
| Registered office address | Every French company requires a registered address (siège social). Domiciliation services and virtual offices are widely available in Paris and other cities. | €500–€1,500/yr |
| Legal & advisory fees | French attorney assistance with Statuts drafting, Guichet Unique submission, and JAL publication. Essential for non-French-speaking non-resident founders. | €800–€2,500 |
| Accounting & annual compliance | Annual accounts, tax returns, and ongoing bookkeeping. French accounting standards and filing requirements are detailed — professional support is essential. | €1,500–€5,000/yr |
Post-Registration Requirements
French companies face comprehensive ongoing compliance obligations. Annual reporting to the Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce is mandatory, accounts are publicly accessible, and France's social contribution system creates significant obligations for companies that employ staff or pay remuneration to directors.
Annual Accounts & Corporate Tax Return
All French companies must prepare annual financial statements in accordance with French accounting standards (Plan Comptable Général — PCG) and file corporate income tax returns with the DGFiP. Annual accounts must be filed with the Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce and are publicly accessible through the INPI. The tax return (liasse fiscale) deadline is typically three months after the close of the financial year.
Corporate Governance — Président (SAS) or Gérant (SARL)
An SAS must have a président (president) — which can be an individual or a legal entity — who represents the company externally. A SARL is managed by a gérant (manager). Both can be non-residents. Changes to the legal representatives must be published in the Journal Officiel and filed with the Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce. French company directors who are remunerated become subject to French social contribution obligations regardless of their country of residence.
Accounting Records
French companies must maintain double-entry accounting records in accordance with the Plan Comptable Général (PCG). A statutory audit (commissaire aux comptes) is required when companies exceed two of the following thresholds for two consecutive years: annual turnover above €8M, total assets above €4M, or more than 50 employees. Smaller companies are generally exempt from mandatory audit.
Beneficial Ownership Register (Registre des Bénéficiaires Effectifs)
France maintains a central beneficial ownership register in line with EU AML directives. All companies must file a Declaration of Beneficial Owners (Déclaration des Bénéficiaires Effectifs) with the Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce within 30 days of formation and update it within 30 days of any change. The information is publicly accessible through the INPI's Registre National des Entreprises (RNE).
What Americans Should Know Before Registering in France
All documents must be in French — engage a French attorney from the outset
France's official language requirement is not a formality — all company documents, including the Articles of Association (Statuts), must be in French to be legally valid and accepted by the Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce. For non-French-speaking American founders, this is a genuine barrier that cannot be worked around by submitting bilingual documents. A French attorney or corporate law firm is not optional — it is a practical necessity for correctly drafting the Statuts, navigating the Guichet Unique submission, handling the JAL publication, and managing any subsequent correspondence with French authorities. Budget for this from the outset.
The mandatory JAL legal notice is a France-specific step with real cost and timing implications
Publishing an avis de constitution in an authorised legal gazette (Journal d'Annonces Légales) before registration is a requirement unique to France in this series — no other country in the series requires it. The notice must appear in a JAL in the specific département where the company's registered office is located, and the publication certificate must be included in the Guichet Unique submission. Plan for 3 to 7 days for the notice to appear and the certificate to be issued, and budget €150 to €300 for the publication. Online JAL publication services have made this step more accessible, but it remains a procedural hurdle that surprises many non-resident founders.
French social contributions for remunerated directors are high — plan before taking a salary
In France, the president of an SAS or gérant of a SARL who receives remuneration becomes subject to French social security contributions — regardless of their country of tax residence. The contribution rates are among the highest in the EU: employer contributions typically add 40–45% on top of gross salary, and employee/director contributions are approximately 22%. For an American founder operating a French company remotely and taking no French salary, this may not apply directly. But if you plan to draw remuneration from the French company, engage both a French social security advisor and a US cross-border tax advisor to understand the full cost and credit implications.
The Guichet Unique (2023) has improved the process — but is still adjusting
France's Guichet Unique portal — launched in January 2023 as the single point of submission for all business registrations — replaced the previous fragmented CFE system and represents a genuine improvement in France's administrative process for company formation. However, the portal has experienced technical issues and inconsistent processing times since its launch, and some professional networks (including chartered accountants and notaries) have reported friction in the transition period. This should normalise over time, but non-resident founders should build a buffer into their registration timeline and work with a French attorney experienced with Guichet Unique submissions.
France's 25% CIT likely qualifies for the GILTI high-tax exclusion — and the US-France treaty is comprehensive
At 25%, France's corporate tax rate is well above the GILTI high-tax exclusion threshold of 18.9%, meaning French company profits are very likely to qualify for the GILTI high-tax exclusion — eliminating the additional US tax layer on undistributed French earnings. France's comprehensive tax treaty with the United States — one of the most detailed bilateral tax agreements the US has with any country — also provides reduced withholding tax rates on dividends (5% for qualifying corporate shareholders, 15% for individuals), interest, and royalties. These are significant structural advantages for American shareholders of French companies. Confirm eligibility and structure with a US cross-border tax advisor.
Registering a French Company Is Right for You If…
- →You want to access France's own 68-million-consumer domestic market — not just the EU single market — and the commercial opportunities of the EU's second-largest economy.
- →You value the SAS structure's exceptional governance flexibility — particularly the ability to customise voting rights, share transfer restrictions, and investor protections that few other EU structures offer.
- →You are targeting sectors where France has genuine global strength — luxury, food and beverage, aerospace, financial services, technology, culture, and professional services.
- →You want to benefit from France's R&D tax credit (CIR), one of the most generous in the OECD, if your business involves qualifying research and development activities.
- →You have taken US cross-border tax advice confirming that France's 25% CIT qualifies for the GILTI high-tax exclusion in your structure, and you understand the social contribution implications of any remuneration drawn from the company.
We work with trusted French corporate attorneys and accountants who specialise in company formation for non-EU nationals. From Statuts drafting in French and JAL publication to Guichet Unique registration, bank account setup, TVA registration, and ongoing compliance — we guide you through every step of France's structured formation process.