In short
Most foreign founders use an SAS/SASU or SARL/EURL — minimum capital €1, no notary. You deposit the capital with a bank or notary (at least 50% for an SAS, 20% for a SARL), publish a legal notice (e.g. SASU €142, SAS €199 before VAT in 2026) and register online through the one-stop shop (registry fees €53.16). A non-resident can own and run the company, but working in France needs the right permit. Corporate tax is 25%, with 15% on the first €42,500 for qualifying SMEs. Dividends to US shareholders are taxed at 15%, 5% or 0% under the treaty. VAT is 20%, with a franchise up to €85,000 (goods) or €37,500 (services).
French company: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Usual company types | SAS/SASU or SARL/EURL; minimum capital €1; no notary needed# Source: Service Public Entreprendre: SAS · Service Public Entreprendre: drafting articles |
|---|---|
| Capital deposit | Deposited with a bank or a notary; at least 50% paid in at formation for an SAS, 20% for a SARL# Source: Service Public Entreprendre: depositing share capital |
| Registration | Online through the one-stop shop (guichet unique); registry fees €53.16 in 2026 plus a legal notice (SASU €142, SAS €199 before VAT)# Source: INPI: one-stop shop for business formalities · Service Public Entreprendre: cost of company formalities · Arrêté of 19 Nov 2025 on legal notice prices |
| Foreign directors | A non-resident can own and run a French company; working in France needs the right permit# Source: Service Public Entreprendre: can a foreigner set up a business in France? |
| Corporate tax | 25%; 15% on the first €42,500 of profit for SMEs (turnover ≤ €10M, capital paid up, 75%+ held by individuals)# Source: Service Public Entreprendre: corporate income tax |
| Dividend withholding | 12.8% for non-resident individuals, 25% for companies; US treaty 15%, 5% (10%+), 0% (80%+ for 12 months, LOB)# Source: BOFiP: withholding tax on dividends — rates · IRS: 2009 protocol to the US–France treaty |
| US tax treaty | Treaty of 1994 with 2009 protocol; saving clause lets the US tax its citizens# Source: IRS: US–France income tax convention · IRS: 2009 protocol to the US–France treaty |
| VAT | 20% (10%, 5.5%, 2.1% reduced); franchise up to €85,000 (goods) / €37,500 (services)# Source: Service Public Entreprendre: VAT franchise thresholds |
| Micro-entrepreneur | Turnover up to €203,100 (goods) / €83,600 (services); social contributions 12.3% to 25.6% of turnover (2026)# Source: Service Public Entreprendre: micro-enterprise tax regime · Service Public Entreprendre: micro-entrepreneur social contributions |
| Audit | Statutory auditor needed above two of: €5M balance sheet, €10M turnover, 50 employees# Source: Bpifrance Création: new statutory auditor thresholds |
| Annual accounts | Approved within 6 months of year-end and filed with the registry# Source: Service Public Entreprendre: filing annual accounts |
| Local business tax (CFE) | Exempt in the year of creation; 50% reduction in year 2# Source: Service Public Entreprendre: CFE local business tax |
| US anti-deferral tax | GILTI renamed NCTI from 2026; France's 25% is above the 18.9% threshold, but small profits taxed at 15% can fall below it# Source: US Code: 26 USC 951A (net CFC tested income) · Service Public Entreprendre: corporate income tax |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
French company law is the same for every foreign founder, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits register a French company exactly as described here. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Living in France | A company does not give you residence. Non-EU founders who want to live in France need a card such as the carte talent (company creation) or the entrepreneur card. |
|---|---|
| Home-country tax | US citizens are taxed on worldwide income and have extra filings (Form 5471, FBAR, NCTI). Other nationals usually aren't taxed this way. |
| Tax treaty with France | France has income tax treaties with the US and many other countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
At a Glance
French Company Formation in Numbers
Why France
Why Americans Register Companies in France
France gives you direct access to a large, wealthy market and the wider EU. Its research tax credit and innovation support attract tech and deep-tech companies, and Paris is a major hub for finance, luxury and startups.
Registration is online through a single one-stop shop (guichet unique) since 2023, and the SAS gives founders a lot of freedom in how they organise the company.
Business Structures
Which Entity Type Is Right for You?
Simplified Joint-Stock Company
SAS / SASU (one shareholder)
The favourite of founders and foreign investors. Capital from €1 (at least 50% paid in at formation), flexible articles, a président who can live abroad. The président is taxed like an employee if paid.
- Min. capital
- €1
- Management
- Président (any residence)
- Liability
- Limited to contributions
Limited Liability Company
SARL / EURL (one partner)
More regulated than the SAS. Capital from €1 (at least 20% paid in). A majority gérant is treated as self-employed for social security.
- Min. capital
- €1
- Management
- Gérant (any residence)
Public Limited Company
SA
For larger companies and listings. Needs at least 2 shareholders (7 if listed) and €37,000 of capital.
- Min. capital
- €37,000
Micro-Entrepreneur
Entreprise individuelle
Simple self-employment with social contributions as a percentage of turnover. Personal assets are protected by law since 2022. Needs residence in France with the right permit.
- Turnover cap
- €203,100 goods / €83,600 services
- Contributions
- 12.3%–25.6% of turnover
Tax Environment
France's Corporate Tax Framework (2026)
French companies pay 25% corporate tax. Small and medium companies pay 15% on the first €42,500 of profit if turnover is under €10 million, the capital is fully paid up and at least 75% is held by individuals.
Under the US–France treaty (with the 2009 protocol), dividends are taxed at 15% in general, 5% for a US company holding at least 10%, and 0% for a company holding 80% or more for 12 months that meets the limitation-on-benefits test. Interest and royalties are generally exempt at source. Under the US–France social security agreement, someone working only in the US stays in US Social Security.
US citizens and Green Card holders are taxed on worldwide income. Owning a French company usually means Form 5471 and an FBAR if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000 in total. From tax years starting in 2026, GILTI has been renamed net CFC tested income (NCTI). France's 25% rate is above the 18.9% high-tax threshold — but a small company taxed partly at 15% can fall below it (roughly under €70,000 of profit). An SAS or SARL can elect to be treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for US tax (Form 8832). The treaty's saving clause lets the US tax its citizens as if the treaty did not exist. Consult a US international tax adviser.
Step-by-Step Process
How to Register a Company in France
All formalities go through the online one-stop shop (guichet unique, run by INPI). No notary is needed unless real estate is contributed. Documents are in French.
Choose your structure Decision
For most foreign founders an SAS/SASU; a SARL/EURL suits smaller or family businesses.
Check the company name ~1 day
Search the national business register and INPI trademarks to avoid conflicts.
Draft the articles (statuts) Documents
Signed by the founders — no notary needed. A French lawyer or accountant usually drafts them.
Deposit the share capital Banking
With a bank or a notary — at least 50% for an SAS, 20% for a SARL. You receive a deposit certificate.
Publish the legal notice Fixed price
Publish an announcement in a legal-notice journal. Prices are fixed per company type — for example SASU €142, SAS €199, EURL €124, SARL €148 before VAT (2026).
Register on the guichet unique Online
File online with the articles, deposit certificate, legal notice and director details, including the beneficial-owner declaration. Registry fees are €53.16 (2026). You receive your SIREN number and Kbis extract.
Tax and social registrations Automatic
The one-stop shop passes your details to the tax office and URSSAF. Register for VAT unless you use the franchise.
Want to run the company from France? A company does not give you residence — see the carte talent (€30,000 investment) and entrepreneur card on our France page.
Costs & Fees
What Does It Cost to Register a Company in France?
| Cost item | Notes | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Registry fees | Registration + beneficial-owner declaration (2026). | €53.16 |
| Legal notice | Fixed price before VAT (2026) — SASU / SAS / EURL / SARL. | €142 / €199 / €124 / €148 |
| Share capital | Legal minimum. | from €1 |
| Local business tax (CFE) | Exempt in the first year; 50% off the base in year 2. | varies by town |
| Lawyer / accountant | Articles, filings and bookkeeping (market estimate). | varies |
Official fees from Service Public Entreprendre and the 2025 legal-notice order. Source: Cost of company formalities · CFE
Ongoing Obligations
Post-Registration Requirements
Annual accounts and tax return
Approve the accounts within 6 months of year-end and file them with the registry; file the corporate tax return with the tax office.
Président or gérant
An SAS is run by a président, a SARL by a gérant — both can live abroad. Changes are published in a legal-notice journal and the BODACC.
Audit
A statutory auditor (commissaire aux comptes) is needed only above two of these — €5 million balance sheet, €10 million turnover, 50 employees.
Beneficial owners
The beneficial-owner declaration is filed with the registration and updated on changes; public access ended in July 2024.
Expert Notes
What Americans Should Know Before Registering in France
Everything is in French
Articles, filings and tax correspondence are in French — work with a French lawyer or accountant from the start.
The legal notice is a fixed cost
The legal-notice price is set by order, not by length — budget €124–€199 plus VAT depending on the company type.
Paying yourself has social costs
A paid SAS président is taxed like an employee, with high contributions; a majority SARL gérant pays self-employed contributions. If you work only in the US, the US–France agreement keeps you in US Social Security.
Watch the US tax side for small profits
The 15% SME rate helps in France, but it can pull a small company below the 18.9% US high-tax threshold. Model it with your US adviser.
Micro-entrepreneur is for residents
The simple micro regime needs residence in France and the right permit — it is not a way to invoice from the US.
A French company is right for you if…
- You want to sell to French and EU customers from a French entity
- You have a French lawyer or accountant to handle French filings
- You have planned how (and where) you will pay yourself
- You have checked the US tax position, including the 15% SME rate
- You understand a company does not give you the right to live in France
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best company type for an American in France?
Usually an SAS or SASU — capital from €1, flexible articles, and a président who can live abroad. A SARL or EURL suits smaller or family businesses.
How much does it cost to register a company in France?
Registry fees of €53.16 (2026) plus a fixed-price legal notice (e.g. €142 for a SASU, €199 for an SAS before VAT), plus professional fees.
What is France's corporate tax rate?
25%, with 15% on the first €42,500 of profit for SMEs with turnover under €10 million, paid-up capital and at least 75% held by individuals.
Do I need a French bank to deposit the capital?
The capital can be deposited with a bank or a notary. In practice, most companies open a French or EU business account.
What are the VAT thresholds in France?
The VAT franchise applies up to €85,000 of sales of goods and €37,500 of services (2026). The planned single €25,000 threshold was abandoned.
France
Everything about moving to France
Company formation · other countries
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