Global Business Expansion
Establish your business footprint in the heart of Europe. Here is how to set up a company in France as a foreigner, from legal structure to registration. Our premium, end-to-end corporate services ensure a seamless company formation process, fully compliant with French commercial regulations.
01
Legal Structure
SARL, SAS, or Branch
02
Processing Time
2 to 4 Weeks
03
Minimum Capital
From €1 Share Capital
04
Global Access
EU Market Entry
To set up a company in France as a foreigner, you need to meet key regulatory standards. Our legal team guides you through every benchmark.
Provision of valid passports, proof of address, and necessary visas or residency status for non-EU directors.
Selection of a unique company name verified and cleared through the French trademark database (INPI).
A physical corporate address or commercial domiciliation agreement based within France.
Opening a corporate bank account in France or an authorized EU fintech institution to deposit share capital.
A well-defined corporate objective (Objet Social) detailing the legal and commercial activities of the entity.
Deposit of the starting capital (minimum €1 for SAS/SARL, though €1,000+ is highly recommended for corporate credibility).
Our streamlined corporate onboarding methodology ensures total transparency, speed, and absolute legal compliance.
Step One
Consultation to select the optimal legal structure (SAS vs. SARL) and define your corporate bylaws.
Step Two
Drafting the formal Articles of Association (Statuts) and collecting required identity documentation.
Step Three
Depositing your initial share capital into a French corporate bank account to receive the Certificat de Dépôt de Fonds.
Step Four
Submission of the complete incorporation dossier to the French Commercial Court Registry (Greffe) and tax authorities.
Step Five
Issuance of your official Kbis certificate (French company birth certificate) and your unique SIRET/VAT identification numbers.
Preparing these documents early is the simplest way to set up a company in France as a foreigner. Company formalities in France are completed through the official one-stop shop for business formalities (Guichet unique).
A valid passport and a recent proof of address for each director and shareholder
If you will live in France to run the company, a residence permit that allows it, such as the talent card for business creation
The company’s articles of association, setting out its legal form, corporate purpose, share capital and directors
The bank certificate confirming that the share capital has been deposited in the company’s name
A commercial lease or a domiciliation agreement for the company’s address in France
A sworn statement of non-conviction and of parentage from each director, as required for company registration in France
These points cause delays for entrepreneurs who want to set up a company in France as a foreigner. Check each one before you file. A company is not a residence right, so compare your French residence permit options early.
Registering a company in France does not by itself give you the right to live in France. Plan your residence permit alongside the incorporation
Describe the activities you actually plan in the objet social. A purpose that is too narrow or too vague can cause problems later
The company needs a registered office in France, either through a commercial lease or a domiciliation agreement
Bank compliance checks take time. Prepare identity and source-of-funds documents for every shareholder before you open the account
An overview of what to expect during the incorporation lifecycle.
Note
Timelines are standard estimates and depend heavily on prompt documentation delivery and bank compliance review speeds.
Week 1
Bylaws drafting, corporate name verification, and KYC compliance collection.
Weeks 2–3
Setting up the escrow account and securing the official deposit certificate.
Week 4
Filing with the Greffe and receiving your active corporate registration numbers within 5–7 business days of submission.
Speak with our corporate incorporation experts today to clear your queries and set up a company in France as a foreigner with confidence.
Please enter a valid email address.
Free preliminary eligibility assessment · Informal, no commitment · Response within 48 hours
Thank You.