France has all the necessary assets to attract, grow and expand your business, no matter how big or small. The government and the common ecosystem come together to offer your business the best conditions for success.
France’s strategic geographic location and quality transport infrastructure enable businesses to easily reach many geographic regions, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Registration in France is fast and affordable. In fact, a limited liability company in France can be registered within two weeks with only one director and one shareholder, who can be of any nationality. The minimum required paid up share capital is EUR 1.
Although France is mostly known for its amazing culture, sights and resorts, it has also long earned a reputation for having a reliable and stable economic climate.
According to French law, any foreign citizen, whether natural or legal, can open a business in the country.
General info
Although most of France is famous for its amazing culture, sights and resorts, it has also long earned fame as a country with a reliable and stable economic climate, a stable political system and legislative regulations that meet modern requirements.
The indisputable advantage of the country is also its membership in the European Union, the UN and the OSCE. The state is active in foreign policy and is a manufacturer of many brands of various products.
All this every year attracts investment flows to the state, which further strengthen France in its economic stability, therefore the state is very interested in cooperation with foreign entrepreneurs and international organizations and creates favorable conditions for them at all stages of enrollment and doing business on its territory.
Types of company
The amount of taxes and the responsibility of the owner depends on the form of ownership of the organization. The most common of them are:
- SARL. This is a French analogue of an LLC, it provides for the presence of at least two shareholders and a managing director. The amount of the authorized contribution can be from 1 euro. For companies representing small businesses in France of this form, it is possible to deduct income tax instead of the corporate tax.
- EURL – differs from SARL in that one person can act as the owner of the company and the sole shareholder. At the same time, responsibility and commitments will depend on the amount of investment deposits and regulatory documents.
- SA. Society of Shareholders – a form designed for a large enterprise, it is assumed that there are more than 7 shareholders. The smallest authorized amount is 37,000 euros. The organization is governed by a board of directors, which should consist of 3 to 18 directors. Such a firm should have an auditor appointed for regular audits.
- S.A.S. This is a company in which a minimum number of shareholders is allowed. The appointment of an auditor is required only if the company has more than 20 employees and the annual turnover exceeds 1 million euros.
- SNC. This is a general partnership in which all participants are liable with all their property. The enrollment of such a company does not require the contribution of the authorized capital and public reporting in the future.
What documents i need to doing business in France
- Copies of shareholders’ passports;
- A document confirming the home address;
- TNS form;
- Company Form M0;
- Contract for the lease of an office or postal address;
- A document from the bank confirming the deposit of capital;
- company charter;
What legislative demands there are for business in France for sale
Foreign investments in France are, in principle, free from any administrative control. Whatever your development strategy, in France you will find the legal formula that best suits your choice of implantation. You will be able to implement it, temporarily or permanently, with full legal certainty, investors are free to develop their project on simple and inexpensive terms.
Some takeovers in so-called “sensitive” sectors are subject to prior approval by the government minister responsible for the economy. This permission is granted within two months from the moment of receipt of the request by the Minister of Economy. If no response is given, tacit approval may be reviewed.
The transactions under consideration relate to the acquisition of control, the acquisition of all or part of a business line or exceeding the threshold of 33.33% of capital or voting rights.
What business for sale in France should i open
There are several ways to open your business in France:
- create it yourself, step by step performing the main steps;
- find and buy a business in France that will bring good results.
Before you are going to open your own biz, you need to apply for a residence permit. The ideal option would be to issue a merchant card. You can get it for one year, after which you can extend it for 3 years. We will collect the necessary documents and arrange them so that you receive a positive response from the French Consulate.
To answer the question of how to open a business in France for a non-resident, you need to understand the basic steps of its creation, each of which requires legal support:
- choose a unique and relevant company name;
- determine the legal form of activity;
- open your own bank account;
- registers the company in CFE;
- discovery and mass informing of society.
Business-culture in France
For a successful business in France, it is vital to familiarize yourself with some features of the business culture of this country. Let’s highlight the main points:
- During business meetings and contacts with business partners, it is necessary to keep a distance and observe formalities. For example, when addressing a person, especially when meeting someone who holds a managerial position, you must state your first and last name and be sure to use the words Monsieur or Madame.
- Always carry business cards with you, with information in both English and French. A business suit should be the main part of the wardrobe regardless of the day of the week. Outside, you need to look neat, no three-day-old stubble or bright make-up.
- Schedule business meetings in advance and learn the rules of etiquette at the dinner table. Being late for 10-15 minutes is considered the norm. If the meeting takes place at a business partner’s home, it is advisable to send flowers to the hostess in advance, and it is better to exclude wine as a gift. If it is not an expensive elite drink.
Can a non-citizen start a business in France?
Before the practical implementation of the idea of opening a business in France, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the legal norms that allow foreigners to carry out business activities on French territory. Foreigners, who are not from EU countries, can register a company in the country quite freely, but it is far from always possible to obtain a French permit for full business management.
Achieving a French business visa
To move to France for the purpose of business activity for a period of more than 90 days, it is necessary to issue a long-term business visa. The document is drawn up in person at the French Consulate in your country.
Papers for a business visa to France:
- Three completed visa forms.
- Four color photos of the installed sample.
- Copies of civil and foreign passports.
- Certificate of no criminal record in your country.
- A statement about the absence of a criminal record and bankruptcy in your country and the states where the foreigner has lived for the past 10 years.
- Completed administrative document or CERFA form.
- Payment of the consular fee – 99 euros.
- Documents confirming the intention to open or the existence of a valid business in France.
If necessary, employees of the Consulate of France may request additional information. Documents must be translated into French and notarized.
