I
France

France

Company Formation in France

France

Formation Time
1–3 weeks
Min. Capital
€1 (SAS / SARL)
Corporate Tax
25% standard / 15% SME rate
Foreign Ownership
100%

Overview

France is the European Union's second-largest economy and the seventh largest in the world, combining a massive 68-million-consumer domestic market with one of the most generous research and development tax credit systems on Earth. Under the flagship 'La French Tech' ecosystem, Paris has emerged as Europe's leading destination for artificial intelligence, quantum computing, aerospace, and deep-tech innovation. The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) has become the gold-standard corporate vehicle for international entrepreneurs, offering extraordinary statutory freedom, €1 minimum capital, and zero foreign ownership restrictions. French companies benefit from the world's third-largest treaty network with 121 double taxation agreements.

EU's 2nd largest economy
30% CIR R&D cash rebate
SAS contractual freedom
121 double tax treaties
French Tech Visa (4 years)

Why Choose France

1

EU's 2nd largest economy and primary consumer market with world-class industrial and digital infrastructure

2

Crédit d'Impôt Recherche (CIR) — Europe's most generous R&D tax credit, offering a 30% tax rebate on qualifying R&D spend

3

SAS structure provides complete contractual flexibility to design custom voting rights, classes of shares, and board governance

4

121 bilateral double taxation treaties — the 3rd largest treaty network globally

5

€1 minimum statutory share capital requirement for both SAS and SARL companies

6

Reduced 15% corporate tax rate on the first €42,500 of annual profit for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

7

French Tech Visa delivering accelerated 4-year European residency for founders and key tech personnel

Business Entity Types

EntityOwnershipDirectorsCapitalTaxBest For
SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée - Simplified Joint Stock Co)100%1 President (Président)€125% standard CIT (15% on first €42,500 for qualifying SMEs)Tech startups, VC-funded ventures, SaaS, international joint ventures, holding companies
SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée - Private LLC)100%1 managing director (Gérant)€125% standard CIT (15% on first €42,500 for SMEs)Family-owned businesses, small retail operations, local professional practices
Branch of Foreign Company (Succursale)100%1 branch managerNone25% on French-attributable branch profitsInternational corporations expanding direct operational presence into the French market

Step-by-Step Formation Process

1

Drafting of Bylaws (Statuts)

2–3 days

Draft company constitution defining corporate governance and capital distribution.

2

Capital Deposit & Certificate Issuance

3–5 days

Deposit share capital into a blocked account with a French bank or notary to receive the Attestation de Dépôt.

3

Legal Notice Publication (JAL)

1 day

Publish mandatory legal announcement of incorporation in an authorized French legal journal.

4

Guichet Unique (INPI) Electronic Registration

1–2 weeks

Submit application via the French national one-stop portal (Guichet Unique).

5

Kbis Extract Issuance & Bank Account Release

3–5 days

Receive official Extrait Kbis with SIREN number; bank unblocks capital into operational account.

Costs & Fees

Government / License FeeEUR 250+
Our Service FeeUSD 3,500 – 5,200
Annual RenewalUSD 2,500+

Fees are indicative and may vary based on business activity, entity type, and additional approvals required. Contact us for a precise custom quote.

Get Custom Quote

Banking

French traditional banks (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole) provide sophisticated commercial banking but require thorough compliance reviews. French-regulated digital business accounts (Qonto, Shine) offer fast online capital deposit and operational account opening in days.

Account Opening Time
3–7 days (Qonto / Digital); 2–4 weeks (BNP Paribas / Société Générale)
Multi-Currency
Yes — multiple currencies supported

Recommended Banks

Qonto FranceBNP ParibasSociété GénéraleShineCrédit MutuelRevolut Business

Tax Overview

Corporate Tax
25% standard corporate income tax rate; 15% reduced SME rate on the first €42,500 of annual taxable profit for companies with turnover under €10M
Personal Income Tax
0% to 45% progressive income tax (plus exceptional high-income contribution)
VAT / Sales Tax
20% standard TVA rate (reduced rates of 10% and 5.5% for food, transport, and cultural activities)
Capital Gains Tax
Included in standard CIT; 95% exemption under French Participation Exemption (Régime Mère-Fille) on qualifying shareholdings (5%+ held 2+ years)
Withholding Tax
25% standard dividend withholding tax (0% under EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive and qualifying double tax treaties)
Double Tax Treaties
121 countries

Crédit d'Impôt Recherche (CIR) provides a 30% tax credit on qualifying R&D expenses up to €100 million, and 5% thereafter. Startups can receive this as an immediate cash refund.

Visa & Residency

French Tech Visa for Founders (Passeport Talent)

4 years, renewable (leads to French permanent residency)

For innovative tech founders endorsed by a French public partner or incubator

Passeport Talent — Business Creator

Up to 4 years

For entrepreneurs investing at least €30,000 into a viable commercial business in France

Passeport Talent — Employee of Young Innovative Enterprise (JEI)

4 years

For sponsored tech hires at certified innovative French startups

Family visa: AvailableProcessing: 4–8 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) the preferred structure in France?
The SAS is the most popular corporate vehicle for international businesses and tech startups in France because of its unparalleled statutory flexibility. Unlike the rigid rules governing a SARL or SA, shareholders of an SAS have almost complete contractual freedom to design the company's bylaws (statuts)—customizing voting rights, share classes, veto powers, transfer restrictions, and executive committees with minimal statutory constraints.
What is France's Crédit d'Impôt Recherche (CIR) R&D tax credit?
The Crédit d'Impôt Recherche (CIR) is the most generous R&D tax incentive in Europe. It provides a 30% tax credit on all qualifying research and development expenses (including researcher salaries, lab equipment, and patent filings) up to €100 million per year, and 5% thereafter. Qualifying innovative startups can receive the full CIR value as an immediate cash refund from the French government.
Can a foreign national incorporate a French company 100% remotely?
Yes. Through the French national one-stop portal (Guichet Unique / INPI) and by granting a Power of Attorney (PoA) to Incorp International, the entire incorporation process—drafting bylaws, depositing capital, publishing legal notices, and securing the Kbis extract—can be handled remotely without traveling to France.
What is the capital deposit requirement in France and how is it handled?
Both an SAS and SARL can be incorporated with a nominal capital of just €1, though depositing €1,000 to €5,000 is recommended for commercial credibility. The capital must be deposited into a blocked account with a French bank, civil-law notary, or financial institution to receive the Attestation de Dépôt de Fonds. Once the company is officially registered and the Extrait Kbis is issued, the funds are immediately unblocked into the operational account.
What are the corporate tax rates in France?
The standard corporate income tax rate is 25%. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with annual revenue under €10 million benefit from a reduced 15% rate on the first €42,500 of annual taxable profit.
What is a French Extrait Kbis and why is it essential?
The Extrait Kbis is the official commercial birth certificate and legal identity card of a French company, issued by the Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce. It contains the company's unique 9-digit SIREN registration number, corporate name, registered address, activity description, and identity of the managing officers. It is legally required to open bank accounts, sign commercial leases, and execute contracts in France.