Business Presence in France
For Non-Resident Entrepreneurs

Are you a non-resident looking to start a business in France? The House of Companies can help you establish a presence, providing access to France’s dynamic economy and the EU market of over 500 million consumers. Wondering about the best business structures? The SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée) and SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) are popular options, each offering distinct advantages.

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Our Step-By-Step Process

1. Choose a Business Structure (1-2 weeks)

SARL (Limited Liability Company), SAS (Simplified Joint-Stock Company), SA (Public Limited Company)
Consult with a French lawyer or accountant for personalized advice

Obtain Necessary Visa and Permits (2-3 months)

Apply for a long-stay visa and residence permit
For non-EU nationals: Apply for a “Passport Talent” card
Submit applications to the French embassy or consulate in your home country

Register Your Business (2-4 weeks)

Register with the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE)
Obtain a SIREN (business identification number) and SIRET (establishment number)
Register with the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (RCS)

Tax Registration (1-2 weeks)

Register for VAT with the French tax authorities (if applicable)
Obtain a tax identification number

Social Security Registration (1-2 weeks)

Register with URSSAF (Union de Recouvrement des Cotisations de Sécurité Sociale et d’Allocations Familiales)
Set up contributions for self-employed individuals or employees

Open a French Bank Account (1-2 weeks)

Choose a French bank (e.g., BNP Paribas, Société Générale)
Provide necessary documentation (proof of identity, residence, business registration)

Set Up Accounting and Payroll Systems (Ongoing)

Engage a French accountant for compliance with local accounting standards
Implement payroll software compliant with French regulations

Recommended Tools And Services

Guichet-entreprises.fr:

Online platform for business registration

House of Companies:

Provides comprehensive company information and filing services

Infogreffe.fr:

Access to legal and financial information about companies

Net-entreprises.fr:

Portal for social declarations

By following this guide and utilizing the recommended tools and services, non-resident entrepreneurs can efficiently establish a compliant business presence in France, ensuring a smooth entry into this strategic European market.

Key Requirements For Establishing A
Business Presence In Belgium

As a non-resident entrepreneur looking to establish a business presence in France,
you’ll need to fulfill several key requirements:

1. Authentication Methods

Obtain necessary authentication methods to access French government online services:

1. French eID

2. FranceConnect (a single sign-on solution for various French public services)

3. Tax Registration

Register for French VAT (TVA) with the tax authority (Direction Générale des Finances Publiques - DGFiP):

1. Access the registration process at https://www.impots.gouv.fr/

2. Business Registration

1. Register the parent company in the French Commercial and Companies Register (Registre du commerce et des sociétés - RCS): Visit https://www.infogreffe.fr/ to initiate the process

2. Register the branch office establishment unit(s):

Contact the appropriate regional business formalities center (Centre de Formalités des Entreprises - CFE)

Obtain a unique SIRET number for the branch office

4. Employer Obligations

1. Register as an employer in France:

Use the online services provided by the French social security administration (Urssaf) at https://www.urssaf.fr/

2. Manage employee-related declarations:

File the Déclaration Sociale Nominative (DSN), a unified social declaration for employees

By fulfilling these key requirements, non-resident entrepreneurs can successfully establish and maintain a compliant business presence in France, tapping into one of Europe’s largest markets.

Registering A Branch Office

Key Requirements and Procedures

Obtain Necessary Authentication Method (1-2 weeks)

1. Apply for a French eID or set up FranceConnect
2. Essential for accessing all French government online services

Register Parent Company in RCS (2-4 weeks)

1. Submit required documents to the Commercial Court Registry
2. Obtain a K-bis extract, the official proof of registration

Register Branch Office Establishment Unit(s) with CFE (2-4 weeks)

1. File a declaration of existence (M0 form) with the local Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE)
2. Provide supporting documents, including parent company details

Obtain Unique SIRET Number

1. Automatically assigned upon successful registration
2. Used for all official business interactions in France

Obtaining a French VAT Number

1. Register for French VAT (TVA) with Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) (2-4 weeks)
2. Submit form EE0 for EU companies or form M0 for non-EU companies
3. Provide proof of business activity in France

Becoming an Employer in France

1. Register as an Employer with Urssaf (2-4 weeks)
Complete the Declaration Prior to Hiring (DPAE) for each employee
Set up mandatory workplace insurance
2. File Initial Employee-Related Declarations (DSN)
Submit monthly Déclaration
Sociale Nominative (DSN) reports
Detail employee information and social contributions

Submitting VAT Returns in France

1. Use DGFiP’s online portal for filing
2. Comply with filing deadlines:
Monthly for companies with annual turnover exceeding €4 million
Quarterly for companies below this threshold

These procedures ensure full compliance with French regulations, allowing non-resident entrepreneurs to establish a legitimate business presence in France efficiently and effectively.

Relevant Government Agencies and Websites for
Business in France

Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (RCS)
Website: https://www.infogreffe.fr/
The RCS is the official French Trade and Companies Register. It's essential for:
- Registering your company or branch office
- Obtaining your K-bis extract, the official proof of registration
- Accessing public information about registered companies
  Services: Online company registration, document submission, and business information retrieval.
Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE)
Website: https://www.service-public.fr/professionnels-entreprises/vosdroits/F23586
The CFE serves as a one-stop-shop for business formalities, handling:
- Initial registration of companies and branch offices
- Changes in company status or activities
- Company dissolution procedures
  Services: Centralized processing of administrative declarations, guidance on business formalities.
Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP)
Website: https://www.impots.gouv.fr/
The DGFiP is the French tax authority, responsible for:
- VAT registration and returns
- Corporate tax declarations and payments
- Providing tax-related information and services
  Services: Online tax filing, VAT registration, access to tax regulations and forms.
Union de Recouvrement des Cotisations de Sécurité Sociale et d'Allocations Familiales (Urssaf)
Website: https://www.urssaf.fr/
Urssaf manages social security contributions and provides services for:
- Employer registration
- Social security declarations and payments
- Information on labor laws and social security obligations
  Services: Online declaration system, employer registration, access to social security information and calculators.

These agencies and their respective websites are crucial for non-resident entrepreneurs establishing and maintaining a compliant business presence in France. They offer comprehensive online services, simplifying the process of navigating French bureaucracy and ensuring adherence to local regulations.

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Business Presence in France For Non-Resident Entrepreneurs