Company Formation in France | SAS & SARL Setup | ASC Consulting
Service Overview
Your Gateway to the French & European Market
France is the second-largest economy in the EU and a strategic entry point for businesses looking to access 450 million European consumers. ASC Consulting Limited provides end-to-end company formation services in France, from legal structure selection and registration to VAT, payroll, and ongoing compliance. Our bilingual (French & English) team handles every administrative step on your behalf.
Whether you are a Hong Kong business expanding to Europe, an Asian entrepreneur, or an international company setting up EU operations, we offer a complete, transparent service from start to finish.
IMPLEMENT
- • Incorporation
• Trademark, Intellectual Property & CopyRights
• Sourcing / QC
• CRM
THINK
DEVELOP
- • Distribution
• Funds raising
• Sell / purchase / stock in Europe
• Digitalize your business
What WE DO
- • French Tax Strategy (IS / TVA)
• EU Market Entry Analysis
• Corporate Structure Advisory
• European Business Development
RUN
- • Administrative services
• Tax Filing
• Temporary CEO / COO
• Recruiting
• System integration
Industry Insights
Why Set Up a Company in France?
EU Single Market access: Operate across 27 EU member states from one legal entity, with free movement of goods, services, and capital.
Strategic European location: World-class logistics infrastructure and central position between North Africa, UK, and Eastern Europe.
R&D tax credit (CIR): France's Crédit Impôt Recherche offers a 30% tax credit on R&D expenses, one of the most generous in the OECD.
130+ double tax treaties: Including with Hong Kong, China, Singapore, UAE, USA, Japan, and Australia.
Highly skilled workforce: 35M+ active workers, strong engineering and tech talent pool.
Types of Companies in France
SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée): The most popular structure for international investors. Flexible governance, minimum capital €1, 100% foreign ownership allowed. Ideal for subsidiaries of foreign companies.
SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée): Limited liability, minimum capital €1. Best for small to medium businesses with 2–100 shareholders.
SA (Société Anonyme): For larger companies planning to raise capital publicly. Minimum capital €37,000.
Branch (Succursale): For foreign companies wanting a French presence without creating a separate legal entity. Faster to set up, but the parent company bears full liability.
EURL / Sole Proprietorship: Simplified structure for individual entrepreneurs or single-shareholder companies.
Key Tax Facts for Companies in France
Corporate Tax (IS): 25% standard rate. Reduced rate of 15% on the first €42,500 of profit for qualifying SMEs.
VAT (TVA): 20% standard rate. Mandatory registration above €36,800/year for services or €91,900/year for goods.
Employer social contributions: Approximately 40–45% of gross salary. Budget accordingly when hiring in France.
No withholding tax on dividends under the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive for qualifying EU shareholders.
Benefits
EU Single Market Access: Establish your European hub and trade freely across 27 EU member states with no customs barriers.
CIR R&D Tax Credit: Benefit from France's Crédit Impôt Recherche, one of the most generous R&D tax incentives in the world, up to 30% of qualifying expenditure.
Competitive Corporate Tax Rate: France's IS (Impôt sur les Sociétés) rate has been reduced to 25%, with SME benefits available for qualifying companies.
Strong Investor Protections: France offers robust intellectual property protections, a predictable legal system, and bilateral tax treaties with over 120 countries.
Skilled Multilingual Workforce: Access Europe's second-largest talent pool, with strong engineering, finance, and tech sectors concentrated in Paris and major regional cities.
Process
Our France Setup Process
Step 1, Initial Consultation & Structure Selection
We assess your business model, ownership structure, and objectives to recommend the optimal French legal entity, SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée), SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée), SA, or a branch/liaison office.
Step 2, Document Preparation & Apostille
We prepare and review all incorporation documents, coordinate notarisation and apostille of foreign documents, and draft the company statutes (statuts) in accordance with French law.
Step 3, INPI Registration & Kbis Issuance
We file your incorporation with the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI) via the Guichet Unique portal and obtain your Kbis extract, the official proof of legal existence in France.
Step 4, Tax & Social Registration
We register your entity with the French tax authorities (Direction des Impôts) for IS, TVA, and CFE, and handle URSSAF registration for social contributions on behalf of employees.
Step 5, Bank Account & Ongoing Compliance
We assist with business bank account opening, set up your payroll and bookkeeping processes, and provide ongoing monthly accounting, VAT filing, and annual statutory reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to incorporate a company in France?
Incorporation via the Guichet Unique typically takes 5–10 business days once all documents are submitted. Delays may occur if foreign documents require apostille or certified translation.
What is the minimum share capital for a SAS or SARL in France?
Both SAS and SARL can be incorporated with a minimum share capital of €1, though we recommend a higher amount (€1,000–€10,000) for credibility with French banks and suppliers.
Do I need a local director or registered address in France?
A physical registered address in France (siège social) is mandatory. A local director is not legally required for a SAS, but having a local representative greatly facilitates dealings with banks, tax authorities, and clients.
Is VAT registration mandatory from day one?
If your company makes taxable supplies in France or imports goods, TVA registration is required. For intra-EU transactions, an EU VAT number (numéro TVA intracommunautaire) is issued automatically upon IS registration.
Can ASC handle both French and English communications with authorities?
Yes. Our bilingual French-English team manages all correspondence with INPI, tax authorities, URSSAF, and other French bodies on your behalf, providing you with translated summaries of all key communications.
Getting Started
Begin your journey of company formation in France with us. We provide comprehensive support, from initial consultation to ensuring compliance with all French business regulations.
Our Main Places of Activity
France is one of Europe’s most dynamic business destinations, offering access to the EU single market, a highly skilled workforce, and a robust legal framework for foreign investors. Whether you are establishing a SAS, SARL, or a branch office, navigating French corporate law, tax obligations, and administrative procedures requires expert guidance.
ASC Consulting provides end-to-end support for companies expanding into France, from company incorporation and legal structuring to ongoing tax compliance, payroll management, and annual reporting. Our bilingual team ensures seamless communication with French authorities (INPI, URSSAF, Impôts) so your business launches efficiently and remains fully compliant.
Explore our company formation services in other key markets: Germany · Italy · Hong Kong · Singapore · UAE
Our Group
We are a privately owned Group that prioritizes the service to its clients, and values personal approaches as well. We have been founded by qualified professionals from legal/fiscal sectors with more than 25 years cross-border experience gained in Europe & Asia - giving them perfect understanding for tax environment where client operates both at home base country or when investing abroad.
