Start your business in France with SARL Company
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🇫🇷 Why should I start the business in France?
One of the biggest advantages of starting an SARL company in France is that it offers limited personal liability for the company's debts and obligations. This means that as a foreigner starting a business in France, you won't have to risk your personal finances in case the company runs into financial difficulties.
Creating an SARL company in France is a relatively straightforward process, and the legal structure is flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of businesses. This means that you can tailor your company to fit your specific needs and goals, whether you're running a small family business or a multinational corporation.
France is a part of the European Union (EU) and is strategically located at the heart of Europe. This makes it an excellent base for expanding your business throughout the EU and accessing a market of over 500 million consumers.
Starting a company in France
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Create your SARL company in France and get the peace of mind that comes with limited personal liability. With a flexible legal structure and access to the European market, starting your business in France can be the perfect way to make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality.
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What is a sarl company (french limited liablity company)?
A limited liability company (SARL) is a company made up of a minimum of two and a maximum of 100 partners. The status can be chosen by artisans, merchants, industrialists, and independent professions, but it cannot be used for some legal, judicial or health professions, with the exception of pharmacists.
A company in which each of the partners (between 2 and 100) is in principle only responsible for the debts of the company up to the amount of their personal contributions. No minimum capital.
Why to set up a sarl company?
The SARL is appreciated because it has many advantages:
- The company can be created with little capital: the amount of the share capital is freely fixed by the partners.
- The liability of the partners is limited to the amount of their contribution.
- It allows the family character of the company to be asserted, if necessary.
- It is perceived as a more stable business for partners and customers.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Don’t try to go through the Company Formation process on your own. Seek the help of an experienced corporate lawyer to increase your chances of success and make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Requirements for setting up a SARL in France
Need to have a registered company address in France to open a business:
- To register a business address: The creator needs to open an office, get a warehouse, shop or any physical place that will receive mail and establish a physical presence in the country.
- The creator can still work remotely outside of France, as long as there is a physical address attached to their business.
- The creator needs to have a strong business plan in order to get the company approved:
- There are strong laws against money laundering so in order to have the bank approve the business account they need to have a detailed outline of their business plan and be prepared to answer questions.
- The creator needs to be able to acquire the correct documents and turn them in at the right agencies in order to be approved, a company formation agent is very helpful for this task.
- Publish the business in a reputable newspaper as this is required in France.
Steps on opening a french SARL
- Draft the status company: the SARL status must mention the corporate form (SARL), the duration of the company (maximum 99 years), the corporate name, the registered office, the corporate purpose, the amount of the share capital, the valuation of each contribution, the number and distribution of the shares among the partners, the mention of the deposit of funds corresponding to the cash contributions and the date of the closing of the fiscal year.
- Insert a notice of incorporation of the SARL in an authorized newspaper: published in a newspaper authorized to receive legal notices.
- Register the company in the National Register of Companies (RNE) and the Trade and Companies Register (RCS): you must make the declaration of its creation on the site of the one-stop shop for business formalities.
Differences between SARL, SAS, SA and EURL
SARL | SAS | SA | EURL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Definition | A limited liability company is a company made up of a minimum of two and a maximum of 100 partners. The status can be chosen by artisans, merchants, industrialists, and indepdendent professions, but it cannot be used for the legal, judicial or health professions, with the exception of pharmacists. | In a simplified joint stock company, the founding partners freely determine in the articles of association the share capital and the rules of organization of the company, in particular the appointment and dismissal of the managers and the methods of adoption of the collective decisions: conditions of quorum and majority, right of veto… | The joint-stock company is a company of capital. It brings together shareholders who invest in the company’s capital. The company can be managed by a board of directors with a chairman and CEO or by a supervisory board with a management board. | Company composed of a single partner. It applies the same operating principles as the SARL, simplified by the fact that the shares are held by a single partner. |
Number of partners | Between 2 and 100 partners | At least 2 associates without maximum (natural or legal persons). | A minimum of 2 partners, whose shareholding is based on the capital they have invested in the company. A minimum of 7 shareholders if it is listed in the stock exchange. | Composed of a single partner |
Minimum share capital | Does not require a minimum share capital. (It can be registered with a minimal working capital of one euro). | Does not require a minimum share capital. It is freely determined by the founding partners in the articles of association. It is composed of cash contributions (money) and/or contributions in kind (any asset other than money). | 37 000 € minimum 225 000 € listed shares | Does not require a minimum share capital |
Liability | Liability limited to the amount of their contribution.Thus, if the company goes bankrupt, the shareholder loses at most the money he has invested. | Each partner is responsible for the debts of the company only up to the amount of his personal contribution. | Liability limited to the contribution. Thus, if the company goes bankrupt, the shareholder loses at most the money he has invested. | The single partner is responsible for the debts of the company only up to the amount of his personal contributions. |
Formalities and Registration | Draft the status company. Insert a notice of incorporation of the SARL in an authorized newspaper. Register the company in the RNE and the RCS. | Draft the status company either under private seal or by notarial act. The project leader must declare the creation of his company on the website of the one-stop shop for business formalities. It requires the publication of a legal announcement. Register in the RCS. | Choose the corporate name of your company and check its availability with the INPI. Appoint an auditor. Draw up the status company and register with the RCS. Publish a legal announcement in an authorized newspaper. Register your company with the clerk of the commercial court. Make the declaration of the creation of the company on the one-stop shop for business formalities. Register the company in the RNE and the RCS. | Draft the status company. Open a business bank account in the company’s name. Publish a legal announcement in an authorized newspaper. Submit a creation file to the CFE (Business Formalities Center). |
Frequently Asked Questions
EU Nationals, Switzerland Nationals and Nationals from the European Economic area, graduates from French higher education.
→ a foreign creator can register a SARL in France if he or she does not live in the French territory
→ If the creator wants to reside in France there are different resident permits that allow them to start a business such as the Entrepreneur residence permit or the Talent Entrepreneur residence permit.
The overall process could be completed in about 9 weeks.
Does not require a minimum share capital.
In general, the drafting and review of the status cost between 1200 and 2000 euros depending on the project. The other formalities linked to registration fees cost between 400 and 600 euros.
OUR WORK
Lexidy France formed by qualified legal experts who have been trained in the field of corporate law. We work on these requests every day and it’s our passion. For us, Lexidy France is a way of life and what excites us the most is to be able to deliver the happiness and satisfaction of a successful process. We want to help you achieve your goals and dreams.
Eléonore Tavares de Pinho
Lawyer | Avocate à la Cour
Nour Rachidy
Julio Vero
Hector Valero
Pauline Flaviano
Eva Novoa Andino
Sandra Vannier
Gergana Ilieva
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