🌐 Looking to relocate employees or teams across borders? ✅ Say hello to new Global Employee Mobility!
 
 

Start your business in France with SARL Company

Let Us Handle the Legal Stuff So You Can Focus on Building Your Dream

🇫🇷 Why should I start the business in France?

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.

Contact Us

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.

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. 
  1. 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.
  2. Insert a notice of incorporation of the SARL in an authorized newspaper: published in a newspaper authorized to receive legal notices.
  3. 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

We are a department 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 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.

Lexidy Legal Tech
4.7
Based on 91 reviews
Ryan Rich
Ryan Rich
12:47 17 Aug 22
Lexidy has helped us so much in both the business and immigration side. We continue to use them for all legal needs and recommend them highly.
Caleb Meyer
Caleb Meyer
16:20 11 Sep 21
One stop shop for all things related to visas in Portugal (and taxes, etc). Great for digital nomads, retiree's or anyone interested in becoming an Portuguese expat. Looking forward to working more with Lexidy.
Ashwin Shirale
Ashwin Shirale
16:26 30 Jul 21
Belissa Cunha at Lexidy Portugal has been very professional, courteous, supportive and responsive in helping me secure a visa. The list of documents recommended was pretty exhaustive and was accepted without issues by the Portuguese consulate. My visa was approved by SEF in 9 business days. Without hesitation, I would recommend Belissa Cunha and Lexidy Portugal for a stress free and smooth visa process.
Konsensus Network
Konsensus Network
15:58 14 Jul 21
I have been using Lexidy for my personal and business needs and so far everything has been better than expected. Highly recommended.
monica Maia
monica Maia
10:29 27 May 21
I have really enjoyed working with Barbara and Ana at Lexidy Law Boutique they have been so professional and exceedingly helpful, they really have giving me such great advise as I started my new venture in opening my own company, I would recommend their services.
Christian Nielsen
Christian Nielsen
19:37 04 May 21
Indeed very helpful and knowledgeable. Barbara was excellent providing support every step of the way.Highly recommended.
William Burrell
William Burrell
10:52 24 Aug 20
A very smoothe and painless experience. We are only a small business however I feel we were treated with respect and timely concideration. Thankyou for making this otherwise daunting task so easy. I look forward to dealing again with you very soon.Many thanksW. Burrell
Lynne Veenstra
Lynne Veenstra
14:37 19 Aug 20
From the very first contact with Carolina we had friendly ,professional service. Our business was concluded in a very speedy manner, I would certainly recommend Carolina, and all the team at Lexidy for their help, and experience with immigration matters. keep up the good work.
js_loader
Eleonore Tavares
External collaborator

Eléonore Tavares de Pinho

Yuliana Colorado
External collaborator

Yuliana Colorado

External collaborator

Eléonore Tavares de Pinho

Born in Senegal to Belgian-Portuguese parents and having lived for several years in various countries, Eléonore quickly became passionate about Immigration legislation. She graduated from the University of la Sorbonne and the University of Florence and obtained a five-year dual degree in Italian and French Law. As an attorney, she chose to work in Immigration Law in order to have real action on the field and help people fulfill their projects.  Deeply convinced that digital technologies can make law and legal services simpler and impact people’s lives in a positive way, Eléonore will always be looking for the most efficient way to meet your needs.

External collaborator

Yuliana Colorado

Born in Colombia and migrated to France very young, her experience led her to studying international private and commercial law and helping international clients, people and companies, implement in France. In cooperation with the Tax department, she advises companies on immigration, employment and mobility matters such as hiring international profiles, outsourcing to foreign companies in France, or deploying teams abroad. Admitted to the Paris and Madrid Bars, Yuliana has developed specific expertise in managing global mobility and professional immigration of her clients in France and Spain, both companies and individuals. Yuliana speaks French, Spanish, English and Italian.

How Can We help you?

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay ahead of the changes that matter to you

icon