Types of companies in France

Hawksford

Hawksford

As one of the leading corporate service providers globally we can help you with company registration in France. Our expert team of multicultural professionals can assist you in setting up your business with our in-house expertise and extensive network of partners.

To help you choose the best type of company entity for your needs, we have created ‘at a glance’ table for France that offers a clear and concise overview of entity formation options. This table provides quick access to essential information on the formation process, requirements, and timelines for different entity types in France, serving as a valuable resource whether you’re considering expanding into new markets or establishing a new business venture.

At a glance statistics

Key Information Simplified joint stock company (SAS) Limited liability company (SARL) Branch Representative office

Frequently used for:

All uses

Trading

Trading

Minimum capitalisation

€ 1

€ 1

€ 0

€ 0

Limited liability

Yes

Yes

No

No

Average lead time

Two months

Two months

Two months

Two months

Taxation

25%

25%

25%

Not applicable
(no commercial activities allowed)

Corporate bank account location

BNP Paribas

Socgen

HSBC

Socgen

Res director/partner/legal rep required?

No

No

No

No

Cost indication €
*Includes Hawksford’s Fee

€13,500

€13,946

€14,790

€15,000

Corporate services

Our comprehensive range of corporate services are designed to meet all your business needs, wherever in the world you operate. They include:

We handle all aspects of the incorporation process, so your entities are up and running as soon as possible. We then look after the fundamentals so that everything is in good standing year after year.

We liaise directly with banks to get accounts open for your entities and handle day-to-day cash management and fund flows going forward.

We provide directors as needed – from individuals to full boards – delivering effective day-to-day management of your entities.

We are licensed to act as company secretary across our international offices and provide all associated services, ensuring best-practice governance and proactive board support for your entities.

We provide expert compliance support to ensure your entities are completely aligned with local and international regulatory and legislative requirements.

Our experts will help deal with the key tax compliance, filing and reporting needs of your entities.

Our highly experienced team will work with you and all associated participants to ensure deals your entities are involved in are closed in a rigorous and compliant manner.

From the simplest trial balance to full-spectrum public accounts and board reporting packages, our teams offer full bookkeeping, financial reporting and annual tax filing capabilities.

Our local experts can assist you with a range of HR requirements, including local recruitment, immigration support, ongoing people management and payroll administration.

Where you need it, we are able to provide dedicated office space with associated facilities and equipment.

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