Start a Business in France

Draft articles of association (statuts)

Prepare statuts defining governance structure, share capital, business purpose, and registered office address

Publish legal formation notice

Place a mandatory legal notice in a Journal d'Annonces Legales in the department of your registered office

Register company on Guichet Unique

File incorporation documents online at formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr to register with all relevant agencies simultaneously

Obtain KBIS registration certificate

Receive your extrait KBIS from the Commercial Court - this is the official proof of company existence

Deposit share capital at a French bank

Open a blocked capital account (compte de capital) and deposit minimum share capital to receive deposit certificate

Register for TVA (VAT) and social charges

Activate your intra-community VAT number and register with URSSAF for employer social contributions

Open operational bank account

Convert the blocked capital account into an operational business account after receiving KBIS

Apply for JEI status if eligible

If your startup is under 8 years old and spends 15%+ on R&D, apply for Jeune Entreprise Innovante status for tax and social charge exemptions

Register with complementary pension funds

Enroll with AGIRC-ARRCO for mandatory complementary retirement pension for employees

Set up mandatory employee profit-sharing

Establish participation and/or interessement agreements if you have 50+ employees (mandatory) or voluntarily for smaller firms

Apply for Talent Passport visa

Apply at the French consulate for a Talent Passport (company creator) with business plan and proof of EUR 30,000 investment

Register foreign employees with prefecture

File work authorization requests through DREETS for non-EU employees and obtain residence permits