Company formation in France
SAS / SASU
Legal minimum, year 1£505
Legal minimum, per year after£193
Typical year 1£3,175
Corporation tax25%Ease Banking
Every fee
Setting up
Government fee£32
About €37 registrationLegal notice publication£130 to 170
Required
Registered office (domiciliation)£150 to 500
Required
Capital deposit certificate£0 to 100
Required
Lawyer or formation agent£0 to 1,000
Optional
Share capital€1
Time to form1 to 3 weeks
Running it, per year
Accounts filing£43
RequiredAbout €50
Registered office (domiciliation)£150 to 500
Required
Expert-comptable£0 to 3,500
Practically needed
Legal minimum after year 1£193
Audit: Exempt below thresholdsForeign ownersNo resident president requiredOnline via guichet unique, but non-residents usually need a local adviser
Tax25% (15% on first €42,500 for SMEs)Dividend withholding: 25% to companies, 12.8% to individuals (treaty reduced)VAT/GST: 20%
BankingCapital deposit account needed before registration; slow for non-residents
Indirect includes mandatory legal notice publication (about €150 to €200).
SourcesPwC: France corporate tax
Questions
- How much does it cost to set up a company in France?
- The legal minimum for the first year is £505, counting only what the law requires and doing every filing yourself. A typical first year, with an accountant, costs about £3,175. The government fee is £32 (About €37 registration). Share capital is not included.
- How much does it cost per year to run a company in France?
- The legal minimum after the first year is £193 a year. Running costs including optional and practically needed services range from £193 to 4,043. Audit: Exempt below thresholds.
- Do I need a local director in France?
- No. No resident president required.
- Can a non-resident form a company in France remotely?
- Not fully. Online via guichet unique, but non-residents usually need a local adviser.
- What is the corporation tax rate in France?
- 25% (15% on first €42,500 for SMEs). Dividend withholding: 25% to companies, 12.8% to individuals (treaty reduced). VAT/GST: 20%.
- How long does it take to form a company in France?
- 1 to 3 weeks.
Elsewhere in Europe
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