Incorporate a Startup in FranceSociété par Actions Simplifiée (SAS)
JEI status, generous BPI grants, and the French Tech ecosystem powering Mistral, Doctolib, and beyond.
Key incorporation facts for France
10-step launch checklist
From pre-launch name reservation through first annual filing.
- 01Choose company name and check INPI trademark databasePre-Launch
- 02Draft statuts (articles) and pacte d’associésIncorporation
- 03Deposit share capital at French bankBanking
- 04File formation via Guichet Unique INPIIncorporation
- 05Publish notice in legal journal (annonce légale)Incorporation
- 06Receive K-bis (certificate of registration)Incorporation
- 07Register for TVA + SIRET activationTax
- 08Apply for JEI status (if eligible)Tax
- 09Register with URSSAF before hiringOperations
- 10File annual accounts with INPICompliance
Legal & Incorporation
SAS formation via the Guichet Unique INPI - now the single entry point for all French business formalities.
Guichet Unique INPI
PORTALMandatory single portal for all company formation, modification, and cessation in France since 2023.
Statuts SAS (Articles)
DOCXHighly flexible articles for a Société par Actions Simplifiée - the preferred startup structure.
Pacte d’Associés (Shareholders Agreement)
DOCXFounder agreement covering vesting, transfer restrictions, and good/bad leaver - critical for any SAS raise.
Dépôt de capital (Capital Deposit)
PORTALDeposit share capital at a French bank / notary before incorporation can complete.
Tax & Banking
CIT, TVA, JEI status, and the legendary CIR research tax credit.
JEI Status (Jeune Entreprise Innovante)
PORTALUp to 8 years of social contribution exemptions + reduced CIT for innovative startups under 8 years old.
CIR (Crédit Impôt Recherche)
PORTAL30% refundable tax credit on R&D spend - one of the most generous in the world.
TVA Registration
PORTALFrench VAT registration - mandatory above relevant thresholds (€85.8k goods, €37.5k services).
URSSAF Employer Registration
PORTALSocial charge agency registration - required before hiring any French employee.
Qonto / Shine Business Banking
PORTALFrench fintech business accounts opened in hours instead of weeks.
Regulatory & Licenses
GDPR/CNIL, ACPR fintech licensing, French labor code.
CNIL GDPR Guide
PORTALOfficial French data protection authority guidance - notoriously strict on B2C apps.
ACPR Fintech Licensing
PORTALBanque de France licensing pathway for PSD2, e-money, and PSAN (crypto) operators.
Code du Travail Employment Pack
PORTALCDI / CDD contract templates and mandatory workplace notices.
Local Infrastructure
BPI funding, Station F, and French Tech accelerators.
BPI France Funding
PORTALState investment bank - grants, loans, and equity for French startups at every stage.
Station F (Paris)
PORTALWorld's largest startup campus - 1,000+ startups, 30+ programs.
French Tech Tickets / Visa
PORTALFast-track visa scheme for non-EU founders and employees of French startups.
Stripe France / Lemonway
PORTALCard acquiring + SEPA Direct Debit with local French methods.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to incorporate in France?
- Setup typically costs €400 - €1,500, with a 25% (15% reduced for SMEs) corporate tax rate.
- How long does it take to incorporate in France?
- Incorporation usually completes in 1 - 3 weeks.
- Can I incorporate remotely in France?
- France typically requires some in-person steps or a local agent.
- What annual compliance applies to a Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS)?
- INPI annual filing + CIT + monthly TVA + URSSAF
Ready to incorporate?
Open the interactive launch blueprint for France: track your progress, compare with other jurisdictions, ask the AI Launch Copilot, and download a personalised PDF plan.
Open Interactive Blueprint