France – Societe a Responsabilite Limitee (Sarl) Company Formation
France – Societe a Responsabilite Limitee (Sarl) Company FormationA French Société à Responsabilité Limitée (Sàrl) is equivalent to a Limited Liability Company in the UK or a GmbH in Austria and Germany in that it is a legal entity which is separate and distinct from the individuals who run it. For sole traders and for people in partnerships, the individuals’ personal assets are at risk if there is a claim against the organisation but shareholders in a Sàrl are liable to lose only the value of the share capital to which they subscribe.
Company Name
Company NameFrance is liberal concerning company names Most company names are permissible as long as it is not used by another company in the same industry.
We will check your chosen company name with the Register of the Commercial Courts and the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle. You can conduct a name check now using our free company name check service.
Registered Address
Registered AddressA French Sàrl is required to have a registered address in France where all official correspondence is sent. This is provided as part of our standard incorporation package
Directors
DirectorsA French company only requires one director. Director names are filed on the public register.
Shareholders
ShareholdersA French company only requires one shareholder. A maximum of 50 shareholders is allowed and if there are fewer than 25, no annual general meeting of shareholders is required. All shareholder names are filed on the public register. Corporate Shareholders are permitted
Share Capital
Share CapitalThe minimum fixed share capital of a French Sàrl is rounded up to an amount which is easily divisible, with a minimum paid up capital of 1 EUR. Banks will normally accept a deposit of €3000 for the paid up share capital.
Filing Requirements
Filing RequirementsA Sàrl is required to file an annual return, VAT returns and register of officers and accounts. If there is a corporate shareholder an auditor will need to be appointed.
Timescale
TimescaleThe incorporation of your new company takes one week from the submission of the documents. Please note the company will not be ready for trading until a bank account is established and the share capital paid up.
France Company Formation Fees
France Company Formation FeesWe offer an all inclusive France Company Incorporation Service
| France Sàrl Company Formation 2 weeks Our services include:
| £1840 | |
| Additional Services | ||
|---|---|---|
| Company Administration & Registered Office (required) | £1200 | |
| Assistance with opening a French bank account | £380 | |
| Registration for VAT (required) | £380 | |
| Mail Forwarding Services | £350 | |
| Chamber of Commerce or Artisanat, Court Fees, CFE, legal publicity: | £480 | |
| Directors Register Maintenance | £175 | |
| Annual Renewal Fees | ||
Company Administration
| £1200 | |
| Annual Government Fee (€60) | £55 | |
| Directors Register Maintenance | £175 | |
| Mail Forwarding Service | £350 | |
Your company will be incorporated using your chosen name and we will ensure that the procedure is as simple as possible.
Proof of Identity
Proof of IdentityAs part of our due diligence we require proof of identity in the form of a passport copy for all directors and shareholders of the company.
Travel
TravelA visit to France is required to open and to deposit the share capital into a French bank account as part of the formation process.