Starting a business in Paris is a rewarding but process-intensive undertaking. France has invested heavily in simplifying its business creation procedures in recent years, culminating in the launch of the Guichet Unique (formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr) as the single mandatory portal for all French business registrations. Despite this progress, the French administrative system rewards thorough preparation and professional support. This step-by-step guide walks you through the complete process.
Step 1: Choose Your Legal Structure
For most entrepreneurs in Paris, the SAS (Societe par Actions Simplifiee) is the optimal choice. It offers:
- No minimum share capital (1 euro is legally sufficient, though 1,000 to 10,000 euros is advisable for credibility)
- Flexible governance through your statuts (articles of association)
- Ability to issue preference shares, warrants (BSA), and other investor instruments
- Easy admission of investors and new shareholders
- Single-shareholder version (SASU) available
For smaller businesses with a defined group of owner-operators, the SARL (up to 100 shareholders, similar to a GmbH) is a simpler alternative. For US founders needing a parallel American entity, Northwest Registered Agent and LegalZoom handle US LLC and corporation formation efficiently alongside your French SAS.
Step 2: Draft Your Statuts (Articles of Association)
The statuts are the constitutional document of your SAS. They define the company’s purpose (objet social), share capital, shareholder rights, management structure, decision-making processes, and rules for shareholder entry and exit. For a simple SASU, standard template statuts are widely available and adequate. For multi-founder SAS structures or any company expecting to raise external capital, custom statuts drafted by a corporate lawyer are strongly advisable. Provisions for founder vesting, dilution protections, tag-along and drag-along rights, and information rights should be negotiated and documented at formation, not retrofitted later.
Step 3: Open a Bank Account and Deposit Share Capital
You must deposit your share capital with a French bank before registration. The bank issues a certificat du depositaire confirming the deposit, which is required for the Guichet Unique registration. Qonto and Shine both offer expedited capital deposit services for SAS formation. Traditional banks (BNP Paribas, Societe Generale) take longer but may be preferable if you anticipate significant credit needs post-formation.
Step 4: Register Through the Guichet Unique
Since January 2023, all French business registrations must go through the Guichet Unique at formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr. This single portal replaced the previous network of Centres de Formalites des Entreprises (CFE). Registration involves: uploading your statuts, identity documents, proof of address, certificat du depositaire, and completing the online registration form. The system automatically notifies the Registre du Commerce et des Societes (RCS), the tax authorities (DGFiP), URSSAF, and other relevant bodies. Processing typically takes three to seven business days. You will receive a Kbis extract confirming registration, your SIREN number (unique company identifier), and your APE code (business activity code).
Step 5: Register with URSSAF
URSSAF registration triggers your social security obligations as a company. If you are a salaried president of your SAS, you will be subject to the general social security regime (regime general). If you are the majority SARL manager (gerant majoritaire), you fall under the TNS (Travailleur Non Salarie) regime. The distinction matters significantly for social charge rates. Seek advice from your expert-comptable on the optimal structure for your situation.
Step 6: Set Up Your Professional Domiciliation
Your SAS needs a registered French address. Options include: your own commercial lease, a domiciliation company (which provides a legal business address for 30 to 150 euros per month), a coworking space with virtual office services, or a business incubator address if you qualify. The address must be a Paris or Ile-de-France address to register with the Paris RCS.
Step 7: Get Your Bank Account, Tools, and Insurance
Post-registration, finalize your full business bank account, set up your accounting software with your expert-comptable, obtain professional liability insurance (Responsabilite Civile Professionnelle), and register for TVA if your projected revenue exceeds the exemption threshold. The DGFiP official portal provides all tax registration guidance. For workspace, see our guide to best coworking spaces in Paris. For funding your launch, explore small business funding in Paris.
Ready to build your business in Paris? Join Hustler’s Library free for tools, templates, and resources to launch and grow your company in France.
For a full overview of doing business in Paris, see our complete guide to doing business in Paris.
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