FRANCE · COMPANY ACQUISITION & SET-UP
A shelf company may be useful when a French legal entity is needed on a short timetable. Before choosing one, compare its history and governance with a new SAS or SARL and check what your customers, bank and regulated activity actually require.
Talk through the French optionsOften chosen where founders want flexible governance or a single-shareholder structure. The articles and decision-making rules need careful drafting for the intended ownership and management.
Consider it when: investor arrangements, governance flexibility or a tailored share structure are central to the plan.
A more codified limited-liability form that can suit a closely held business. Management and share-transfer rules differ from an SAS, so compare the consequences before buying an existing entity.
Consider it when: a smaller owner-managed structure and familiar statutory rules fit your operating model.
French company capital is generally set by the founders; there is no universal commercial “ready-to-trade” package. A €1 legal minimum is not a recommendation for the amount of working capital your business needs.
Planning examples in euros only. They are not a live inventory listing or a binding offer. The final quote will identify the chosen legal form, what is included and which French third-party costs are additional.
€1,100
Illustrative advisory fee · external costs extra
€1,900
Illustrative review fee · purchase price quoted separately
€2,850
Illustrative support fee · notary and filing costs extra
French registration fees, beneficial-owner filings, legal notices, translations, notarial work and professional advice may be charged separately.
The phrase can describe different situations: an entity incorporated earlier but never used, an operating company offered for sale, or simply a provider’s assisted incorporation package. Ask which one is actually being offered. Request the company’s SIREN/SIRET details, current Kbis extract where applicable, articles, accounts and evidence of tax and social-security filings. Verify that the company’s stated history matches the records.
For a share acquisition, the company remains the same legal person while its owners change. That means past obligations may stay with it. Agree the due diligence scope and purchase conditions with qualified French counsel before signing.
Describe your business, ownership, target date and expected French activity.
Choose between a new entity and a verified existing company; select SAS/SARL with advice.
Check records, decision rights, outstanding filings and the precise scope of the sale.
Coordinate signatures and filings, then separately plan bank, tax and sector approvals.
Do not assume so. Ask whether an account exists, whether it is active and whether the bank will accept the new owners. The bank makes its own decision.
An incorporated French entity is identified through registration details. Verify those identifiers and the latest registry extract for the specific company rather than relying on an advert.
That depends on governance, owners, management and future plans. Compare the forms with a French professional before the articles are signed or a company is acquired.
No. They are illustrative planning figures. A written quote should separate advisory work, any acquisition price, taxes and French filing or professional expenses.
Share your intended activity, ownership structure and timing. We can help you frame the right questions before you choose an entity.
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