Business · Source controlled
How to set up a company in France from the UK
Coordinate French company structure, founder immigration, governance, funding, registration, contracts and tax advice when establishing from the UK.
The immediate answer
What you need to know
A UK founder or company can establish a French entity, but the correct sequence depends on who will own, manage and work in the business. Corporate formation does not by itself grant a founder the right to live or work in France.
Decisions before incorporation
- Will the French activity be a subsidiary, branch, acquisition or founder-led startup?
- Who will own shares, exercise control and act as legal representative?
- Will any UK national live or work in France?
- How will the business be funded and paid for?
- Which contracts, premises, licences or regulated permissions are needed?
- How will French and UK tax, payroll and accounting be coordinated?
SAS and SARL are not interchangeable labels
The SAS offers broad flexibility in governance and investment drafting. The SARL has a more prescribed statutory framework that may suit certain closely held businesses. The correct choice depends on ownership, control, management status, social-security consequences, funding and exit plans.
| Issue | SAS | SARL |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Flexible articles and contractual design | More statutory structure |
| Investment | Often selected for flexible equity arrangements | Can suit stable closely held ownership |
| Manager status | President and any other officers | One or more gérants |
| Decision | Requires legal and tax modelling | Requires legal and tax modelling |
Formation sequence
- 01
Agree the business, ownership and immigration assumptions.
- 02
Select the structure and governance model with legal and tax input.
- 03
Prepare constitutional documents, appointments and beneficial-ownership information.
- 04
Arrange capital, registered office and any sector authorisation.
- 05
Complete registration through the official business-formalities system.
- 06
Put banking, accounting, employment, insurance and operational contracts in place.
Founder residence must be planned separately
A company can be formed while a founder remains outside France, but personally working in or managing the French activity from France can require the appropriate immigration and social-security position. The entrepreneur and Talent routes should be compared before company documents create conflicting facts.
Common questions
Questions people ask before taking the next step
Can a UK company own a French subsidiary?
Yes, subject to the company documents, beneficial-ownership disclosure, governance, tax and regulatory requirements relevant to the activity.
Does forming a French company give me a visa?
No. Corporate registration and personal immigration status are separate, although the business project may support an eligible route.
Which is better, SAS or SARL?
Neither is universally better. The choice depends on founders, investors, governance, manager status, tax, social security and future transactions.
Primary sources
Check the official procedure
These sources were used for the legal and procedural baseline. Volatile requirements should be checked again before an application or transaction.
