You’ve got your business idea, chosen a name and decided on what kind of company you need – EURL, SAS etc. Now there are some formalities to deal with. Here’s what to expect.
1. Create a Bank Account & Deposit Capital
Before you can finalize your company’s rules, you need to prove it has funds. Your first concrete step is to open a professional bank account (compte pro) and deposit your share capital (capital social). The bank will freeze these funds and give you a capital deposit certificate (attestation de dépôt du capital). You absolutely need this document for the next steps.
2. Write and Sign the Articles of Association (Statuts)
This is the “rulebook” or constitution of your company. The statuts are a formal legal document that defines:
- The company’s name, legal form (SAS, SARL, etc.), and address (siège social).
- Its purpose (objet social)—what it does.
- The amount of share capital (that you just deposited in your compte pro).
- The rules for how the company is managed and how decisions are made.
Statuts can be downloaded online but you really want something custom-written. This is especially important if your company has more than one partner. Once drafted, all founders (associates or shareholders) must sign the final version.
3. Publish a Legal Announcement
You must officially notify the public that your company is being created. This is done by publishing a formal notice (an annonce légale) in a specialized online service or newspaper (journal d’annonces légales). This notice includes key details from your statuts. You’ll receive a proof of publication (attestation de parution), another mandatory document for your file.
4. File Your Application with INPI
This is the main event! You must gather your complete application file and submit it online through INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle), which operates the national Guichet Unique (one-stop shop).
Your file will typically include:
- The signed statuts.
- The capital deposit certificate (from the bank).
- The proof of legal announcement.
- Proof of address for the company.
- ID and declarations for the company directors (dirigeants).
5. INPI “Dispatches” Your File
You no longer need to contact every agency yourself. INPI’s Guichet Unique acts as a central hub. Once they validate your file, they automatically transmit the information to all the relevant bodies:
- INSEE: To create your SIREN and SIRET numbers.
- URSSAF: To register you for social security contributions.
- Tax Office (Service des Impôts): To register you for taxes (like VAT).
- Relevant Chambre: eg. Chambre de Commerce or Chambre de Métiers.
- Greffe (Commercial Court Clerk): To register your company in the national register (RCS or RNE).
6. Receive Your Kbis!
This is your company’s official birth certificate. Once the Greffe processes and approves your registration, they will issue your Extrait Kbis. This document proves your company is legally registered, lists its SIREN number, and confirms who its managers are. You are now officially in business!
7. Unblock Your Capital
Remember that money the bank was holding? Now you can access it. Take your brand-new Kbis to the bank. This proves the company legally exists, and the bank will “unblock” the share capital, moving it from the frozen deposit account to your regular professional checking account. You can now use these funds to run your business.
To create your French company, look no further than Dougs. They will write your statuts, publish your legal announcement, submit your file to INPI and send you your Kbis.
And there you have it! Good luck!
Still not sure what kind of company you need? Get in touch