Can a foreigner set up a company in France?
Verified 01 June 2026 - Entreprendre Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
A foreigners national may set up a company in France, but the procedures differ according to his nationality: a national of a Member State of theEU (EU), theEuropean Economic Area (EEA) or a third-country national.
National of an EU / EEA / Switzerland Member State
A national of a Member State ofEU (EU), theEuropean Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland must follow different steps to set up a company in France. These are the same steps as for the French national:
Step-by-step approach
Several steps are necessary to prepare your entrepreneurial project:
- Define the company's project
- Finance the company's project
- Choose the legal status of the company
1. Define the company's project
Before embarking on the creation of a company, it is important to clearly define the project of the company.
Once the idea of company has been chosen, it is necessary todevelop a business model. The latter makes it possible in particular to visualize, design and adjust the economic model of a company. He therefore describes the company's project.
The second step consists in carry out a market study. It allows us to know whether the proposed project is profitable or not, thanks to 4 elements: supply, demand, environment and commercial strategy.
2. Financing the company project
The preparation of an entrepreneurial project involves two essential steps:development of a business plan and the search for funding.
The writing a business plan (business plan) is a critical step in creating a business. The business plan is a structured document that formalizes the company project, detailing its strategy (financing strategy, tax strategy or communication strategy), its financial forecasts and its economic model.
Please note
The development of a business plan is also essential for convincing banks and investors. It is the key tool to reassure the various stakeholders about the viability of the company.
Several possibilities exist for find funding :
- Financing your company through equity, i.e. through your own resources
- Financing your company through a bank loan
- Raise funds through the entry of new investors into the capital of the business
- Benefit from company creation aid (Acre, Arce, Cape, ex-Nacre, etc.)
- Register for competitions or receive scholarships
- Obtain a loan of honor
Please note
Find more information on the company creation aids available in the next chapter " Find out about company creation aids ».
3. Choose the legal status of the company
To choose the legal form of a company (SAS, SARL, , etc.), several factors must be taken into consideration, including the number of members, the amount of share capital or the extent of the responsibility of the head of company and/or members.
However, the tax and social security system remain the essential points to be considered in the choice of legal form.
Please note
More information on the sheet: " Company creation: choose the legal form of your company ».
The future foreigner entrepreneur can benefit from various aids to set up his company, whether it is financial support or accompanying devices. This aid varies according to the profile of the project leader and the stage of progress of the project.
Financial aid
As a project leader, there are many ways to finance a company creation project: bank loan, crowdfunding, business angels, public aid such as theAcre, theArceetc.).
Please note
In particular, the Acre allows for a partial exemption from social security contributions at the start of the activity, while the Arce consists of a payment of part of the unemployment rights in the form of capital.
Additional public aid may also be mobilized, in particular that proposed by local authorities or by Bpifrance, which intervenes through loans, guarantees and support schemes.
Example :
This is for example the case of Transmission Loan proposed by Bpifrance.
Find the details and conditions specific to each financing solution in our dedicated sheet.
To identify the aid adapted to each project, the CMA: titleContent make available a reference database of all existing devices:
Reference database on company aid
Warning
A national of a Member State ofEuropean Union, theEuropean Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland may, in principle, benefit from the majority of such aid in France, subject to meet the requirements. For example, the benefit ofArce: titleContent is subject to registration as a jobseeker in France, which implies residency.
Accompanying devices
The project leader can claim to different support devices to help him set up his company in France.
Support networks such as France Active, Initiative France or Réseau Entreprendre.
To learn more about these support networks:
Financing networks offering support and follow-up for young companies
Bpifrance Creation
Pour en savoir plus
Please note
Students and recent graduates can also benefit from the Pépite France device, a national network to support and raise awareness of entrepreneurship in higher education. In this context, it is possible to access the National Student-Entrepreneur Status, which allows the development of a company creation project alongside studies, while benefiting from support within its establishment and dedicated follow-up.
To learn more about the Pépite France device :
This system aims to raise awareness and support company creation projects. This device makes it possible in particular to obtain the national status of student entrepreneur and to benefit from dedicated support, as well as a study layout.
In case of project said innovative, project leaders may also be accompanied by incubators. For example, incubators such as Station F in Paris, Incubateur HEC Paris or Agoranov support entrepreneurs at different stages of their entrepreneurial project. These facilities offer personalized support as well as access to a network of experts and partners, in order to facilitate the launch and growth of the company.
Consult our sheet to discover how to test a project or activity in a company incubator.
Innovative projects can also benefit from French Tech's facilities. They accompany the development of start-up in France by facilitating access to a dynamic innovation ecosystem.
To learn more about the French Tech :
In this context, some companies that invest in research and development (R&D) can also obtain the status of Young Innovative company (JEI), allowing them to benefit from tax and social exemptions.
As a national of a Member State ofEU (EU), theEuropean Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, it is necessary to check whether the proposed activity is regulated in France.
For this, it is possible to consult the following directory :
Search for regulated activities or professions
Please note
If the activity is not regulated, it may be exercised freely, without any special condition of diploma or authorization.
When the activity or profession is regulated, its exercise is subject to specific conditions, in particular as regards professional qualifications.
Some regulated activities require proof of a diploma or professional qualification so that they can be exercised. In this case:
- If the diploma was obtained in France, in principle it allows direct practice.
- If the diploma was obtained in another State of theEU or theEEA, it may be the subject of a recognition, in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. Depending on the situation, this recognition may be automatic or require additional measures (aptitude tests, adaptation courses, etc.).
In addition, not all regulated professions operate in the same way:
- Some require a registration with a professional order (doctors, architects, chartered accountants, for example).
- Others, including craft professions (as baker-pastry chef, hairdresser at homeor butcher), mainly require proof of a qualification or professional experience, without registration to an order.
Additional requirements may apply as appropriate, such as sufficient level of language in french or the compliance with specific professional rules.
Please note
It is possible to request a European Professional Card (EPC) to facilitate the recognition of qualifications in certain regulated professions: general care nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, mountain guide and real estate agent. It simplifies procedures for the recognition of professional qualifications but is not compulsory.
Recognition of professional qualifications in the EU
A national of theEuropean Union, theEuropean Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland can come to France and stay there freely: this is the principle of free movement of persons. He has no need for a residence permit to create a company.
Warning
More than 3 months of stay in France, the right of residence remains guaranteed, but it is packaged : you must either pursue a professional activity (employed or independent), have sufficient resources and health insurance, or be a student with sufficient resources.
Even without a residence permit, certain administrative procedures may require justify the regularity of the stay, for example for opening a bank account of a businessregister a company or join social security.
Certain administrative procedures (e.g opening a bank account of a businessregistering a company or affiliating to social security) sometimes require proof that the stay in France is regular. This does not mean that a residence permit is mandatory, but that proof of status or activity can be requested.
In this context, the residence card bearing the words “EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen - All professional activities” may be requested to facilitate these steps. It is optional and officially certifies the right to stay and to pursue a professional activity, but it is never mandatory to set up or manage a company.
FYI
After 5 years of legal residence in France, an EU/EEA/Swiss national may apply for a residence card bearing the words ‘ EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen - Permanent residence - All professional activities », which facilitates proof of his right to stay and offers rights similar to those of French residents. This card is separate from the card ‘EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen - All professional activities» and is not necessary for the creation of a company.
Right to permanent residence
Residence card mention " EU/EEA/Swiss citizen - All professional activities
Residence card mention " EU/EEA/Swiss citizen - Permanent residence - All professional activities "
After verification of the regulatory obligations related to the activity and any formalities of stay, it is necessary to proceed to the various registration formalities to build the company.
Before applying for registration, a number of steps and formalities must be carried out upstream, where the legal form of the chosen company is a business (SAS, SARL, etc.):
- Domiciliation of the company : it is a matter of determining the headquarters of the business
- Deposit of share capital : once incorporated, the business' share capital must be deposited in a bank account. It can be recovered after the registration of the business
- Appointment of officer : the partners or the sole partner must designate the business manager
- Drafting of statutes : the statutes of the business shall contain all important information concerning the functioning of the business. In the case of a contribution in kind, it is necessary to appoint a contribution commissioner to assess the amount of the contribution and indicate it in the articles
- Publication of the creation in a legal advertising medium : once the statutes have been adopted, the creation of the business must be published in a medium authorized to receive legal announcements (Shal)
FYI
In the case of a (option for the micro-company scheme or not), none of these administrative formalities are necessary. It is only appropriate to choose the company's domicile.
Once all the steps and formalities have been carried out in advance, an application for registration of the company must be sent on the website of the company formalities window :
Once the request is made, the company is automatically entered in the national company register (RNE), and RCS: titleContent, where appropriate.
Please note
In case of activity ofsales agent, it is also necessary to register for the SFCR: titleContent.
After registration of the company, two unique company identification numbers shall be issued:
- The Siren identifies the business: it is used in relations with administrations or customers, since it must appear on invoices, quotes, etc.
- The Siret identifies the establishment in which the activity is carried out.
Also assigned is a APE activity code (main activity carried out).
Warning
From 1er January 2027, all companies and institutions will see their amended EPA code according to the new NAF 2025. It is possible to view sound new EPA code and to request a possible rectification. To do this, simply fill in the Siren number of the company in the tool made available on the website Sirene.gouv.fr. The new APE code appears with the name " EPA Code 2025 » and « 2025 Activity Label ».
On the single body responsible for company formalities
Third-country national
Third-country nationals must follow various steps to set up a company in France:
Step-by-step approach
Several steps are necessary to prepare your entrepreneurial project:
- Define the company's project
- Finance the company's project
- Choose the legal status of the company
1. Define the company's project
Before embarking on the creation of a company, it is important to clearly define the project of the company.
Once the idea of company has been chosen, it is necessary todevelop a business model. The latter makes it possible in particular to visualize, design and adjust the economic model of a company. He therefore describes the company's project.
The second step consists in carry out a market study. It allows us to know whether the proposed project is profitable or not, thanks to 4 elements: supply, demand, environment and commercial strategy.
2. Financing the company project
The preparation of an entrepreneurial project involves two essential steps:development of a business plan and the search for funding.
The writing a business plan (business plan) is a critical step in creating a business. The business plan is a structured document that formalizes the draft business, detailing its strategy (financing strategy, tax strategy or even communication strategy), its financial forecasts and its economic model.
Please note
The development of a business plan is also essential for convincing banks and investors. This is the key tool to reassure the various stakeholders on the viability of the business.
Several possibilities exist for find funding :
- Financing your company through equity, i.e. through your own resources
- Financing your company through a bank loan
- Raise funds through the entry of new investors into the capital of the business
- Benefit from company creation aid (Acre, Arce, Cape, ex-Nacre, etc.)
- Register for competitions or receive scholarships
- Obtain a loan of honor
Please note
Find more information on the company creation aids available in the next chapter " Find out about company creation aids ».
3. Choose the legal status of the company
To choose the legal form of a company (SAS, SARL, , etc.), several factors must be taken into account, including the number of members, the amount of share capital or the extent of the liability of the members.
However, the tax and social security system remain the essential points to be considered in the choice of legal form.
Please note
More information on the sheet: " Company creation: choose the legal form of your company ».
The future foreigner entrepreneur can benefit from various aids to set up his company, whether it is financial support or accompanying devices. This aid varies according to the profile of the project leader and the stage of progress of the activity.
Financial aid
As a project leader, there are many ways to finance a company creation project: bank loan, crowdfunding, business angels, public aid such as theAcre, theArceetc.).
Please note
In particular, the Acre allows for a partial exemption from social security contributions at the start of the activity, while the Arce consists of a payment of part of the unemployment rights in the form of capital.
Additional public aid may also be mobilized, in particular that proposed by local authorities or by Bpifrance, which intervenes through loans, guarantees and support schemes.
Example :
This is for example the case of Transmission Loan proposed by Bpifrance.
Find the details and conditions specific to each financing solution in our dedicated sheet.
To identify the aid adapted to each project, the CMA: titleContent make available a reference database of all existing devices:
Reference database on company aid
Warning
A third-country national to theEU (EU) may, in principle, benefit from the majority of such aid in France, subject to meet the requirements. For example, the benefit ofArce: titleContent is subject to registration as a jobseeker in France, which implies residency.
Accompanying devices
The project leader can claim to different support devices to help him set up his company in France.
Support networks such as France Active, Initiative France or Réseau Entreprendre.
To learn more about these support networks:
Financing networks offering support and follow-up for young companies
Bpifrance Creation
Pour en savoir plus
Please note
Students and recent graduates can also benefit from the Pépite France device, a national network to support and raise awareness of entrepreneurship in higher education. In this context, it is possible to access the National Student-Entrepreneur Status, which allows the development of a company creation project alongside studies, while benefiting from support within its establishment and dedicated follow-up.
To learn more about the Pépite France device:
which aims to raise awareness and support company creation projects. This device makes it possible in particular to obtain the national status of student entrepreneur and to benefit from dedicated support, as well as a study layout.
In case of project said innovative, project leaders may also be accompanied by incubators. For example, incubators such as Station F in Paris, Incubateur HEC Paris or Agoranov support entrepreneurs at different stages of their entrepreneurial project. These facilities offer personalized support as well as access to a network of experts and partners, in order to facilitate the launch and growth of the company.
Consult our sheet to discover how to test a project or activity in a company incubator.
Innovative projects can also benefit from French Tech schemes, including the French Tech Visa, which facilitates the installation in France of foreigners entrepreneurs and integration into the ecosystem start-up.
To learn more about the device French Tech Visa:
In this context, some companies that invest in research and development (R&D) can also obtain the status of Young Innovative company (JEI), allowing them to benefit from tax and social exemptions.
As a third-country national, it is necessary to check whether the proposed activity is regulated in France.
For this, it is possible to consult the following directory :
Search for regulated activities or professions
Please note
If the proposed activity or occupation is not regulated, it may be exercised freely, subject to the formalities of residence.
When the activity is regulated, its exercise is subject to specific conditions relating to professional qualifications. In this case:
- If the diploma was obtained in France, it allows in principle to exercise directly, subject to compliance with the rules of residence.
- If the diploma was obtained in another EU or EEA state, it may be recognized in France by benefiting from the system of recognition of the Directive 2005/36/EC of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications.
- If the diploma was obtained in a third country, it is not recognized automatically. Its holder must generally have his qualifications recognized by the French authorities, either by proving prior recognition in a Member State of theEU or theEEA accompanied by professional experience, either by undergoing tests or knowledge control measures.
Some occupations require a registration with a professional order (doctors, architects, chartered accountants, etc.), while others, including craft professions (baker-pastry chef, hairdresser at home, butcher, etc.), mainly require proof of a qualification or professional experience, without registration with an order.
Please note
Additional requirements may apply as appropriate, such as sufficient level of language in french or the compliance with specific professional rules.
Recognition of professional qualifications of a diploma obtained in the EU
In order to undertake business in France as a third-country national (Morocco, USA, China, etc.), it is first necessary to distinguish according to whether the foreigner resides in France or not.
A foreigner can set up a company in France without residing there. On the other hand, if he wishes to settle or carry out his activity there effectively, he must have residence permit authorizing the activity.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You already live or wish to live in France
If you wish to set up a company in France and reside there, it is mandatory to obtain a long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS). This visa allows to stay in France more than 3 months to 1 year.
Warning
If you already live in France (and that you already hold a visa), it is necessary to change your status.
Once the person is on French territory, it is advisable to request a residence card. There are several depending on your status and the activity envisaged:
Residence permit | Activity concerned | Conditions for obtaining | Duration of issue |
|---|---|---|---|
Allows to exercise a commercial, craft, industrial or liberal activity on French territory. | Demonstrate that theactivity is economically viable and that she respect thepublic order as well as good morals. | 1 year, renewable subject to conditions (in particular where the declared activity is effectively and seriously pursued) | |
Allows foreigner students and researchers concerned to remain in France after completing their studies or research to complete their training with a first professional experience or to set up a company. | Accessible to:
| 1 year, non-renewable | |
Can be issued for 3 different reasons, each corresponding to specific conditions:
|
| 4 years maximum | |
For the non-European nationals residing in France for at least 5 years and who wish to settle permanently in France, in order to practice an employed or self-employed profession. |
| 10 years, renewable | |
For Algerian nationals: one-year certificate of residence marked ‘Self-employed occupation’ | Allows to exercise a commercial, craft or industrial activity for a period of more than 3 months in France. |
| 1 year, renewable subject to conditions |
For Algerian nationals: 10-year certificate of residence | Allows the exercise of any professional activity. | The conditions for obtaining the certificate of residence vary according to the reason for stay. More information about our dedicated sheet. | 10 years, renewable |
Please note
The residence permit ‘ Talent - Corporate officer » is intended for foreigners nationals appointed as managers of a business in France (manager, president, legal representative), in particular within a group or a subsidiary. It does not constitute an obligation for running a company as a foreigner. The function of manager may also be exercised in the context of the other residence permits mentioned in the table above.
Residence card "entrepreneur/liberal profession"
Issuance of the residence card "talent"
Student or researcher foreigners who extend their stay for job search or company creation purposes
Issuance of the long-term resident card - EU
Issuance of a certificate of residence for Algerian nationals
You do not wish to reside in France
If you do not wish to reside in France (i.e. more than 90 days per year over a period of 180 days), no visa or residence permit is required to set up a company in France.
Warning
If you want to enter and stay in France for a fixed period, it is necessary to request a Schengen short-stay visa. This visa allows a non-citizen EU: titleContent/EEA: titleContent to enter and stay in France (including theSchengen area) for a maximum of 90 days over a period of 180 days, whatever the reason (exercising a professional activity in France, business travel, tourism, etc.).
For persons with family members who are European nationals, no visa is required. It is only necessary to file an application for a residence permit with the prefecture within 3 months of their arrival in France.
It is possible to running a business in France, (i.e. becoming corporate officer) without residing in France. However, the actual and usual exercise of this activity on French territory requires the possession of an appropriate residence permit.
By contrast, the exercise of an activity asindividual contractor requires a residence in France and a residence permit authorizing the exercise of a self-employed activity.
The application for a residence permit may be refused.
In the event of receipt of a refusal letter, the foreigners national is obliged to leave France. Except in exceptional cases, this refusal is accompanied by an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF) setting the country to which he will be returned.
In this case, it has a right to appeal to the administrative court :
In the absence of a response after 4 months, it is an implicit refusal. The foreigner national may, however challenge that refusal within 2 months by an administrative appeal. This can be either an ex gratia appeal to the prefect or a hierarchical appeal to the Ministry of the Interior. It is also possible to appeal to the administrative court.
After verification of the regulatory obligations related to the activity and any formalities of stay, it is necessary to proceed to the various registration formalities to build the company.
Before applying for registration, a number of steps and formalities must be carried out upstream, where the legal form of the chosen company is a business (SAS, SARL, etc.):
- Domiciliation of the company : it is a matter of determining the headquarters of the business
- Deposit of share capital : once incorporated, the business' share capital must be deposited in a bank account. It can be recovered after the registration of the business
- Appointment of officer : the partners or the sole partner must designate the business manager
- Drafting of statutes : the statutes of the business shall contain all important information concerning the functioning of the business. In the case of a contribution in kind, it is necessary to appoint a contribution commissioner to assess the amount of the contribution and indicate it in the articles
- Publication of the creation in a legal advertising medium : once the statutes have been adopted, the creation of the business must be published in a medium authorized to receive legal announcements (Shal)
FYI
In the case of a (option for the micro-company scheme or not), none of these administrative formalities are necessary. It is only appropriate to choose the company's domicile.
Once all the steps and formalities have been carried out in advance, an application for registration of the company must be sent on the website of the company formalities window :
Once the request is made, the company is automatically entered in the national company register (RNE), and RCS: titleContent, where appropriate.
Please note
In case of activity ofsales agent, it is also necessary to register for the SFCR: titleContent.
After registration of the company, two unique company identification numbers shall be issued:
- The Siren identifies the company: it is used in relations with administrations or customers, since it must appear on invoices, quotes, etc.
- The Siret identifies the establishment in which the activity is carried out.
Also assigned is a APE activity code (main activity carried out).
Warning
From 1er January 2027, all companies and institutions will see their amended EPA code according to the new NAF 2025. It is possible to view sound new EPA code and to request a possible rectification. To do this, simply fill in the Siren number of the company in the tool made available on the website Sirene.gouv.fr. The new APE code appears with the name " EPA Code 2025 » and « 2025 Activity Label ».
On the single body responsible for company formalities
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration (Ofii)
- Directorate of Immigration - Ministry of the Interior
To obtain the long-stay visa
Visa department (French embassy/consulate abroad)To obtain the residence card (except in Paris)
PrefectureTo obtain the residence card (only in Paris)
Prefecture of police of Paris - Service of residence permits
On the single body responsible for company formalities
Right to permanent residence
Residence card "entrepreneur/liberal profession"
Issuance of the residence card "talent"
Student or researcher foreigners who extend their stay for job search or company creation purposes
Issuance of the long-term resident card - EU
Residence card mention " EU/EEA/Swiss citizen - All professional activities
Residence card mention " EU/EEA/Swiss citizen - Permanent residence - All professional activities "
Issuance of a certificate of residence for Algerian nationals
Recognition of professional qualifications in the EU
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