Incorporating and depositing the share capital of a business

Verified 20 October 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The deposit of the share capital in a bank account is a mandatory step to register a commercial business, but optional for civil businesses. The share capital attests to the financial solidity of the project and the commitment of the partners. The funds are paid out on a blocked bank account, then become accessible upon registration of the business.

Social capital is a component of business equity. It is therefore part of the business resources, in the same way as reservations or the result of the exercise.

The share capital corresponds to the different contributions made by the partners or shareholders to the business. In exchange, they receive shares or shares (depending on the chosen legal form of the business), which give them rights proportional to their capital contribution, such as voting at a general meeting (AGO: titleContent or AGE: titleContent) or collect dividends for example.

The distribution of share capital thus makes it possible to identify precisely the number of shares or shares held by each member or shareholder, and thus to determine their respective power in the business decision-making.

Finally, share capital also serves as a means of financing, since it makes it possible to compensate for the excessive losses of the business and to prevent it from ending up in cessation of payment.

Please note

The amount of the share capital must be indicated in the articles of association and in all documents of the business.

The deposit of the share capital is one of the first steps the constitution of the business. This step corresponds to the pooling of different resources by the partners or shareholders.

There are 3 types of possible inputs:

  • Inputs in cash (sum of money)
  • Inputs in nature (buildings, machinery, etc.)
  • Inputs in industry (know-how, experience, relationships that a person puts at the service of the business)

Only cash and in-kind contributions make up the share capital of the business. A contribution to industry is never taken into account in the calculation of the share capital of a business.

Please note

In case of contribution in kind, one or more Commissioners for Contributions must be appointed unanimously by the shareholders or, failing that, by a court decision.

Once constituted, the prior deposit of the share capital on a blocked professional bank account is mandatory for any commercial business (SAS, LLC, SA) to enable theregistration of the business. Filing is optional for civil businesses (ICS, SCMetc.).

The amount of the share capital and the terms of its initial payment vary according to the legal form of the business.

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SAS / SASU

The starting amount of the share capital of the SAS (simplified share business) and the SASU (single-person simplified share business) is free and shall be defined in the statutes of the business. The minimum amount of share capital may therefore be€1, although this is not recommended.

Indeed, higher share capital helps to strengthen the financial soundness of the business from its inception. It facilitates obtaining bank financing and reassures partners (suppliers, future shareholders, etc.). Finally, in the event of a loss, higher capital limits the risks associated with the mandatory procedure that is initiated when the equity falls below half of the share capital.

It is not mandatory to deposit the full amount indicated in the articles of association from the outset. However, the down payment must be at least of 50% of the sum indicated.

The remainder of the share capital must be paid into a 5 years according to the business registration.

Example :

A SAS created with a share capital of €5,000 must pay at least €2,500 at the time of its creation. The remaining balance of €2,500 must be paid within 5 years of registration of the business.

SARL / EURL

The starting amount of the share capital of the LLC (limited liability company) and theEURL (single-person limited liability company) is free and shall be defined in the statutes of the business. The minimum amount of share capital may therefore be€1, although this is not recommended.

Indeed, higher share capital helps to strengthen the financial soundness of the business from its inception. It facilitates obtaining bank financing and reassures partners (suppliers, future shareholders, etc.). Finally, in the event of a loss, higher capital limits the risks associated with the mandatory procedure that is initiated when the equity falls below half of the share capital.

It is not mandatory to deposit the full amount indicated in the articles of association from the outset. However, the down payment must be at least of 20% of the sum indicated.

The remainder of the share capital must be paid into a 5 years according to the business registration.

Example :

A SARL created with a share capital of €5,000 must pay at least €1,000 at the time of its creation. The remaining balance of €4,000 must be paid within 5 years of registration of the business.

SA

The share capital of the SA must be greater than or equal to €37,000.

It is not mandatory to deposit the full amount indicated in the articles of association from the outset. However, the down payment must be at least of 50% of the sum indicated.

The remainder of the share capital must be paid into a 5 years according to the business registration.

Example :

A SA created with a share capital of €37,000 must pay at least €18,500 at the time of its creation. The remaining balance of €18,500 must be paid within 5 years of registration of the business.

Civil businesses (ICS, SCM, SCP, etc.)

No minimum share capital is imposed for civil businesses (ICS, SCM, SCPetc.). The amount of the share capital is freely determined by the members and can therefore be€1, although this is not recommended.

Indeed, higher share capital helps to strengthen the financial soundness of the business from its inception. It facilitates obtaining bank financing and reassures partners (suppliers, future shareholders, etc.). Finally, in the event of a loss, higher capital limits the risks associated with the mandatory procedure that is initiated when the equity falls below half of the share capital.

To deposit the share capital of a business, it is required to open a dedicated account in the name of the business in training. It is commonly referred to as business bank account.

It's the legal representative of the business who must deposit the share capital with a credit institution or a notary. We call it the depositor. If the business has more than one partner, the partners must directly remit the funds they contribute to the business.

The deposit of the share capital may not be made in a payment institution.

Please note

Since 1er June 2021, it is no longer possible to deposit the share capital with the Caisse des dépôts et des consignations. It is possible to recover the capital deposited before this date by following the procedure indicated on the Caisse des dépôts website.

Business can also give power of attorney to person authorized by the business and authorize it to deposit the share capital on its behalf.

The share capital may be deposited in one of the following ways:

  • Bank check from a bank domiciled in France
  • Bank transfer
  • Species

Once the share capital has been deposited and all registration formalities once completed, the registration file can be sent to the website of the companies' formalities desk:

Window of company formalities

Funds deposited into the escrow account will be available after the business is registered at RNE: titleContent. It is said that social capital is placed in receivership.

The deposit of share capital is a one of the first steps the constitution of the business. This step consists in pay out the funds constituting the capital on a blocked account. The deposit of share capital may or may not be compulsory, depending on the legal form of the business.

Commercial businesses (SAS, SARL, SA)

The deposit of the share capital is mandatory for all commercial businesses (SAS, LLC, SA) and must be carried out before the drafting and signing of statutes and before theregistration of the business.

Please note

The banking institution or notary with which the share capital has been deposited must issue a certificate of deposit of funds, a document which is essential for the registration file of the business.

Civil businesses (ICS, SCM, SCP, etc.)

The deposit of share capital is not an obligation for civil businesses (ICS, SCMetc.).

To deposit the share capital of the business, the depositor (on legal representative of the business or the mandated person must provide the following documents :

  • Application for a share capital deposit
  • Settlement of the deposit amount
  • Identity document and address of the legal representative of the business
  • List of subscribers and identification of each partner or shareholder
  • Draft complete statutes dated less than one year

Once the deposit is made, the custodian funds must provide a certificate of deposit of funds to the applicant comprising the following elements:

  • Name or company name of the business to be created
  • Address of head office
  • Total paid-up capital
  • Amount paid by each partner or shareholder with the name of each
  • Place and date of filing
  • Stamp and signature of custodian

Please note

The certificate of deposit of funds is essential for register the business.

The funds of the share capital of the business will be released after the registration of the business. The latter should be justified by providing the custodian the proof of registration business.

The funds can then be placed on a current account opened in the name of the company and used according to the business' needs.