Creation of a company: formalities for registration of a micro-company (self-employed)

Verified 12 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

There are very few formalities to create a micro-company. One of them is the registration. This is the declaration of activity of the micro-company to the administration.

The application for registration must be made online on the website of the companies' formalities office, at the earliest 1 month before the start of activity or within 15 days at the latest that follow the start date of the activity.

Window of company formalities

The registration procedure allows the company to be entered in a register. This is different depending on the nature of the activity carried out:

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Commercial activity

The micro-company is registered in the National Register of companies (RNE) and the Trade and businesses Register (RCS).

FYI  

A registration in the Special Register of Commercial Agents (RSAC) is also made in case of business practicecommercial agent.

Craft or liberal activity

The micro-company is registered in the National Register of companies (RNE).

Bpifrance création provides a video tutorial to prepare the completion of the registration formality.

Creative tutorial: Carry out registration formalities

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When applying for registration at the company formalities desk, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:

  • Proof of domiciliation the company with a clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
  • Copy of company project support contract (Cape)
  • Documents concerning the contractor:
    • Declaration on Honor of non-conviction and certificate of filiation dated and signed by the contractor
    • Copy of the contractor's ID
  • Authentic copy of the declaration relating to the exempt status of immovable property not used for business purposes
  • If the contractor is engaged in a regulated activity : copy of the authorization to pursue the activity, diploma or title
  • If the contractor is married under the community regime: copy dated and signed the certificate of issue of the information given to the spouse of the consequences on the common property of debts incurred in the practice of the profession of the entrepreneur
  • If the CIVIL PARTNERSHIP partner or partner is working with the contractor:
    • Certification of honor on the choice of status (employee, partner or collaborator)
    • Extract of marriage or CIVIL PARTNERSHIP certificate or extract of birth certificate with the mention of marriage or CIVIL PARTNERSHIP.
  • In case of purchase of business: copy of the deed of sale and the certificate of publication in a medium of legal announcements of the notice relating to the purchase
  • In case of leasing and management of the business : copy of the rental management agreement and the certificate of publication in a medium of legal announcements of the notice relating to the rental management
  • In the case of management-mandate of business: copy of the contract of management-mandate and the certificate of publication in a medium of legal announcements of the notice relating to the taking in management-mandate.
  • In case of donation : copy of the deed of donation and the right to lease
  • In case of devolution of succession : copy of the notarial deed or inventory, and right to lease.

FYI  

If the person who performs the registration formality is not the contractor, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic act or act under private signature(a) authorizing the person to make representations on behalf of the contractor.

The creation of a micro-company benefits from free registration formalities in most cases:

  • For a commercial activity, registration for the RCS and the RNE is free
  • For a craft or liberal activity, registration to the RNE is free

On the other hand, commercial agents must be registered at SFCR: titleContent. The cost is €23.86.

Once the file has been deposited on the company formalities desk, the company receives a receipt for the deposit of a company creation file (RDDCE) with the mention “ Pending registration ».

This receipt is important because it allows you to take all the necessary steps with public and private organizations. For example, it will be able to subscribe compulsory insurance and complementary to the needs of its activity.

The receipt is valid until receipt of the notification the formalities desk of the companies confirming the registration of the micro-company. The maximum period of validity receipt is from 1 month.

Once the registration is completed, the micro-company receives a proof (or certificate) of registration containing its identification numbers (Siren, EPA codeetc.).

If the file is incomplete, the company formalities desk sends a receipt indicating the missing items. They must then be sent within 15 years working days from receipt of this receipt.

A micro-entrepreneur who deliberately gives inaccurate or incomplete information when registering with the company Formalities Desk shall be liable to a fine of €4,500 and six months' imprisonment.

Furthermore, it is an offense to engage in a commercial, craft or professional activity without being registered in the National Register of companies (RNE) and punishable by a fine of €7,500.

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