Skip to content
Notaryzer
Company formation · France

Form a French SAS or SARL – without a notary

The SAS and the SARL are France's most common company forms. Both can be founded with €1 capital, and a standard formation needs no notary – the registration runs online through the Guichet unique.

Request a formation quote Ask a question

Key facts

Legal forms
SAS / SASU · SARL / EURL
Minimum share capital
€1 (freely set)
Notarial deed
Not required (only for contributions of real estate)
Register
Trade and companies register (RCS) via the online Guichet unique
Registered office
Address in France required (domiciliation possible)
Foreign founders and directors
Allowed
Typical duration
1–3 weeks

Information reviewed: October 13, 2026

What you need

  • Valid passports or ID cards of all shareholders and the president or manager
  • Registered office address in France (lease or domiciliation contract)
  • Business activity and share structure
  • Certificate of deposit of the share capital
  • Declaration of the beneficial owners

Every formation is quoted individually – you receive a written quote before anything is charged.

Start my company

Which legal form fits?

SAS / SASU

Flexible articles, president can be a non-resident; SASU is the single-shareholder version. The most popular choice for new businesses.

SARL / EURL

More regulated structure, often used for family and small businesses; EURL is the single-member version.

Branch (succursale)

Your existing company registers a French branch in the RCS without forming a new entity.

How the formation works

  1. 1

    Articles of association

    We draft the statuts and the appointment of the president or manager, signed electronically or on paper.

  2. 2

    Capital deposit

    The share capital is deposited with a bank or a notary, which issues a certificate of deposit.

  3. 3

    Legal notice

    The formation is announced in a newspaper or online press service authorised for legal notices in the département of the registered office (annonce légale).

  4. 4

    Registration

    The file is submitted online via the Guichet unique; once registered in the RCS you receive the Kbis extract and SIREN number.

After registration

  • Intra-EU VAT number from the tax office
  • Business bank account in France or the EU
  • Annual accounts filed with the commercial court registry
  • Social security registration for the managers where applicable

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Shareholders and the president or manager of an SAS or SARL can live abroad. The company needs a registered office in France, for example through a domiciliation contract.

No. A standard SAS or SARL is formed with private articles. A notary is only needed if real estate is contributed to the company.

The capital is freely set and can be as low as €1. At least half of the cash contributions (one fifth for an SARL) must be paid in at formation, the rest within five years. In practice founders choose an amount that matches the needs of the business and the expectations of banks.

Usually one to three weeks: the capital deposit and the legal notice take a few days, the registration via the Guichet unique and the Kbis extract follow.

Company formation in other countries

Ready to start your company?

Short form, no upload, written quote by email.

Start my company
Questions? Write to [email protected]