Tyche in France
We already have an established network of contacts in France for creating and directing temporary companies, as well as for external CFO support.
The path to creating a SAS in France, step by step
These timelines assume a complete file (ID documents, supporting evidence, governance decisions made): an incomplete file is the single most common cause of delay, ahead of the administrative timelines themselves. Once the file is genuinely complete, expect generally 10 days to 4 weeks for the legal process itself.
Minimum share capital: Freely set in the articles (a symbolic €1 is possible for a SAS).
Project scoping & complete file
Gathering ID documents, mandate, governance decisions and choice of bank — the essential groundwork for the legal timelines below to actually start running.
Drafting the articles of association
A lawyer or notary is not mandatory — unless real estate is contributed to the capital, in which case their involvement becomes compulsory. We draft or arrange articles suited to a project company.
Share capital deposit
Can be done remotely via an online bank (deposit certificate within 12-72h), with no appointment or physical presence needed. A traditional bank is possible but generally slower and may require a branch visit.
Legal notice publication
Mandatory, about €199 excl. tax. Published online in a legal announcements journal.
Filing with the One-Stop Shop (INPI)
Online filing of the complete registration file (articles, capital deposit certificate, legal notice, director's documents).
RCS registration and Kbis certificate
Processing by the competent commercial court registry. The Kbis is the official document certifying the company's legal existence.
Fund release and operational account
On presenting the Kbis to the bank, the share capital funds are released and the account becomes fully operational.
Safety margin — opening the bank account
On top of the legal timelines above, allow one week of banking margin: KYC checks, extra documentation or a branch appointment can extend account opening, particularly for a non-resident director.
VAT
| Taux | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 20% | |
| Reduced rates | 10% | on-site catering, takeaway food, passenger transport |
| Reduced rates | 5.5% | food, books, energy, energy-renovation works |
| Reduced rates | 2.1% | reimbursed medicines, press |
Corporate tax
25% (reduced 15% rate on the first €42,500 of profit for eligible SMEs).
Is a visa required?
No if you direct the company from abroad without residing more than 90 days in 180 in France. A residence permit becomes necessary only if you are a non-EU/EEA national wishing to settle in France for more than 3 months to run the business on-site — the Passeport Talent visa (business creator) is then the most suitable route.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation, the bank and the relevant authority. We confirm the precise timeline with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Opening a bank account
Is presence in France required?
No, not to create the company: registration can be done by power of attorney and electronic signature. However, some traditional banks may require a branch appointment to open the account — precisely what choosing an online bank for the capital deposit avoids.
Observed timeframe to open the account
12 hours to 3 weeks: a capital-deposit certificate within 12-72h with an online bank (Qonto, Shine...), versus 1-3 weeks with a traditional branch that often requires an in-person appointment; the account becomes fully operational once the Kbis is received.
Share capital deposit
Minimum share capital: Freely set in the articles (a symbolic €1 is possible for a SAS).
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register
Every director or shareholder must be declared as an Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) in the national register — a requirement stemming from EU anti-money-laundering directives (or equivalent standards outside the EU). Bank scrutiny is heightened in two situations common among international clients: when a shareholder or director is a US citizen or US tax resident (FATCA then imposes extra reporting obligations on the bank, which can slow down or complicate account opening); and when a shareholder is based in an African country rated higher-risk by the FATF (extra proof of the origin of funds, longer KYC validation times). We anticipate this with you from the initial assessment if your structure involves such profiles.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Selling on-site and clearing customs
Securing a premises or retail location
Commercial lease ("3-6-9") or a short-term derogatory lease for a stand/pop-up; registering the trading address with the Guichet unique; checking ERP (public-access premises) compliance if open to walk-in customers.
On-site sales & till
A certified cash register is mandatory for any VAT-registered business selling to private customers (certification deadline 1 September 2026; a €7,500 fine applies per non-compliant till).
Cash register suppliers
- SumUp
- Zettle (PayPal)
- Lightspeed
- Ingenico/Worldline (terminal bancaire)
- Shopify POS
Payment providers for small businesses
- Stripe
- Adyen
- Mollie
- PayPal Business
- Worldline
Indicative, non-exhaustive list of examples of solutions present on the local market — availability and terms change quickly; we help you select the best-suited offer during the assessment of your project.
Customs & ATA carnet
To exhibit or sell equipment at a trade fair, the ATA carnet allows temporary import of goods — professional equipment, samples, stand fittings — without advancing customs duties or import VAT, provided they are re-exported within the allotted period (generally 12 months, sometimes 6 months for fair equipment). The carnet is issued by the chamber of commerce in the country of departure and recognised across the international network of ATA Convention countries, a network that covers France.
Importing products from outside the European Union
To import goods from a non-EU country (China, the US, etc.), an EORI number is essential for any customs procedure. Customs duties depend on the tariff code (combined nomenclature) and the product's origin; import VAT is then due at the rate applicable in the destination country, generally recoverable if the business is VAT-registered. Depending on trade agreements in force, some products benefit from reduced or zero duties on presentation of a certificate of origin. The competent authority for these procedures is French Customs (DGDDI).
On-site consumer rules
A sale concluded in person at a stand during a trade fair that is not your usual place of business is generally classed as an "off-premises" contract under the EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU): the customer then has a 14-day right of withdrawal, subject to exceptions (personalised, perishable or sealed goods). This principle, harmonised across the EU/EEA, applies in France — we check the local details with you based on your sales activity.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.