France is the European Union’s second-largest economy and one of the most rewarding destinations for Indian entrepreneurs looking to build a European presence. With 100% foreign ownership permitted, a minimum share capital as low as EUR 1, and access to the EU single market, France offers a compelling proposition. But navigating French bureaucracy, legal structures, and registration portals can be daunting if you don’t know where to start.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know to register a company in France from India in 2026 — from choosing between SAS and SARL, to submitting your documents on the INPI Guichet Unique portal, to receiving your Kbis extract.
Can Indians Own 100% of a French Company?
Yes Indian nationals can own 100% of a French company without any French co-founder, local partner, or resident director requirement. France does not impose foreign ownership restrictions for most business sectors.
However, you must comply with:
- FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act)Â regulations in India for overseas direct investment
- RBI ODI (Overseas Direct Investment)Â reporting requirements
- French anti-money laundering rules, including UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) registration
Some regulated sectors defence, banking, media have additional restrictions, but for tech, consulting, manufacturing, and most commercial activities, you are free to proceed as the sole shareholder from India.
SAS vs SARL Which Structure Should You Choose?
The two most popular legal structures for foreign entrepreneurs setting up in France are the SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) and the SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée). Both offer limited liability and a minimum capital of EUR 1.
SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée)
- Head of company: Président (can be a legal entity or individual)
- Share capital:Â Minimum EUR 1; shares freely transferable (with shareholder agreement clauses)
- Shareholders:Â No maximum number
- Flexibility:Â Highly flexible governance ideal for VC-backed startups, multiple investors, or companies planning to issue BSPCE (founder stock options)
- Social charges: If the Président is not a shareholder, they are treated as an employee (assimilé-salarié) higher social charges but full social protection
- Best for:Â Startups, tech companies, investor-backed ventures, companies with multiple international shareholders
SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée)
- Head of company:Â GĂ©rant (must be an individual, not a legal entity)
- Share capital:Â Minimum EUR 1; share transfers require approval of other associates
- Shareholders:Â Maximum 100 associates
- Flexibility:Â More rigid governance than SAS; governed by mandatory statutory rules
- Social charges: If the Gérant holds majority (>50%), classified as TNS (travailleur non-salarié) lower social charges but reduced social protection
- Best for:Â Family businesses, small trading companies, single-owner businesses where cost efficiency matters
SAS vs SARL Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | SAS | SARL |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Capital | EUR 1 | EUR 1 |
| Head of Company | Président | Gérant |
| Max Shareholders | Unlimited | 100 |
| Governance Flexibility | Very High | Moderate |
| BSPCE Stock Options | ✅ Available | ❌ Not available |
| Social Charges (Manager) | Higher (assimilé-salarié) | Lower if majority (TNS) |
| Best For | Startups, VC-backed, multi-shareholder | Family, small trading, single owner |
Our recommendation for Indian entrepreneurs: In most cases, choose SAS. It offers the flexibility to onboard investors, issue stock options, and adapt governance as your business grows all critical for internationally-minded companies.
Documents Required to Register a French Company from India
Before you begin the registration process, gather the following documents. All non-French documents must be translated into French by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté) and, in most cases, apostilled.
For Individual Shareholders/Directors (non-residents)
- Valid passport (colour copy of photo page)
- Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, dated within 3 months) translated into French
- Declaration of non-conviction (declaration on honour that you have no criminal record) you can draft this yourself and sign it
- For SARL GĂ©rant: Proof of identity with apostille if required by the Greffe
Company Documents
- Statuts (Articles of Association)Â drafted in French, signed by all shareholders
- Proof of registered address in France (lease agreement, domiciliation contract, or property ownership certificate)
- Capital deposit certificate from a French bank or notary (attestation de dépôt des fonds)
- Annonce légale (legal publication) receipt
- Declaration of beneficial ownership (registre des bénéficiaires effectifs)
Domiciliation If You Don’t Have a French Office
If you don’t yet have a physical office in France, you can use a domiciliation company (business address provider). This is a common, legal, and affordable solution (from ~EUR 30–80/month) that provides a registered address, mail handling, and sometimes meeting rooms.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Step 1: Choose Your Legal Structure
Decide between SAS and SARL (see Section 2 above). Draft your statuts (articles of association) accordingly. For SAS, your statuts will be more extensive, covering governance, share transfers, shareholder agreements, and more.
Step 2: Deposit Your Share Capital
Open a capital deposit account at a French bank or notary and deposit your share capital. Even EUR 1 is sufficient, but practically, you’ll want to deposit at least EUR 1,000–10,000 to demonstrate business viability. The bank will issue an attestation de dĂ©pĂ´t des fonds you need this for registration.
Note: Some online banks (like Qonto or Shine) now offer capital deposit services, making this step easier for non-residents.
Step 3: Publish Your Annonce LĂ©gale
Before registering, you must publish a legal notice of your company’s formation in an authorised journal (journal d’annonces lĂ©gales JAL) in the French department where your registered office is located. This typically costs EUR 150–250 and can be done online through platforms like Infogreffe, LegalPlace, or LegalStart.
Step 4: Register on INPI Guichet Unique
Since January 2023, all French company registrations are processed through the INPI Guichet Unique portal (guichet.inpi.fr). This replaced the old CFE (Centre de Formalités des Entreprises) system. You submit all your documents electronically through this single window.
Step 5: Greffe Processing
After your Guichet Unique submission, your file is forwarded to the Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce (commercial court clerk) of your jurisdiction. The Greffe reviews your statuts, checks your documents, and records your company in the RCS.
Step 6: Receive Your SIREN, SIRET & Kbis
Once approved (typically 5–10 business days), you receive:
- Your SIREN number (9-digit national company identifier)
- Your SIRET number (14-digit, location-specific identifier)
- Your Kbis extract the official certificate of company existence, equivalent to India’s Certificate of Incorporation
The INPI Guichet Unique Portal Explained
The INPI Guichet Unique (guichet.inpi.fr) is France’s centralised business registration portal, launched in January 2023. It handles all business formalities creation, modification, and dissolution for companies, sole traders, and associations.
How to Use Guichet Unique as a Non-Resident
- Create an account on guichet.inpi.fr
- Select “CrĂ©er une entreprise” (Create a company)
- Choose your legal form (SAS, SARL, etc.)
- Fill in company details: name, registered address, activity (APE/NAF code), share capital, and shareholder information
- Upload all required documents (statuts, capital deposit certificate, annonce légale proof, identity documents)
- Pay the registration fee online
- Track your application status through the portal
Language: The portal is entirely in French. If you’re not fluent, consider working with a French legal professional or a company formation service.
Registration fee at the Greffe: Approximately EUR 37.45 for an SAS or SARL (as of 2026, subject to change).
SIREN, SIRET & Kbis What They Mean
SIREN Number
The SIREN (Système d’Identification du RĂ©pertoire des Entreprises) is a unique 9-digit number assigned to every French company by INSEE (the French national statistics institute). It identifies your company at the national level and never changes, even if you move locations or change your company’s name.
SIRET Number
The SIRET is a 14-digit number your 9-digit SIREN + a 5-digit establishment code (NIC). Each physical location of your business gets its own SIRET. If you have one office, you have one SIRET. Open a second location, and you get a second SIRET.
Kbis Extract
The Kbis extract (extrait Kbis) is the official document issued by the Greffe confirming your company’s registration in the RCS. It contains your company name, registered address, legal form, share capital, SIREN number, Greffe jurisdiction, and names of directors. It’s the French equivalent of India’s Certificate of Incorporation and is required for opening bank accounts, signing contracts, and bidding for public tenders.
You can download your Kbis at any time from infogreffe.fr. Kbis extracts older than 3 months may not be accepted by banks or authorities always request a fresh copy when needed.
Annonce LĂ©gale (Legal Notice) Why You Need It
French law requires that the formation of any commercial company be publicly announced in a journal d’annonces lĂ©gales (JAL) a specialised legal gazette before registration can be completed. This is called the annonce lĂ©gale.
The announcement must include:
- Company name (denomination sociale)
- Legal form (SAS, SARL, etc.)
- Registered address
- Share capital amount
- Company purpose (objet social)
- Duration of the company (usually 99 years)
- Name and details of the Président/Gérant
- Greffe jurisdiction
Cost: EUR 150–250 depending on the department and the length of your notice. Online platforms like LegalStart, LegalPlace, or Infogreffe can handle this quickly and affordably.
After publication, you receive an attestation de parution (proof of publication), which you submit along with your other documents to the Guichet Unique.
Realistic Timeline & Costs
Timeline
| Step | Duration |
|---|---|
| Drafting statuts & document preparation | 3–7 days |
| Opening capital deposit account & depositing funds | 3–10 days |
| Publishing annonce légale | 1–2 days |
| Submitting on Guichet Unique | 1 day |
| Greffe processing & RCS registration | 5–10 business days |
| Total (typical) | 2–4 weeks |
Registration Costs (Approximate)
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Statuts drafting (lawyer/service) | EUR 300–1,500 |
| Annonce légale publication | EUR 150–250 |
| Greffe registration fee | EUR 37.45 |
| Domiciliation (annual) | EUR 360–1,200 |
| Document translation (apostille) | EUR 100–300 |
| Total (DIY minimum) | EUR 650–2,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be physically present in France to register a company?
No. The entire process can be completed remotely, including document signing (via electronic signature), capital deposit (many online banks allow non-resident account opening), and Guichet Unique submission. A notary in France can also act on your behalf via a power of attorney.
Does my company need a French director?
No. A non-resident Indian can be the sole Président (SAS) or Gérant (SARL) of a French company. However, if you wish to work physically in France, you will need an appropriate visa (see our France Visa Guide).
Can I use an Indian company as the shareholder of a French company?
Yes, an Indian company (private limited, LLP, etc.) can hold shares in a French SAS. This is a common structure for Indian businesses establishing a French subsidiary. For SARL, the GĂ©rant must be an individual, but an Indian company can still be the shareholder.
What is the APE/NAF code?
The APE (ActivitĂ© Principale ExercĂ©e) or NAF code is a 5-character code assigned by INSEE to classify your company’s principal business activity. It’s based on the French classification system (NACE). You’ll choose it during the Guichet Unique registration based on your company’s activities.
Is RCS registration mandatory?
Yes. The RCS (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés) is the French trade and companies register. All commercial companies (SAS, SARL, SA, etc.) must be registered in the RCS to legally exist and operate.
Conclusion
Registering a company in France from India is entirely achievable and with the right preparation, it can be completed in 2–4 weeks. The key steps are: choosing the right structure (SAS for most Indian entrepreneurs), drafting your statuts, depositing capital, publishing your annonce légale, and filing through the INPI Guichet Unique portal.
France offers Indian businesses something few other EU countries can match: a EUR 1 minimum capital, 100% foreign ownership, access to the EU’s second-largest consumer market, and some of the most generous R&D tax credits in the world (see our France Tax Guide).