Business in france
ARE YOU LOOKING TO SET UP A NEW BUSINESS IN FRANCE?
France is a country that loves its entrepreneurs — but it also loves structure, clarity and regulation. For anyone moving to France or starting fresh, understanding the different ways you can legally set yourself up in business is essential. Whether you dream of becoming an artisan builder in a rural village, launching a consultancy from your home office, or running a company with employees, France offers a range of structures that suit every level of ambition and complexity.
The “Artisan” Status
In France, the word artisan carries real cultural weight. A registered artisan is more than just a tradesperson — they are part of a protected professional tradition.
✔ Who qualifies?
Artisan status applies to hands-on, skilled trades such as:
- Builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians
- Carpenters and woodworkers
- Bakers, butchers, chocolatiers
- Hairdressers, beauticians
- Auto mechanics, metalworkers
✔ To register as an artisan, you must:
- Carry out manual work as the core of your business
- Register with the Chambre de Métiers et de l’Artisanat (CMA)
- Hold certain qualifications (e.g., CAP, BEP) or demonstrate experience
✔ Lifestyle & tax notes
- A great structure for practical, skilled expats moving into rural France
- Local clients often prefer registered artisans with insurance (RC Pro + Décennale for builders)
- Social contributions are stable but can be high if turnover grows
- It brings instantly recognisable credibility in the community
Ideal for: Hands-on professionals wanting to work locally with French clients.
Micro-Entreprise
The micro-entreprise is the most attractive option for many expats: extremely simple to create, easy to manage, and perfect for side businesses or one-person operations.
✔ Key Features:
- Minimal paperwork
- Flat-rate social charges based on revenue
- No obligation to employ an accountant
✔Maximum turnover thresholds (2025 figures):
- €77,700 for services-
- €188,700 for sales / accommodation
✔ Who is it ideal for?
- Consultants
- Freelancers (writing, marketing, graphic design)
- Online sellers
- Holiday rental owners
- Small trades and services
✔ Advantages/Limitations:
- Register online in minutes
- You only pay contributions on what you earn
- Simple quarterly or monthly declarations
- You cannot deduct business expenses
- Not suitable for large investments or stock-heavy businesses
- Turnover ceilings can restrict growth
Ideal for: Beginners, lifestyle entrepreneurs, early retirees, testers of a new idea.
Entreprise Individuelle (EI)
The Entreprise Individuelle is similar to being a sole trader in the UK — but with French legal protections for personal assets.
✔ Key Features:
- You and the business are the same legal entity
- Personal home is automatically protected from creditors
- You declare income under the personal tax system
- Suitable for industries needing a little more structure than a micro-entreprise
✔ Advantages:
- No turnover limit
- Administrative simplicity
- Can deduct expenses
- Often used by artisans or professionals once they outgrow micro-enterprise status
✔ Disadvantages:
- Still personally liable for debts (except your home)
- Social charges can be substantial
Ideal for: Established artisans, consultants, and service professionals wanting a step above micro-enterprise without the formality of a company.
EURL
The Entreprise Unipersonnelle à Responsabilité Limitée (EURL) is the one-person version of a SARL. It's a limited company where you are the only shareholder.
✔ Key features:
- Limited liability
- You can choose to be taxed in two ways: Income tax (IR) or Corporation tax (IS)
✔ Advantages:
- Suitable for larger or growing businesses
- Allows hiring employees
- Professional credibility
- Protection of personal assets
✔ Disadvantages:
- More paperwork than EI or micro-entreprise
- Requires a bank account and formal accounts
- Accounting costs
Ideal for: Growing businesses with investment needs or long-term plans.
SARL
The Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL) is one of the most common company types in France and resembles a UK limited company.
✔ Key features:
- For 2 to 100 shareholders
- Strongly regulated — ideal for family businesses
✔ Managers (gérants) can be:
- Majority-gérant (pays social charges through SSI)
- Minority or equal gérant (pays social charges like an employee)
✔ Advantages:
- Solid structure for serious businesses
- Good for employing staff and long-term plans
- Good liability protection
✔ Disadvantages:
- Administrative requirements higher
- Formal annual accounts
- Social charges for gérants can be high
Ideal for: Family businesses, serious commercial projects, shops, gîtes complexes, or companies with multiple owners.
SAS / SASU
The SAS (for multiple shareholders) and SASU (single shareholder) are the most flexible and modern French company structures. They are increasingly preferred by entrepreneurs, especially in tech, online business, consulting, and international activities.
✔ Key features:
- President (the director) is treated like an employee for social charges
- Extremely flexible statutes
- Limited liability
- Minimum €1 capital
✔ Advantages:
- Best social protection for the director (like an employee)
- Very flexible profit-sharing and governance
- Attractive to investors
- Ideal for international clients
✔ Disadvantages:
- Higher social charges
- More expensive to run than a micro-entreprise
Ideal for: Consultants, digital entrepreneurs, international businesses, and those planning serious growth.
Choosing the Right Structure: A Practical Summary
