Company Filing Requirements in France

Legal requirement to file annual accounts

French accounting is regulated. The law gives details about the accounting and financial information that the company has to establish and publish. Each year, companies must produce:

• a balance sheet
• a profit and loss account
• and annexes which have to be published to the Register of Commerce.

The control of accounts is compulsory and must be made by an external "reviser" of the company. This reviser has to respect the main accounting rules issued by the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC). The Chartered Accountants Association and the National Auditors Company represent France to the IASC.

French company registration and licensing procedures

To set up a business in France, certain formalities are required. Concerning the drawing up of status, a search for anteriority with the INPI is advised to check that the company's registered name is not being used.

Types of companies registered in France

Form	Number of partners/ shareholders	Minimum and/or maximum capital	Liability	Release of financial documents
The "entreprise individuelle" is a Sole Proprietorship.	1 person	No notion of capital.	The entrepreneur is liable for the company debts on his personal assets.	No
La Société à responsabilité limitée (SARL) is a Private Limited Company	Minimum 2 partners. Maximum 50 partners.	A minimum of 7,500 € is required but only 20% must be released at the incorporation and the rest within 5 years	Liability is limited to the amount contributed.	Yes
The EURL is Sole Proprietorship Private Limited Company	1 person	A minimum of 7,500 € is required but only 20% must be released at the set-up and the remainder within 5 years	Liability is limited to the amount contributed.	Yes
La Societe Anonyme (SA) is a Public Limited Company	Minimum 7 shareholders	Minimum 37,000 € and release of at least 50% at the set up and the remainder within 5 years.	Liability is limited to the amount contributed.	Yes
La Societe civile par actions simplifiée is a joint-stock company simplified.	1 person, personal or professional body	Minimum 37,000 € and release of at least 50% at the set up and the remainder within 5 years.	Liability is limited to the amount contributed.	Yes
La Societe en Nom Collectif (SNC) is a General Partnership.	Minimum 2 partners.	No minimum capital.	Partners' liability is several and indefinite.	No
La Societe en Commandite par actions is a Partnership Limited by Shares	Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners.	No minimum capital.	Active partners' liability is indefinite and several. Liability of sleeping partners is limited to the amount contributed.	N/A
Civil Company.	Minimum 2 partners.	No minimum capital.	Members are jointly liable for social debts.	No