Setting up a subsidiary in France takes time, resources, and a clear understanding of local legal and tax requirements. This complexity can slow your hiring plans and lead candidates to explore other opportunities.
G-P offre un'alternativa. Invece di seguire il percorso tradizionale delle filiali in Francia, possiamo accelerare il tuo ingresso, non sono necessarie nuove entità, in modo da poter iniziare le operazioni in pochi minuti anziché mesi.
Come aprire una società sussidiaria in Francia
A subsidiary (filiale) is a separate legal entity. It’s owned by a parent company but operates independently, with its own legal identity, assets, and liabilities. The subsidiary is responsible for complying with French laws, including tax, accounting, and employment regulations. The parent company’s liability is generally limited to its investment in the subsidiary. This is the default rule, not an absolute shield, and exceptions may apply for guarantees, abuse, asset or management confusion, direct misconduct, insolvency issues, or duty of vigilance obligations.
Before you set up a subsidiary company in France, identify the type of entity you need. Most international companies choose a private limited-liability company (société à responsabilité limitée, or SARL) or a simplified joint-stock company (société par actions simplifiée, or SAS).
Companies with one shareholder can set up an entreprise unipersonnelle à responsabilité limitée (EURL), the single-member form of a SARL. The shareholder’s liability is generally limited to their contributions., which translates to "single-member limited liability company."
Società privata a responsabilità limitata (SARL)
Le SARL hanno un quadro giuridico rigido con molte regole stabilite dalla legge. I SARL devono avere:
- Shareholders: 1–100 shareholders. A single-shareholder SARL is commonly called an EURL.
- Capital: At least EUR 1 in share capital for a SARL. Share capital is set in the articles of association and may be cash or in-kind contributions.
- Management: One or more individual managers (gérants). A legal entity cannot be appointed as the SARL’s gérant.
Società per azioni semplificata (SAS)
Un SAS francese è generalmente più facile da configurare e gestire. È popolare tra gli investitori globali perché offre flessibilità nel modo in cui l'azienda viene gestita e organizzata. Devono avere:
- Shareholders: At least one shareholder. A single-shareholder SAS is commonly called a SASU.
- Capital: At least EUR 1 in share capital.
- Management: A president, who may be an individual or a legal entity.
Filiale vs. società sussidiaria
A branch (succursale) is a parent company’s local office. A branch (succursale) is not a separate legal entity from its parent company. The parent company is fully liable for the branch’s activities, debts, contractual obligations, employment obligations, tax liabilities, and other legal commitments in France. A branch isn’t a separate legal entity — it’s an extension of the parent company. A branch must register with French authorities and comply with local regulations.
La creazione di una società sussidiaria o di una filiale dipende dai tuoi obiettivi aziendali. Una società sussidiaria può proteggere la tua azienda principale dai rischi in Francia, ma i costi di manutenzione elevati e i requisiti burocratici si sommano rapidamente.
Una filiale è un'estensione della tua azienda principale in Francia. È più facile ed economico da creare, ma la tua azienda principale è legalmente responsabile di tutto ciò che fa la filiale.
Fasi per costituire una società sussidiaria in Francia:
- Draft articles of association: Prepare and sign the company’s bylaws (statuts), which define its purpose, how it’ll be run, and how it’ll operate.
- Deposit share capital: Open a corporate bank account in France and deposit the initial share capital. The bank will issue a certificate of deposit (certificat de dépôt des fonds) needed for registration.
- Secure an address: You must have a registered physical address in France. This can be achieved through a commercial lease, a domiciliation company, or by buying property.
- Publish a notice of incorporation: A notice with information about the new company must be published in an authorized legal journal or online legal notices service (Journal d’Annonces Légales, or JAL).
- Apply online: Submit all completed documents through the official Guichet unique des formalités des entreprises online portal, operated by INPI. The documents must include the articles of association, certificate of capital deposit, proof of address, JAL publication notice, and details about the managers or directors.
- Get registered: Once approved, your company will be registered with the Trade and Companies Register (Registre du commerce et des sociétés, RCS), and you’ll receive a Kbis extract, which is the official document that proves a company’s legal existence and registration in France.
Leggi e requisiti sussidiari in Francia
Devi soddisfare diverse leggi e requisiti per costituire una società sussidiaria in Francia:
- Management: A gérant or president generally does not have to be a resident of France. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who will live or work in France may need appropriate immigration and work authorization.
- Statutory auditor: France subsidiaries (SAS or SARL) need a statutory auditor (commissaire aux comptes) if the company exceeds two of the following thresholds: EUR 5 million in total balance sheet, EUR 10 million in net turnover, or an average of 50 employees.
- Taxation: Subsidiaries pay corporate income tax. Dividends paid to a non-resident parent company are generally subject to 25% withholding tax, unless reduced or exempt under a tax treaty or applicable EU rules. This can be reduced or removed under double tax treaties or the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive, which prevent the same profits from being taxed twice.
- Reporting: Companies generally file annual financial statements each year. SARLs and SASs usually file approved annual accounts with the commercial court registry. They must also comply with social security and other administrative requirements.
Vantaggi delle filiali in Francia
- Local presence: Establishing a subsidiary gives you a formal, recognized presence in France, which can boost credibility with clients, partners, and authorities.
- Market access: Subsidiaries give you easier access to France and EU markets.
- Legal separation: The subsidiary is a separate legal entity, so the parent company’s liability is limited to its investment in the subsidiary, protecting the parent’s assets.
- Talent acquisition: Having a subsidiary lets you hire employees directly using France employment contracts, which can help attract local talent.
- Tax benefits: Subsidiaries may benefit from local tax incentives or treaties, depending on their activities and structure.
Svantaggi delle filiali francesi
- Complex setup: Subsidiaries involve administrative steps, legal documentation, and compliance with corporate law.
- Ongoing compliance: Staying compliant with France’s accounting, tax, and employment regulations is a full-time job.
- Costs: Subsidiaries come with higher startup and ongoing costs for legal, accounting, and operational support.
- Management requirements: Although directors don’t have to be French residents, local expertise is often needed for compliance.
- Winding down: Closing a subsidiary is time-consuming and costly due to France’s legal and administrative requirements.
Alternativa alla creazione di una società sussidiaria in Francia
G-P permette di assumere talento in pochi minuti senza la complicazione di configurare un'entità. I vantaggi dell'utilizzo di un datore di lavoro di record (Datore di lavoro di registro) in Francia includono:
- Faster market entry: An EOR lets you onboard talent immediately without the lengthy process of setting up a legal entity. Setting up a subsidiary can take months due to regulatory, banking, and administrative requirements.
- Compliance assurance: Employment laws in France are complex and protect employees. An EOR ensures compliance with the Code du Travail (Labor Code), collective bargaining agreements (conventions collectives), payroll regulations, tax withholdings, and statutory benefits.
- Cost efficiency: Setting up and maintaining SARLs has major upfront and ongoing costs, including legal fees, accounting, local management, and administrative overhead. An EOR is more cost-effective, especially if you’re hiring a small team or testing the market in France.
- Administrative simplicity: With an EOR, you don’t have to worry about the administrative burden of managing payroll, mandatory social contributions, tax filings, and HR compliance. The EOR handles all of this, so you can focus on your business.
- Flexibility: An EOR arrangement is easier to scale up or down compared to a subsidiary.
- Risk mitigation: An EOR manages the legal risks associated with employment, such as worker classification, giving you an added layer of protection.
Entra in nuovi mercati con G-P: non sono necessarie nuove entità
Costituire una società sussidiaria o entità giuridica in Francia è costoso e richiede molto tempo. G-P Employer of Record ti permette di assumere talento in pochi minuti senza le complicazioni e le difficoltà di una società sussidiaria.
Richiedete oggi stesso una proposta per saperne di più sui nostri prodotti globali per la gestione del personale e sulle soluzioni Employer of Record.
