How much does company formation in France cost?
Company formation in France: statutory notice, registry fees and capital.
Your figures
The amount founders put in at launch.
Equipment, vehicle, goodwill: requires an auditor's report.
The result updates automatically.
Total formation cost
€477 : €1,852
Simplified joint-stock company (SAS)
Of which fixed administrative fees
€177
Belgian Official Gazette and CBE
Breakdown
- Private deedno notary for this legal form
- €0
- Statutory notice of incorporation
- €124 : €199
- Registration (registry and INPI)
- €53.16
- Capital deposit
- €0 : €100
- Financial plan drafted by a professional
- €300 : €1,500
- Total
- €477 : €1,852
Cash and timeline
Free account- Planned capital contribution
- •••••
- Cash to mobilise at launch
- •••••
- Typical time to registration
- •••••
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What you should know
- Minimum capital is symbolic (€1), but too little capital undermines banking credibility. Size it on the real start-up need, not on the legal minimum.
Company formation in France costs markedly less than in Belgium. The reason lies in the type of deed. In fact, an SAS, an SARL and their single-member variants use a private deed. No notary takes part, unless someone contributes real property.
The budget therefore rests on three items. First, the statutory notice. Second, the registration fees. Finally, if you take advice, the fees of an accountant or a legal platform.
Statutory notice and registration
The statutory notice has followed a flat rate since 2022. Its amount varies by legal form and département. It remains the heaviest compulsory fee.
Registration then goes through the single electronic formalities window. Registry fees stay modest. However, the beneficial-ownership declaration comes on top.
€1 of capital: lawful, not always wise
An SAS or an SARL can start with one euro of capital. Nothing forbids it, and many founders stop there.
Yet a banker, a commercial landlord or a large client reads that line first. Derisory capital against a cash-hungry activity sends the wrong signal. It also exposes the directors of the company if things go wrong. Instead, size it on the real start-up need, which the working capital calculator helps you estimate.
SAS or SARL: the real gap comes after company formation
Both forms show a very similar set-up budget. The real difference lies in the director's social status.
An SAS president falls under the assimilated-employee regime. Charges weigh far more, but cover improves. In contrast, an SARL majority manager falls under the self-employed regime.
At equal pay, the gap in charges often exceeds the whole company formation budget in year one. Therefore, weigh that choice before picking the legal form, not the price of the notice.
Company formation in France, step by step
First, draft the articles, with extra care for an SAS whose content stays largely free. Next, deposit the cash contributions for the new company. Then publish the statutory notice and file on the single window. Finally, the registry issues the Kbis one to two weeks after a complete file.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a notary for an SAS or an SARL?
No. These companies are formed by private deed. A notary is only required if you contribute real property to the capital.
What minimum capital does an SAS need?
One euro. There is no minimum for the SAS, SARL, SASU or EURL. Only the SA keeps a €37,000 minimum.
Can you handle company formation alone?
Yes, the formalities run online on the single window. Advice mainly pays off when drafting the articles of an SAS, which are largely free and therefore easy to get wrong.
How long does the Kbis take?
One to two weeks on average once a complete file is filed, varying by registry.
Informative calculators. The 2026 rates were cross-checked against public sources but have not yet been validated by an accountant. They change every year. These calculations are neither tax nor legal advice.