Your French Company, Properly Structured from the Start
Lanop takes care of the tax analysis, entity formation, and French banking preparation so your S.A.S. or S.A.R.L. is commercially ready from the moment it goes live.
- UK and French tax exposure reviewed in parallel
- French bank readiness pack built during formation
- Entity choice grounded in your trading model (S.A.S., S.A.R.L., or Branch)
Three Reasons France Deserves Serious Consideration
1. France Is One of Europe's Largest and Most Accessible Markets
With a population of 68 million and deep commercial infrastructure across manufacturing, tech, food and drink, and professional services, France gives registered businesses direct access to clients, partners, and procurement pipelines that are simply not reachable from outside the EU.
2. The Tax Framework Rewards Businesses That Plan Ahead
A 15% reduced corporate tax rate applies to the first €42,500 of profit for qualifying SMEs. The CVAE levy is being abolished in full by 2030. France’s network of over 120 double tax treaties covers virtually every major trading relationship a UK business is likely to have.
3. French Registration Opens Doors That UK Brands Currently Find Closed
Post-Brexit, a French-registered entity restores what many UK businesses lost: a recognised EU legal presence, credibility with European procurement teams, and the ability to hire, invoice, and contract locally without the friction that comes with being an overseas supplier.
Key Compliance Requirements Every Founder Should Understand Before Filing
Lanop works through each of these with you before a single document reaches the Greffe.
From First Instruction to Fully Operational: How the Process Works
A structured, four-phase approach covering every step from initial planning through to active trading.
France vs the UK: What Changes When You Operate Across Both
Operating From France
20%
Standard TVA Rate
- 120+ double tax treaties in force
- Full EU single market access restored
- CVAE being abolished entirely by 2030
- 25% IS rate with a 15% reduced rate for qualifying SMEs on first €42,500
Operating From The UK Only
25%
Standard Corporate Tax Rate
- Post-Brexit barrier to EU procurement and contracting
- No equivalent SME reduced rate at the same threshold
- Growing friction for UK-only suppliers in European sales cycles
- Increasing documentation burden for cross-border EU transactions
Everything Included in Lanop'French Formation Service
S.A.S. or S.A.R.L
Understanding Which Structure Fits
How Lanop Works Through a French Company Setup
01
Planning and Preparation
Phase 1 Includes
- Choosing between S.A.S., S.A.R.L., or Branch Office
- Confirming share capital, shareholders, and director setup
- Selecting the correct APE code for your activity
- Reviewing UK management and control risk before filing
- Securing your French domiciliation address
YOU RECEIVE:
A written formation plan, full document checklist, and clear cost breakdown before any work begins.
02
Formation and Official Registration
Phase 2 Includes
- Apostille and certified translation of UK corporate documents
- Statuts drafting and expert-comptable coordination
- Greffe filing and BODACC legal notice publication
- SIREN, SIRET, and TVA number obtained before first invoice
- French fiscal identification secured for all foreign shareholders
YOU RECEIVE:
Kbis extract, registered statuts, SIREN and SIRET confirmation, and your active French TVA number.
03
Post-Incorporation and Operations
Phase 3 Includes
- French corporate bank account opened with full KYC file
- Factur-X e-invoicing set up through a certified Plateforme Agreee
- Bookkeeping framework and liasse fiscale calendar established
- URSSAF registration for directors and employees receiving French remuneration
- Ongoing IS, TVA, CFE, and Greffe compliance managed
YOU RECEIVE:
A fully operational French company with banking, invoicing, and compliance foundations in place and ready to trade.
Is France the
Right Fit for Your Startup?
FAQs: Setting Up a Business in France from the UK
Will moving to France automatically end my UK tax residency?
No. The UK Statutory Residence Test requires more than simply moving abroad to exit UK tax residency, and France can simultaneously assert fiscal domicile through its own four-criteria test. Lanop reviews both positions together before you make any move.
Can my UK limited company hold 100% of a French S.A.S. or S.A.R.L.?
Yes. France imposes no restriction on full foreign corporate ownership. The UK parent must obtain its own French fiscal identification before the Greffe can process the formation, which Lanop handles during the pre-formation phase.
What happens if I continue making key decisions about the French company from the UK?
If the important decisions are taken in the UK, HMRC could claim the French entity is UK tax resident in accordance with the management and control rules. To minimise this risk, Lanop deals with governance documentation from the start.
Why do French banks turn down applications from UK-owned companies?
Most rejections come down to documentation gaps rather than the business itself. Incomplete beneficial ownership records, an APE code that does not match the stated activity, and a vague source-of-funds explanation are the three most common causes. Lanop addresses these during the pre-application phase.
Does a UK director have to be a French resident to open a French business account?
Not strictly, but having at least one director with French fiscal registration significantly accelerates the process. Most French banks require an in-person visit from an authorised signatory. Lanop advises on the right signatory setup for your specific bank target.
What documentation do French banks need to verify the source of funds?
Certified UK company accounts, bank statements showing the origin of share capital, and a clear explanation of the business history are the core of what banks look for. The documents must tell a consistent story. Lanop packages them in the format French compliance teams expect.
How long does it take to form a French S.A.S. or S.A.R.L.?
From statuts drafting to SIREN confirmation, the core process typically takes ten to fifteen working days. Apostille and translation of UK documents and French fiscal identification for foreign directors are the steps that add time. Lanop runs these in parallel to keep the timeline tight.
What is a micro-entreprise and is it an option for a UK company?
A micro-entreprise is available only to individual natural persons, not corporate entities. A UK limited company cannot use this structure. For any UK-owned French business, an S.A.S. or S.A.R.L. is the appropriate route.
Is physical presence in France required to complete the formation?
Not necessarily. A pouvoir (power of attorney) allows a representative in France to sign on your behalf. Bank account opening almost always requires at least one in-person visit. Lanop advises precisely when your presence is needed.
