Setting Up a Business in France

Based in Paris. Service in Spanish.

Europe's second-largest economy, within reach of Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs

France is the second-largest economy in the European Union and one of the world’s leading destinations for foreign investment. For a Spanish-speaking entrepreneur, setting up in France means direct access to the European market, international credibility, and an operational base at the heart of the continent.

Since 2021, we have supported more than 50 entrepreneurs and companies from Spain, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Argentina in setting up in France. We know the system, the paperwork, and the deadlines, and we handle it all in Spanish.

More than 35 companies set up in France since 2021

“More than 35 companies set up in France for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs and businesses since 2021.”

35+
companies set up in France
Since 2021
supporting entrepreneurs from Spain, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Argentina

Three ways to establish a presence in France

Before incorporating a company, it is important to choose the legal structure best suited to your project. There are three main options:

Exploration

Representative Office

The simplest option for exploring the French market without commitment. It cannot sign contracts or invoice; its role is preparatory. It is not subject to corporate income tax.

Expansion

Branch

An extension of your parent company in France. It can trade commercially and sign contracts, but has no separate legal personality of its own. Its profits and losses are consolidated with the parent company.

Full establishment

Subsidiary (SAS or SARL)

The most comprehensive option. It is an independent legal entity governed by French law. It is the option most commonly used by Spanish-speaking companies seeking a long-term presence in France.

Our support covers everything from the initial consultation to a fully operational company, including preparing documentation, incorporating the company through the Guichet Unique (single business registration window), and getting the business up and running. We also act as legal representative when the company does not yet have local staff in France.

From the first consultation to an operational company

01

Initial consultation

We analyze your project, the type of activity, and the legal structure best suited to your goals in France.

02

Preparing documentation

Drafting the bylaws, securing a registered office address, and preparing all the documents required for incorporation.

03

Incorporation

Registration with the Guichet Unique and obtaining the SIRET number. We handle every step of the process on your behalf.

04

Launch

Opening a bank account and handling initial tax obligations so your company can operate from day one.

05

Ongoing support

Annual filings, corporate minutes, day-to-day legal advice, and a monthly fee for companies with ongoing needs.

Imagen

What no one tells you before you start

The most common mistakes we see among Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs who try to set up in France without legal advice:

Not studying the market before entering it. France has a business landscape and consumer habits very different from Spanish-speaking markets. Setting up without validating local demand is the costliest mistake.

Choosing the type of company without legal advice. SAS, SARL, auto-entrepreneur (sole trader)... Each structure carries different tax and operational implications. A decision made without context can shape the company's growth for years to come.

Ignoring tax-related red tape. The French tax system is complex and entirely in French. An error in filings can lead to avoidable penalties.

Our practice is dedicated to providing legal support to Spanish-speaking businesses in France. We know the system, the authorities, and the deadlines, and we don’t disappear once the paperwork is filed.

Spanish-speakers in Paris, your trusted lawyer in France

Our firm is based in Paris. This is not just a matter of geography: it means we know the French system from the inside, the relevant authorities, and the local practices that make a difference at every step.

And we do it in Spanish. For companies and investors from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Spain, or Peru, having a lawyer who is fluent in both French law and the language removes a real barrier in an already complex process.

We don’t disappear once the paperwork is filed. Our clients rely on us for tax obligations, corporate documentation, and day-to-day legal issues.

Physical presence in Paris with first-hand knowledge of the French legal and tax system
French-Spanish team with specific training in corporate and tax law
International associates in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay
2021

From Paris, in Spanish

Can a foreigner set up a company in France?

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Yes. EU citizens can do so freely. Non-EU citizens can also incorporate a company in France, but regulations require the legal representative to be a person with legal residence in the country. This is one of the aspects we handle directly for our clients.

What taxes does a company pay in France?

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It depends on the legal structure and revenue volume. The standard corporate income tax rate is 25%, with reduced rates for small and medium-sized enterprises.

How long does it take to set up a company in France?

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The process takes between two and four weeks from the time the documentation is completed.

What are the requirements for opening a company in France?

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A chosen legal form, a registered office address, drafted bylaws, deposited share capital, and registration with the Guichet Unique.

Is it difficult to set up a company in France without speaking French?

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French red tape is entirely in French. Without a lawyer who works in your language, the process becomes slow and prone to costly mistakes.

What is an SAS in France?

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It is the legal form most commonly used by foreign companies setting up in France. It offers great flexibility in its internal organization and requires no minimum share capital to incorporate. It is the structure we most frequently recommend to our Spanish-speaking clients.