Starting a business in France
Dec 16th 2015, 4:40 pm
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,888
Starting a business in France
Portail officiel des auto-entrepreneurs
Additions welcome!!
P.S. The last time I did this, the thread entered the FAQs by magic!
Additions welcome!!
P.S. The last time I did this, the thread entered the FAQs by magic!
Dec 17th 2015, 6:37 am
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
re: Starting a business in France
https://www.apce.com/pid186/espace-c....html?espace=1 - sets out the 10 steps in the official French blueprint of 'how to start a successful business'. No.7 explains the different types of business set up but there is lots of good info if you have time to read the whole thing section by sections, most questions are answered.
Auto-entrepreneur : la Fédération des auto-entrepreneurs | Fédération autoentrepreneur - for micro entreprises - a good site to keep an eye on to keep up to date with changes (click on the spots to see the different news topics)
Auto-entrepreneur : la Fédération des auto-entrepreneurs | Fédération autoentrepreneur - for micro entreprises - a good site to keep an eye on to keep up to date with changes (click on the spots to see the different news topics)
Dec 17th 2015, 6:47 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2009
Location: Lot et Garonne
Posts: 576
re: Starting a business in France
My wife just did this, now paid out more in fee's than she has earnt.
Last edited by loy loy; Dec 17th 2015 at 7:28 am.
Dec 17th 2015, 7:11 am
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
re: Starting a business in France
I'm sure she's not alone in that.
Which is why it can be a very good idea to plough through the entire APCE page.
I would like to see a comment added to the sticky to the effect that having a good business head, understanding how things work and actively structuring your business so as to maximise the advantages and minimise the disadvantages of whatever regime you choose, ie managing the business side of things and knowing what to expect, is almost more important than being good at your actual 'activity'. But it's hard to say that without making it sound condescending or off-putting.
Which is why it can be a very good idea to plough through the entire APCE page.
I would like to see a comment added to the sticky to the effect that having a good business head, understanding how things work and actively structuring your business so as to maximise the advantages and minimise the disadvantages of whatever regime you choose, ie managing the business side of things and knowing what to expect, is almost more important than being good at your actual 'activity'. But it's hard to say that without making it sound condescending or off-putting.
Dec 17th 2015, 7:23 am
#5
Hostage Negotiator
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,173
re: Starting a business in France
On a more serious note, there should something about subsequently closing down the French-registered business which you started.
It's not enough that you don't want to do it any more, or are ill or retiring or even that it is losing money - it is actually extremely difficult, very time-consuming, takes years to complete, requires numerous visits to the Tribunal and the actual winding-up costs money.
There is no such thing as limited liability in the way it exists in the UK; the gerant remains liable for much of the social debt which continues to accumulate during the period that the business is still technically active.
Rant over!
It's not enough that you don't want to do it any more, or are ill or retiring or even that it is losing money - it is actually extremely difficult, very time-consuming, takes years to complete, requires numerous visits to the Tribunal and the actual winding-up costs money.
There is no such thing as limited liability in the way it exists in the UK; the gerant remains liable for much of the social debt which continues to accumulate during the period that the business is still technically active.
Rant over!
Dec 17th 2015, 7:59 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
re: Starting a business in France
On a more serious note, there should something about subsequently closing down the French-registered business which you started.
It's not enough that you don't want to do it any more, or are ill or retiring or even that it is losing money - it is actually extremely difficult, very time-consuming, takes years to complete, requires numerous visits to the Tribunal and the actual winding-up costs money.
It's not enough that you don't want to do it any more, or are ill or retiring or even that it is losing money - it is actually extremely difficult, very time-consuming, takes years to complete, requires numerous visits to the Tribunal and the actual winding-up costs money.
Other types of business are as you say more complex, so yes, another reason to start as a micro until you're sure you have a go-er.
Last edited by EuroTrash; Dec 17th 2015 at 8:07 am.
Dec 17th 2015, 8:03 am
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,888
re: Starting a business in France
On a more serious note, there should something about subsequently closing down the French-registered business which you started.
It's not enough that you don't want to do it any more, or are ill or retiring or even that it is losing money - it is actually extremely difficult, very time-consuming, takes years to complete, requires numerous visits to the Tribunal and the actual winding-up costs money.
There is no such thing as limited liability in the way it exists in the UK; the gerant remains liable for much of the social debt which continues to accumulate during the period that the business is still technically active.
Rant over!
It's not enough that you don't want to do it any more, or are ill or retiring or even that it is losing money - it is actually extremely difficult, very time-consuming, takes years to complete, requires numerous visits to the Tribunal and the actual winding-up costs money.
There is no such thing as limited liability in the way it exists in the UK; the gerant remains liable for much of the social debt which continues to accumulate during the period that the business is still technically active.
Rant over!
Which reminds me that, self-employed and ex-Gérants aren't entitled to Dole Money. Something to take into account in advance if there are doubts as to the business venture's success.
Dec 17th 2015, 8:04 am
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
re: Starting a business in France
For new micros, personal property is now automatically protected from business debts:
https://www.service-public.fr/profes...ualites/008247
If the business was set up before April 2015 and you want to protect your personal property, you need to have this recorded through a notaire (a simple procedure I think, but not free).
Last edited by EuroTrash; Dec 17th 2015 at 8:13 am.
Dec 17th 2015, 10:46 am
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Halfway between Ricard & Absynthe
Posts: 4,291
re: Starting a business in France
What a mine of great information here! And what a nightmare associated with setting up and closing a business! A quick Google shows that micro entreprises are still feeling the full brunt of the poor economy, with well over 16000 businesses going bankrupt in the third quarter 2014. In other words the economic recovery, as promised by Flamby has yet to happen.
Dec 19th 2015, 6:57 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2015
Location: Molenbeek - about to relocate to Hendaye
Posts: 123
Dec 19th 2015, 7:04 pm
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2015
Location: Molenbeek - about to relocate to Hendaye
Posts: 123
re: Starting a business in France
I'm sure she's not alone in that.
Which is why it can be a very good idea to plough through the entire APCE page.
I would like to see a comment added to the sticky to the effect that having a good business head, understanding how things work and actively structuring your business so as to maximise the advantages and minimise the disadvantages of whatever regime you choose, ie managing the business side of things and knowing what to expect, is almost more important than being good at your actual 'activity'. But it's hard to say that without making it sound condescending or off-putting.
Which is why it can be a very good idea to plough through the entire APCE page.
I would like to see a comment added to the sticky to the effect that having a good business head, understanding how things work and actively structuring your business so as to maximise the advantages and minimise the disadvantages of whatever regime you choose, ie managing the business side of things and knowing what to expect, is almost more important than being good at your actual 'activity'. But it's hard to say that without making it sound condescending or off-putting.
I think there's much truth in that. I had a soft entry into the NL with an accountant recommended to me by neighbours. Here in France I am 'swimming in the dark'. As my turnover does go above 32.9K on alternate years I've decided its better to go down the SASU route. Anyone been there?
Dec 19th 2015, 7:12 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2015
Location: Molenbeek - about to relocate to Hendaye
Posts: 123
re: Starting a business in France
Lots of French acronyms here
[QUOTE=dmu;
my Sàrl,
the Expert-Comptable
URSSAF
The joys of being a Gérante....
[/QUOTE]
Please fill in the gaps...
thanks
[QUOTE=dmu;
my Sàrl,
the Expert-Comptable
URSSAF
The joys of being a Gérante....
[/QUOTE]
Please fill in the gaps...
thanks
Dec 19th 2015, 8:15 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
re: Starting a business in France
An SARL is a type of business structure, a bit like a Ltd Co I think but you'll find the details on the website I suggested ;-)
the Expert-Comptable is an accountant
URSSAF is the body that collects social security contributions https://www.urssaf.fr/portail/home.html
A Gérant/gérante is the director or manager of a company
the Expert-Comptable is an accountant
URSSAF is the body that collects social security contributions https://www.urssaf.fr/portail/home.html
A Gérant/gérante is the director or manager of a company
Dec 19th 2015, 8:17 pm
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
re: Starting a business in France
I think there's much truth in that. I had a soft entry into the NL with an accountant recommended to me by neighbours. Here in France I am 'swimming in the dark'. As my turnover does go above 32.9K on alternate years I've decided its better to go down the SASU route. Anyone been there?
Last edited by EuroTrash; Dec 19th 2015 at 8:20 pm.
Dec 19th 2015, 9:34 pm
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2015
Location: Molenbeek - about to relocate to Hendaye
Posts: 123
re: Starting a business in France