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When setting up a business in France, regardless of your status, you must bear in mind the following:
If you are a natural person, you can choose the status of individual entrepreneur. This status, which is not expensive and easy to obtain, is particularly suited to activities involving little capital, with a very small operational risk (consultancy business) and with revenues not exceeding €60,000 a year.
On the other hand, if as an individual entrepreneur you do not meet the above criteria, or if you are a foreign company wishing to become established in France, it is preferable to incorporate a company. Such a solution allows a full separation between the equity of the latter and that of its shareholder(s). Thus you will only be liable for up to the amount you have contributed. For individuals, the company limits among other things the mandatory charges and it preserves the company’s equity, and hence that of its partner(s) or shareholder(s).
Foreign companies may choose to establish a branch. However, this solution is nearly always very costly in regulatory terms, and it does not even secure contributions, because the branch is not a legal entity separate from the company.
EU members wishing to establish a business in France are not subject to any restrictions, Non-EU members such as Americans must meet a number of conditions.