France – Branch

Introduction to setting up a branch in France

France has a relatively strong economy and there are advantages such as financial incentives for foreign investors establishing a branch there. The procedure is a fairly simple process comparable to establishing a company, but branch formation is a longer process due to the documentation and applications required.

What are the accounting requirements for a French Branch?

The branch must register with the Tax Authorities to obtain a VAT number for taxation purposes. VAT returns should be filed monthly and tax returns filed annually.

The parent company must annually file the liabilities and assets budgeted to the branch with the Court of Commerce. The branch is required to keep its own records.

A French bank account is advised, but not required, as payments from abroad are charged by the French Tax Authorities.

What are the formalities regarding French branches?

– A registered address
– A copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the parent company
– A copy of the parent company’s Certificate of Incorporation
– A document appointing a French branch representative – if non EU special state authorisation is required

The requirements listed above are needed by the Commercial Court in order to register the branch.

All documentation must be officially notarised and translated into French by a translator.

What office facilities are available when registering a branch?

There are two main types of office available in France:
– Virtual offices maintain the business professionalism of a physical office through off-site communication such as telephone, fax and mail forwarding
– Serviced offices are ready for immediate occupation and include all the required business facilities

Taxes

A summary of French Corporate Taxes is available here.

We will handle every aspect of the branch formation for you. Using our expert knowledge we can offer a branch formation package in which we take care of branch registration, issue of the certificates of registration, local directors, local representative and place of business in France, tax registration, VAT registration, and translation of documents into French.

Our unique one stop solution for all European formation requirements also offers formation packages to set up multiple branches. The benefits for establishing multiple branches include further increased exposure and global presence, and we can organise everything for you.

A summary of French Corporate Taxes is available here.