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Fact sheet : run a company in France

Thématiques

Visa, staying, working Residence-permit Startup founders

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To engage in a commercial, industrial or craft activity for more than 3 months in France, any national of a non-Member State of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland must apply for a residence permit.

 

The type of residence permit applicable will vary depending on whether you are the head of your Group’s French subsidiary, an entrepreneur or a start-upper.

 

 Helpful tips: Certain professions are referred to as “regulated” and require specific diplomas. Feel free to request information sufficiently in advance.

 

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DIfferent residence permits

Audience Eligibility criteria Residence permit issued Duration of residence permit
Company directors or legal representatives Company directors must provide evidence of:
  • Three months’ service in an establishment or business belonging to the same group, as an employee or company director.
  • Gross annual pay of at least three times the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e. €64,864.80 as of November 1, 2024.
  • Their appointment as legal representative of an establishment or company established in France.
    		 Talent - "Company director" multi-year residence permit Up to 4 years, renewable
    Company founders Company founders must provide evidence of:
    • A qualification corresponding to a master’s degree or equivalent, or at least five years’ commensurate professional experience.
    • Existence of a real and serious plan to form an economically viable business in France.
    • An investment of at least €30,000 in the planned business.
    • Sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e. €21,621.60 as of November 1, 2024
    		Talent - "New Business" multi-year residence permit Up to 4 years, renewable
    Startup founders Startup founders must provide evidence of:
    • An innovative business project they want to develop in France.
    • Recognition of the project by a public-sector body (central government, local authorities, public institutions, public corporation, etc.) ;
    • Sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e. €21,621.60 as of November 1, 2024
      • The startup founder can also apply for this Talent passport through the French Tech Visa for Founders procedure under some conditions.
      		Talent - "Innovative business project" multi-year residence permit Up to 4 years, renewable
      Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs must provide evidence of:
      • an activity compatible with public safety, health and order requirements;
      • an activity economically viable and, if he/she joins an existing company, its capacity to pay himself/herself sufficient remuneration (at least equal to the minimum wage, i.e. €21,621.60 as of November 1, 2024)
      		“Entrepreneur/Self-Employed” residence permit One year, renewable
      Company founders of Algerian nationality Algerian nationals enjoy a derogatory migratory status. To direct a company in France, they must apply for a long-stay visa for merchants, craftspersons, industrialists or the self-employed and, as the case may be, from the Trade and Companies Register or the Trades Register or a professional order. Certificate of residence Non-salaried profession One year, renewable

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