WORKING IN FRANCE - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette: France - page 213

SARL A minimum of 7,500 euros and 2-50

shareholders are required for this kind of
company. Shareholders' liability is limited to
individual contributions.

EURL Similar to the SARL, this allows the manager to

limit his liability to his individual contribution
while maintaining i nancial control.

SNC General partnerships require no minimum

capital and the partners have the status of
traders, but each is jointly and separately liable
for debts.

SA This is either a privately-owned or a fully

public company, with a minimum of 37,000
euros capital, at least seven shareholders and
no maximum. If it is fully public, the rules are
more strict.

Subsidiaries, Branches and Agencies
If you want to establish a subsidiary company of one
currently existing elsewhere, you also have some further
choices. The subsidiaries are autonomous legal entities,
economically dependent on the parent company. Their
managers must obtain a carte de commerçant étranger or a
carte de résidence , depending on their nationality. In some
cases, they must also i le a declaration of investment with
the Treasury Department before registering.
Your company can also set up an agency or branch in
France, for whose debts the company is totally liable. For
this, you must register with the Trade Register, provide
two certified copies of the company's Memorandum
and Articles of Association translated into French,
provide the name of the manager of the French branch
as well as the birth certii cate and French registration of
all personnel.
A liaison ofi ce is even more informal and registration
is not required, as long as you are only establishing
contacts, handling publicity and collecting information
in France.