Expand your business to France — with confidence
Entering the French market is a significant opportunity — but France has its own legal landscape, employment rules, and regulatory requirements. Our bilingual counsel guides you through every step, from entity formation to day-one operations.
Book a discovery callChoose the right legal structure
France offers several corporate structures. The choice impacts liability, governance, taxation, and fundraising. We advise UK and international companies on selecting the right vehicle for their French operations.
- SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) — flexible governance, popular with startups and scale-ups
- SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée) — closer to a UK Ltd, suited for SMEs and family businesses
- Branch office or subsidiary — we help you decide which structure best fits your risk and operational profile
SAS vs SARL — at a glance
| SAS | SARL | |
|---|---|---|
| Min. share capital | €1 | €1 |
| Governance flexibility | High | Moderate |
| Investor-friendly | Yes | Limited |
| Preferred by | Tech/startups | SMEs |
French employment law is different — be ready
France has strong employee protections and mandatory procedures. Understanding CDI vs CDD contracts, probation periods, and collective agreements is essential before your first hire.
CDI & CDD Contracts
Permanent (CDI) and fixed-term (CDD) employment contracts — drafting, review, and compliance.
Probation & Termination
Mandatory probation periods, valid grounds for dismissal, and severance obligations.
Collective Agreements
Identifying applicable branch-level agreements (conventions collectives) and their impact on salary floors.
Social Security & Payroll
French social contributions, mandatory benefits, and reporting obligations.
GDPR in France: CNIL specifics
- →CNIL is France's data protection authority — more active than most EU counterparts
- →Cookie consent rules are strictly enforced (ePrivacy directive implementation)
- →HR data processing has specific requirements under French law
- →Data transfers between UK and France require post-Brexit transfer mechanisms
Data protection compliance in France
Operating in France means complying with both EU GDPR and France-specific CNIL requirements. We ensure your data processing activities, privacy policies, and cross-border data flows are compliant from day one.
For UK companies post-Brexit, data transfers to France (and the EU) require appropriate safeguards — we implement the right mechanisms for your business model.
Contracts that work under French law
French contract law has distinct rules on unfair terms, liability caps, and pre-contractual obligations. We draft and review contracts that protect your interests in French courts.
Supplier & Vendor Agreements
Bilingual contracts with French suppliers, including liability frameworks and dispute resolution clauses.
Distribution & Agency
French commercial agency law is protective — we structure agreements that balance flexibility and compliance.
Customer T&Cs
French CGV (Conditions Générales de Vente) compliant with consumer and B2B regulations.
Ready to expand to France?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call with our bilingual counsel. We'll map out your French expansion timeline and the key legal steps.
Book a free call