France company registration: SAS capital deposit and the bank account
A French SAS can start with €1 of capital, but the capital must be deposited and certified before registration. The bank or notary holding it issues the certificate the registry needs.
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"France company registration" brings up "number", "check" and "documents" in Google's suggestions. For founders, the document that holds things up is often the capital deposit certificate.
The steps
- Draft and sign the articles (statuts).
- Deposit the cash capital with a bank, notary or the Caisse des dépôts.
- Receive the attestation de dépôt des fonds.
- Publish a legal notice of creation.
- File online through the guichet unique at INPI, including the beneficial owners declaration.
- The registry issues the Kbis and the SIREN.
- The depository releases the capital to the company's account.
Capital rules
| Form | Minimum | Paid at formation |
|---|---|---|
| SAS | €1 | At least half of cash contributions |
| SARL | €1 | At least a fifth of cash contributions |
The rest is paid within five years.
Founders abroad
Founders living outside France can create an SAS, but the deposit account and the bank may ask for in-person identification or certified documents. Start the deposit as soon as the articles are signed, since the registry will not proceed without the certificate.
After the Kbis
The company needs its working accounts: a euro account for URSSAF, taxes and suppliers, and whatever it needs for clients abroad.
Paying into France: the local rail
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | SEPA Instant Credit Transfer |
| Run by | European Payments Council scheme, run by each bank |
| Settlement | Under ten seconds, 24/7 |
| Published fee | By the EU Instant Payments Regulation, no more than the bank charges for a standard SEPA transfer |
Source: European Payments Council: SEPA Instant Credit Transfer. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.
Where Rivet fits
Rivet opens accounts for registered companies, so it fits after the Kbis, not for the capital deposit. Then it gives the SAS EUR and GBP details on Growth and USD on every plan, with payouts to 120+ countries. Check our eligibility list for French companies. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See best business bank account in France.
Questions people ask
How much capital does an SAS need?
There is no legal minimum; €1 is possible. Banks and partners may expect more as a sign of commitment.
Who can hold the capital deposit?
A bank, a notary or the Caisse des dépôts et consignations. Several online providers also handle deposits for companies in formation.
How do I register the company?
Online through the guichet unique des formalités d'entreprises at INPI, with the articles, the deposit certificate, the directors' documents and a declaration of beneficial owners.
When can the company use the money?
After registration, when the Kbis is issued and the depository releases the funds to the company's account.
Sources
Alexia compares the accounts, cards and payment tools companies weigh before they switch, and writes Rivet's market guides for founders in a specific country. Prices in Alexia's comparisons come from each provider's own pricing page on the date given in the article, rules come from the regulator or tax authority that sets them, and every source is listed at the end.
More from Alexia M. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
- france company registration
- sas capital deposit
- dépôt de capital
- kbis
- guichet unique
- inpi
