
France SARL vs SAS
Legal Entity Comparison
Time of Update: 2026-03-31
SARL is a legal entity in France, with the full name Société à Responsabilité Limitée, abbreviated as SARL. It is a type of company with limited liability and a mixed ownership structure. SARL does not publicly participate in the market, thus it does not need to publicly issue shares. According to French law, SARL needs at least one shareholder at the time of establishment. In addition, SARL also requires at least one director to manage company affairs. Unlike companies in other countries, SARL can have directors from any nationality and does not require a local person to be appointed. Furthermore, SARL does not need to designate a legal representative or have a company secretary. The minimum registered capital starts from 1 euro and requirement for capital verification. Overall, SARL is a flexible and simple legal entity suitable for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
France Legal Entity Comparison
France Legal Entity Comparison
Basic Information
SARL
SAS
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Positive
Shareholder / Director / Secretary Requirements
SARL
SAS
Requirements For Shareholders:
Due to the SARL company type, it requires shareholders to pay annual social security tax in France (up to 5000 euros/year), we recommend that clients provide two shareholders to register the SARL company in France to omit this requirement.
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one shareholder.
Requirements For Directors ::
At least one
Requirements For Directors ::
At least one
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Negative
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Registered Capital Requirement
SARL
SAS
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. Starting from 1 euro.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. In principle, the minimum amount for account opening is 1 euro, and for consultancy on operation, the minimum amount is 2000 euros.
Capital Injection Not Required:
Negative
Capital Injection Not Required:
Negative
Capital Injection Requirement:
At least 50% of the registered capital must be paid in cash before company incorporation. If the cash deposit is less than 100% of the registered capital, an auditor is required for contribution in kind. Thus TKEG Expat recommend paying 100% of the registered capital in cash.
Capital Injection Requirement:
N/A
Memo
SARL
SAS
Memo:
N/A
Memo:
N/A


FR
France
CI - Company Incorporation
France SARL Company Incorporation (Complex Structure)
From EUR 2,625.00 / Company
Product Valid: Positive
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
FR - France
Learn More


FR
France
CI - Company Incorporation
France SARL Company Incorporation
From EUR 850.00 / Company
Product Valid: Positive
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
FR - France
Learn More


FR
France
CI - Company Incorporation
France SAS Company Incorporation (Complex Structure)
From EUR 2,625.00 / Company
Product Valid: Positive
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
FR - France
Learn More


FR
France
CI - Company Incorporation
France SAS Company Incorporation
From EUR 850.00 /
Product Valid: Positive
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
FR - France
Learn More
