French Branch of an English Company

[la-vie-en-rose]

Hi

I wonder if anyone has experience or views on the merits or disadvantages (impossibilities?) of starting up a business using this method.

We would not be trading as such in France, and we are going to be seeking professional advice too - but experiences and thoughts are welcome!

Thanks

[Nick Trollope]

It is the "approved" method, depending (or is it dependant?) on what you want to do.

Very, very expensive.

Do only as you are saying you will do, get some pro advice (FWIW, from a French accountant - one who understands UK companies, rather than the other way round).

[P-D de Rouffignac]

I don't understand why you need a French branch office if, as you say, you do not intend to trade in France. There are various mechanisms if you intend to trade in France on behalf of a genuine UK company, starting with a "bureau de liaison" (activity limited to prospection and not actually trading), a branch office ("succursale") which reports back to the head office in UK and is under its control; and a subsidiary, independently trading in France but usually under the ultimate control of the parent company.

However all of these are intended for foreign companies intending to establish a genuine presence in France. The "bureau de liaison" needs no formal registration (except perhaps with the tax office), seems to vary from one CCI to another; the branch office has to furnish a copy in French of the UK company memo and articles, and receives its own French SIRET number; and a subsidiary is set up like any other French company (EURL, SARL, SA etc).

Hope this info helps - you can also speak to the Commercial Attaché in the French Embassy in London whom I have found very helpful.

P-D de Rouffignac