Professional answers and advice on starting and running a small business in France, e.g. auto-entrepreneur SARL, EURL, SAS etc.

I've answered about 67,790 questions since 2009.

Valerie Lemiere: Start Business in France

Bonjour, I'm Valérie Aston. I’m French, live in France and work as a senior business counsellor at the national support network for entrepreneurs (BGE) and run this site independently since 2009.

I have expert knowledge and experience in all areas of small businesses in France, e.g. business set up, law, regulations, registration, costs, social charges, tax etc. From auto-entrepreneur, SARL, EURL, SAS etc., I'm able to answer all your questions and advise you on any business issues.

How I can help you:

Everyone's questions: I've answered about 67,790 questions for 2,908 members. Membership is for a year and you can be 100% sure of getting all the answers, options and information you need.
Helpline: This is a one to one service that covers a lot of ground. It's for when you want to get up to speed quickly, to talk through your options in-depth and fully understand the implications of your choices.
Auto-entrepreneur business registration: I can register a business for you in France. You'll be registered quickly, correctly and with no errors to hold back your business. I manage the whole process.
Business administration: After registering a business in France there are administration services that must be done and quite often registration problems chased and corrected. I can do this for you.

Wishing you all the best,

Business blog

Summer break 2018

Start Business In France is taking a break for the summer from 27th July to 4th September. ...

By Valérie Aston · 23 Jul 2018 · 329 views

Should I come out of the auto entrepreneur regime?

The auto entrepreneur or micro-enterprise scheme allows for simplified registration. Based on your business development, you may consider switching to a different regime. ...

By Valérie Aston · 25 Jun 2018 · 1007 views

How does health cover work for entrepreneurs in France

Registering a business in France will entitle you to a health coverage, provided it is your main activity. A French social security number will be created for you. ...

By Valérie Aston · 6 May 2018 · 1410 views

Business incorporation tax reduced in France from 33% to 25%

Business incorporation tax in France called Impot sur les Sociétés will be reduced from 2018. Based on his election campaign, President Emmanuel Macron will steadily decrease the incorporation tax in France from ...

By Valérie Aston · 7 Sep 2017 · 2744 views

New measures to boost small businesses in France

The French government will be presenting its plan for small businesses in Dijon on 5th September 2017. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe will announce key measures to boost small businesses in France. ...

By Valérie Aston · 4 Sep 2017 · 4225 views

Business owners in France: RSI to be dissolved on 1 January 2018

Regime Social des Indépendants (RSI), the body collecting and handling social charges for artisans and commerçant in France will be dissolved on 1st January 2018. This will affect business owners in France. ...

By Valérie Aston · 28 Jun 2017 · 9814 views

Business videos

How to create your business account with Net Entreprises

This video gives you a step-by-step guide to create your business account on Net-Entreprises.fr. When your account is set-up, you will be able to login within 48 hours to make your auto-entrepreneur turnover declaration. ...

By Valérie Aston · 23 Jan 2011

What is the difference between artisan, commerçant and profession liberale?

Auto-entrepreneur businesses in France are classified either as activité commerciale, activité artisanale or profession libérale. When registering your business, you have to indicate which type of activity you belong to. ...

By Valérie Aston · 13 Nov 2010

I have received a bill for social charges from RSI, should I pay it?

Many auto-entrepreneurs are receiving bills for social charges or appels de cotisation from RSI? If you have been in business for a few months and have already been making turnover declaration either online with ...

By Valérie Aston · 13 Nov 2010

Business podcasts

Everyone's questions

Which legal structure for a Sailmaking business in France

Hosting language students - is chambre d’hôte best structure?

Who do I contact for a change of address and to register for an extra actvity code?

Difference between Auto/Micro-Entrepreneur and Entreprise Individuelle?

Co-joints or separate micro entrepreneurs?

How to deal with home agencies given that they ask bulletin de salaire?

Clients in the EU and TVA shifted to recipient

Transition from UK to France

Income tax paid at source: prélèvement à la source impôt sur le revenu

Author also running writing workshops

Legality of leaving a pool unattended with just a pool alarm.

How large an extension are we allowed

Activites as part of micro-entrepreneur: artist and gite

Received a blank CFE form from the tax office

Cannot access URSSAF account

Can you set up one micro enterprise covering both gite and chambres d’hotes businesses?

Legal structures for small scale farm and holiday accomodation

Moving from UK to France and Managing our Tax Liabilities Properly

Testimonials

Valerie provides an excellent service and always responds very quickly with very sensible advice. Many, many thanks.
-Rusty Hanlon

Start Business in France