When registering a business in France, you will have to use a legal address for your business called “siege social” or headquarter. All business types whether entreprise individuelle, auto entrepreneur, SARL or EIRL have a “siege social”. This address will figure on your extrait Kbis or INSEE attestation for auto-entrepreneurs.
I keep publishing regular warnings about scams aimed particularly at auto entrepreneurs. With over 500 000 auto entrepreneurs registered, some companies with low business ethic are quick at doing the maths!
A quick and easy way to check if your brand name is already registered in France, is to check the INPI online database. Check out the “recherche par nom de marque” page and simply enter your brand name in the first box, click on “rechercher” and cross your fingers…
Ten days ago, I talked to you about the Guichet Unique, a one stop shop to declare any type of business in France. This new online tool was supposed to be launched on 1st January. Well, surprise, surprise, the Guichet Unique is not working and it is likely to take a few more month before it does.
The inauguration of a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs is planned for 1st January 2010. The Guichet Unique will centralise all the paperwork required to start any type of business: commerçants, artisans, professions liberales, entreprises individuelles or limited companies (SARL and EURL).
You’re working on a business project and everybody keeps asking for your SIRET or SIREN number: for quotes, for advertising, for partnerships, so what is it? A SIREN number is your business’ unique ID number. This 9 digit number will be requested by all French administration dealing with you: URSSAF, RSI, Impot, etc. It is a proof that you are a fully registered French business, listed on the national business directory - répertoire national des entreprises. Your SIREN number will be issued by INSEE (the national institute of statistics), when you register your business.