Latest information for small businesses in France


What does Fillon’s austerity plan means for your business?

What does Fillon’s austerity plan means for your business?

On Monday 7th November, Francois Fillon revealed his "Plan d'austérité" with several measure designed to reduce France's deficit. Here is an overview of the key measures and their impact on your French business. ...

By Valérie Aston · 13 Nov 2011


SMIC: French minimum hourly wage to be increased by 2.1%

SMIC: French minimum hourly wage to be increased by 2.1%

The French minimum hourly wage, called SMIC, will be increased by 2.1% from 1st December 2011. The minimum hourly rate will therefore increase from 9€ to 9.19€ per hour. The minimum monthly French gross salary will be ...

By Valérie Aston · 13 Nov 2011


Will auto-entrepreneurs become liable to TVA?

Will auto-entrepreneurs become liable to TVA?

French builders and artisans' professionnal body called CAPEB (Confédération de l'Artisanat et des Petites Entreprises du Bâtiment) has strongly been lobbying the French Government in order for auto-entrepreneurs to ...

By Valérie Aston · 6 Nov 2011


Contribution Fonciere des Entreprises (CFE) bill on its way

Contribution Fonciere des Entreprises (CFE) bill on its way

You will shortly receive a bill from the tax people for the Contribution Fonciere des Entreprises (CFE). This tax was introduced last year to replace the Taxe Profesionnelle. All French entrepreneurs with an entreprise ...

By Valérie Aston · 5 Nov 2011


Starting a business in France

Starting a business in France

You may be considering moving to France and starting a new business, but how to you get started? I recently wrote this article for Mum Abroad France, covering 13 interesting questions ranging from the first steps to take ...

By Valérie Aston · 2 Nov 2011


Auto-entrepreneur turnover threshold to increase in 2012

Auto-entrepreneur turnover threshold to increase in 2012

Auto-entrepreneurs' maximum turnover threashold will slightly increase in 2012. The new levels have just been published but still have to be voted by deputies and senators in the 2012 Loi de finance. ...

By Valérie Aston · 20 Oct 2011


10 scams aimed at French Entrepreneurs

10 scams aimed at French Entrepreneurs

I have come across two new scams this week aimed at new entrepreneurs: Registre APE and RSI France. So I though it was time to up-date my yearly list of well known scams and save you hassle and money. Most of these scams ...

By Valérie Aston · 18 Oct 2011


Should you switch to a different business type?

Should you switch to a different business type?

As we enter the last quarter of 2011 (or any final quater for that matter), it’s time to take a step back, get up to date with your book keeping and assess whether your current French business set up is still right for ...

By Valérie Aston · 12 Oct 2011


5 Reasons why your French business might fail

5 Reasons why your French business might fail

I’ve worked with hundreds of French and English entrepreneurs over the years, helping them set up, develop and market their business. What strikes me is that some entrepreneurs have had to close their business in the ...

By Valérie Aston · 28 Sep 2011




Coming out of the auto-entrepreneur: what next?

Coming out of the auto-entrepreneur: what next?

You have been in business as an auto-entrepreneur for a little while and are getting closer to the turnover threshold for 2011 or are forecasting to go over this limit in 2012. You may wonder when and how you are ...

By Valérie Aston · 26 Apr 2011


How does French income tax work and how much will I pay?

How does French income tax work and how much will I pay?

I often get asked this question, as well as how much French income tax will I pay? This is a tricky question to answer, as there are many variables relating to your personal situation. This article explains how the ...

By Valérie Aston · 16 Apr 2011



How to close a SARL or EURL in France

How to close a SARL or EURL in France

Limited businesses in France such as EURL or SARL have to abide to specific legal framework or rules for their registration as well as for their closure. In this article I have summarised the steps that will need to be ...

By Valérie Aston · 6 Apr 2011