<h1>Who is Alf for?</h1>
<h2>No entrepreneur has time to waste in finding the right administrative office, or in reaching out to various people who sometimes do not have the expertise or time required to answer a specific question properly.</h2>
<a href="\/en">alf</a> is made for all entrepreneurs wishing to create a turnkey company, with all the associated services needed (escrow account, direct debit service, insurance, online accountant, quick access to a lawyer, etc.) all with the same level of information regarding documents, and able to intervene only for expert advice with high added value.
In addition to managing the creation of your company and all the related steps, <a href="\/en">alf</a> simplifies the day-to-day management of your company. We automate all the steps necessary for the smooth running of your company. <a href="\/en">alf</a> manages, for example, the completion of your mandatory People with Significant Control declaration, your capital increases, the approval of your accounts, the filing of your trademark. For more information, you can consult <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">our page dedicated to the management of your paperwork</a>.
<a href="\/en">alf</a> manages the paperwork of a diverse clientele: startups, serial entrepreneurs, lawyers, chartered accountants, incubators, be them from France or any other country around the world.
We also offer services for your <a href="/en/paperwork/tva">VAT registration</a> and the management of all your <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/tva">VAT paperwork</a>.
Our services are aimed at all types of entrepreneurs, including those whose main activity is a regulated profession.
To learn more about managing your company's paperwork with <a href="\/en">alf</a>, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>.
&nbsp;
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche">The registration process with Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/principes-de-alf">Alf's automatic company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quel-est-le-role-de-alf">Alf and your VAT paperwork</a>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
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Alf assists you in managing your company’s paperwork online : the creation of your company, your trademark registration, your capital increase.

Who is Alf for?

<h1>What are Alf's tenets?</h1>
<h2><a href="\/en">alf</a> supports you in the creation and management of your company. At <a href="\/en">alf</a>, we automate all the paperwork of your company, from its incorporation to its daily management.</h2>
Our model is the automatic company: we eliminate the administrative complexity of your company's formalities by managing them in an automated way.
In this way, you can focus on the essential: the growth of your business!
We work with our partners, lawyers and experts in corporate and investment law to provide you with quality documents containing clauses that allow you to:
    1. BOOST the company and its activity:The <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporation of your company</a> with <a href="\/en">alf</a> enables you to choose between various legal form of companies, depending on your needs: SAS, SARL or SCI.
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/principes-de-alf">Alf's automatic company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche">The registration process with Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-immatriculer-une-societe">The reasons why you should incorporate a company</a>

Get to know more about Alf's services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

Description of companies that can be registered by alf

What types of companies offers Alf ?

<h1>What are Alf's tenets?</h1>
<h2><a href="\/en">alf</a> supports you in the creation and management of your company. At <a href="\/en">alf</a>, we automate all the paperwork of your company, from its incorporation to its daily management.</h2>
Our model is the automatic company: we eliminate the administrative complexity of your company's formalities by managing them in an automated way.
In this way, you can focus on the essential: the growth of your business!
We work with our partners, lawyers and experts in corporate and investment law to provide you with quality documents containing clauses that allow you to:
    1. BOOST the company and its activity:
<ul>
<li>With legal clauses adapted to the chosen activity,</li>
<li>The documents proposed optimise the best practices of the sector (for example, the most frequent tax regime, the cheapest closing date, or extended communication rights to ensure confidence between founders, etc.).</li>
</ul>
   2. PRESERVE the company's cash flow once it is incorporated:
<ul>
<li>C-level executives (i.e., CEO, CTO, CMO, etc.) are appointed indefinitely and without remuneration, expenditures in excess of €5,000 are decided collectively etc. All of this is subject to modification, of course,</li>
<li>Access to simplified financing (public, private, crowdfunding). To avoid having to change bylaws or company form during a fundraiser or launch on Kickstarter or Product Hunt.</li>
</ul>
3. ORGANIZE decision-making simply:
<ul>
<li>convening and holding of general assemblies by electronic means or video conferences, online voting, etc.</li>
<li>electronic signature of contractual documents and consultations,</li>
<li>easy and clear view of majorities required for important decisions in the company.</li>
</ul>
4. Equity between partners and protection of the founders
<ul>
<li>all shares are entitled to one vote and a right to profits and losses,</li>
<li>all documents allow the partners to transfer their shares to a family holding for up to 85% and all the partners benefit from a preferential subscription right.</li>
</ul>
The <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporation of your company</a> with <a href="\/en">alf</a> enables you to choose between various legal form of companies, depending on your needs: SAS, SARL or SCI.
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/principes-de-alf">Alf's automatic company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche">The registration process with Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-immatriculer-une-societe">The reasons why you should incorporate a company</a>

Get to know more about Alf's services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

Everything is automated. Let's get more efficient and clear. Let's focus your energy on your core business. Alf takes care of your legal and administrative tasks        

What are Alf's tenets?

<h1>Why incorporate my company with Alf?</h1>
Avoid random searches on the Internet, the difficulty of having to find a bank to deposit your share capital, of contacting your partners by email or of printing your documents to discover at the counter that you are missing a paper!
Whatever your personal situation (foreigner, residing outside France or a foreign company, regulated or unregulated profession, etc.), we adapt our questions according to your needs and prepare all the documents necessary for the legal incorporation of your company as well as its management (articles of association, shareholders' agreement, domiciliation contract or legal appointment of an auditor, creation of your IBAN account online, insurance subscription, etc.).
<h2>With <a href="\/en">alf</a> you choose your needs for your company's incorporation, and with the help of our intelligent questionnaire:</h2>
<ul>
<li>we automate the verification of your documents, their validity date, their type</li>
<li>we prepare the bundles of documents required by law and all legal notices</li>
<li>you follow the procedure in real time by email</li>
<li>we instantly send your documents to all service providers</li>
<li>your dashboard centralizes the documents related to your company</li>
</ul>
All our documents contain balanced, common governance and decision-making solutions, with majorities that are easy to remember, and are based on the best practices of your ecosystem in France, in the light of widespread practices in Europe and in the United States.
If you would like an expert opinion or to modify your documents, we put you in touch with an expert partner who knows and has access to your documents and can advise you online at a preferential rate.
If you want an expert opinion or if you simply want to modify your documents, you have access to the documents available at any time online. Our experts know our documents perfectly and can intervene in ways that focus on the added value of their advice.
The entire creation process is secure, including your identification, the creation of your online escrow account, your signature and the storage of documents. We verify your information, and your documents are sealed with a certificate issued by a trusted third party.
In short, creating your company with <a href="\/en">alf</a> is a guarantee of:
<ul>
<li>Simplicity - your administrative procedures are fully automated: answer a questionnaire, we take care of the rest!</li>
<li>Speed - Alf instantly generates your articles of association and your company is registered within 48 hours!</li>
<li>Reliability - we guarantee you support from the best experts. In addition, Alf serves a diversified and demanding clientele (start-ups, nomadic entrepreneurs, serial entrepreneurs, lawyers, accountants, incubators). Providing quality service is part of our DNA!</li>
<li>Availability - you can give us a call at <a href="tel:003384880707">003333184880707</a>, or via <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com">email</a> and chat.</li>
<li>Competitiveness - at Alf we include in our prices the legal publication fees and court fees, our offer is transparent and without any hidden costs. We are the legaltech company that offers the most services for the creation and management of your business, at unbeatable prices.</li>
</ul>
To learn more about creating and managing your company's paperwork with <a href="\/en">alf</a>, contact us or visit our website!
&nbsp;
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche">The registration process with Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/principes-de-alf">Alf’s automatic company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quel-est-le-role-de-alf">Alf and your VAT paperwork</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

With Made in Law, the incorporation of your company and the management of your company’s paperwork are easy tasks. Benefit from the help of our experts...

Why incorporate my company with Alf?

<h1>Online incorporation: How does incorporation work?</h1>
<a href="/">Alf</a> aims at involving experts only for your most critical needs. For the rest, it is all automated: documents, administrative procedures, signatures, compliance checks, etc. You are thus freed from queues, incomplete or lost emails or appointments to explain your project.
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Steps for your company’s incorporation are as follows:</h2>
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li>you and all the team answer a smart questionnaire</li>
<li>you receive and amend your documents generated automatically upon your needs</li>
<li>you deposit your share capital online</li>
<li>you sign online</li>
<li>your company is incorporated</li>
</ol>
And all your documents are accessible from your dashboard and are kept in a digital vault.
What do I need to prepare?
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li>an identity document (a residence card for foreigners), a recent incorporation certificate for companies</li>
<li>a proof of address for the CEO</li>
<li>additional documents depending on your activity or situation</li>
</ol>
Can I change my mind or make changes?
All changes are possible and free until steps have been taken on your behalf with administrations, third parties or financial institutions.
<a href="\/en">alf</a> assists you in order for you to incorporate your company easily and automatically. To discover our offer, please visit <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">our page dedicated to your company’s incorporation.</a>
Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/principes-de-alf">Alf’s automatic company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche">The registration process with Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-immatriculer-une-societe">The reasons why you should incorporate a company</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

The steps for your company’s incorporation with Made in Law are the following: answer our questionnaire, we manage everything else! 

Online incorporation: How does it work?

<h1>Can I sign documents online?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Yes. This is absolutely possible !</h2>
In order for a signature to be legally recognized, it must be reliable enough, to that end the e-signature solution must:
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>prove its ability to establish the identity of the signatory;</li>
<li>ensure that the content of the signed document cannot be subsequently amended;</li>
<li>make the access to the document during the legal period of conservation possible.</li>
</ul>
There are several security levels of electronic signature. Our service relies on a very advanced digital signature method: our service provider has a valid qualified certificate issued by the ANSSI (Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d'information, the French National Cybersecurity Agency).
Thus, to ensure integrity of your identity, <a href="\/en" >alf</a> resorts to a system which couples identification processes (email, password and IP access) with our service provider's verified methods (email, phone number, access code via text message). This system includes in the documents signed time stamping and cryptographic signature. Such measures guarantee the existence of your documents at the date of signature and prevent later amendments.
All documents and pieces of evidence collected during the signature process (including metadata and IP addresses...) are certified by our trusted service provider who archives them in a proof file.
Thanks to our e-signature solution provider, digital signature of your company's documents has never been so easy, simple and secure! This undoubtedly amounts to a drastic gain in time, money and efficiency <a href="/en/faq/alf-cest-pour-qui" >for innovative entrepreneurs</a>.  Electronic signature is totally allowed in France: it is even encouraged by the European Digital Single Market strategy (eIDAS regulation).
<a href="\/en" >alf</a> can therefore offer an even more <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >automated user experience</a>, pushing the boundaries of dematerialization.
Our service provider cares about <a href="/en/faq/quels-sont-vos-standards-en-matiere-de-securite-numerique" >information security and confidentiality</a>, insofar as its solution is ISO 27001 certified. ISO 27001 contains the highest standards as regards with privacy and confidentiality.
For more details, please <a href="\/en" >visit our website</a> or <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com" >contact our team</a>!

Thanks to our e-signature solution provider, digital signature of your company’s documents has never been so easy, simple and secure!

Can I sign my documents online?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What are your information security standards?</h1>


<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="\/en" >alf</a> abides by high-level information security standards in order to provide you with the best possible services, without taking any risk that could compromise the data your entrust us with.</h2>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;">1. Digital ethics rules</h2>
The Paris bar regularly issues guidelines to bring digital security matters to the attention of lawyers. These recommendations intend to increase French lawyers' awareness about information and communications technology along with the associated risks incurred in their day-to-day practice.
Even if <a href="\/en" >alf</a> is not subject to the provisions of the Paris bar as we are not a law firm, <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >our team is still composed of former lawyers, in-house counsels and legal experts</a> who strive for data security and observance of professional secrecy. Thus, we comply with the digital ethics rules that are relevant to our activity. The following are the issues we are mainly focusing on:
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>the physical protection of the devices on which data is stored;</li>
<li>the protection of our computers and IT systems with strong passwords, heightened vigilance &amp; watch, reliable anti-virus softwares, etc;</li>
<li>the storage of sensitive data using the servers of a trusted partner with the best available encryption technologies;</li>
<li>the routinization of data backups;</li>
<li>the use of secured networks, even when working out of the office;</li>
<li>the guarantees of our trusted partners concerning confidentiality, professional secrecy, transparence and independence;</li>
<li>the information of our clients on an ongoing basis.</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">2. Our compliance with the GDPR</h2>
<a href="/en/faq/a-quel-type-dinformations-le-rgpd-sapplique-t-il" >The General Data Protection Regulation</a> (Regulation 2016/679, also known as GDPR) is a EU regulation on privacy, implemented since May 25, 2018. <a href="\/en" >alf</a> has established a responsible <a href="/en/faq/comment-vous-assurer-que-votre-traitement-des-donnees-est-conforme-au-rgpd" >data processing</a> in order to abide by the requirements of this regulation which reinforces the rights of European citizens as regards with their personal data.
Our team has carefully taken into consideration the set of recommendations issued by the CNIL (Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés, the French Data Protection Authority), as far as the transparence of our data processing is concerned: from the moment you entrust us with your information, we implement reasonable measures to inform you about the reasons for collecting your personal data; we help you understand the resulting treatment; and we give you control over your data.
By enabling you to exercise your GDPR rights as one of our clients, <a href="\/en" >alf</a> emphasizes the importance of having deep and trusting relationships.
For more information about the latter, please <a href="/en/termes" >read our terms and condition</a>s. Also, do not hesitate to <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com" >contact our team</a>: we will be happy to answer your GDPR requests.
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">3. Becoming ISO 27001 Certified</h2>
<a href="\/en" >alf</a> has been working with its partners for several months now to be eventually ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System) certified by an external certification body in the first quarter of 2020.
ISO 27001 is an internationally renowned standard in the realm of information security. The certification will reward our efforts and guarantee our clients that we offer the best standards for data protection.
We are implementing and testing our own information security management system with the cooperation of our whole team (lawyers, developers...), in order to optimally manage the risks incurred by the processing of sensitive data: this approach is not only about IT infrastructures, since ISO 27001 also focuses on individuals and processes.
<a href="\/en" >alf</a>'s compliance with this very demanding standard is an opportunity to remind our clients that our service strikingly stands out against our competitors'.
You have for sure understood that our clients' data are in safe hands. The security of the information we are entrusted with is a priority, because naturally, it is an absolute prerequisite to build trusting relationships.
Our experts are available to reply to your questions about information security: do not hesitate to leave them a message on <a href="\/en" >our website</a> or to <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com" >send them an email</a>!

Alf abides by high-level information security standards in order to provide you with the best possible services,

What are your information security standards?

<h1>Our partnership with iBanFirst</h1>

<a href="\/en">alf</a> is pleased to inform you of its partnership with <a href="https://www.ibanfirst.com/">iBanFirst.</a>
For the price of €50, Alf puts you in touch with <a href="https://www.ibanfirst.com/">iBanFirst</a> and helps you open your professional bank account.
<h2>Indeed, <a href="https://www.ibanfirst.com/">iBanFirst</a> is a financial services platform for companies. </h2>
Their service offer has been specially designed for small and medium-sized companies. The pricing conditions proposed on <a href="\/en">alf</a> have been designed to optimise savings to the most common types of operations.
In addition to an IBAN account and European services for receiving and issuing SEPA credit transfers, your iBanFirst account gives you access to a package of services offered by the Fintech ecosystem or <a href="https://www.ibanfirst.com/">iBanFirst</a> itself.
A payment card, factoring, financing, investment and more, you activate the service you want, when you need it and you are only charged for the modules you have activated! This is the concept of Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS).
In accordance with European law, <a href="https://www.ibanfirst.com/">iBanFirst</a> is obliged to segregate funds transferred by its clients pending payment. In other words, iBanFirst must, each day, deposit in a separate bank account all amounts received by its customers. This account is independent, protected by the guarantee of the deposits and separated from all the funds and own accounts of iBanFirst.
As a result, clients’ funds are protected from <a href="https://www.ibanfirst.com/">iBanFirst</a>’s creditors. In the event of bankruptcy, for example, there is therefore no mix of ownership.
iBanFirst is the only payment institution authorized in continental Europe to make payments with exchange by the National Bank of Belgium. This location in a country at the forefront of payment technology and the strategic oversight committee make <a href="https://www.ibanfirst.com/">iBanFirst</a> one of the most serious players in the market.
For more information, you can visit <a href="https://www.ibanfirst.com/">iBanFirst's webpage</a>.
&nbsp;
Discover:
<a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quun-compte-courant-dassocies">What is a shareholder current account for?</a>
<a href="/en/blog/comment-fonctionne-louverture-du-compte-courant-en-ligne">Open an online account with the help of Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris">Our partnership with French cooperative bank Le Crédit Mutuel</a>
<a href="/en/blog/residents-non-eu-frais-supplementaires-louverture-compte-courant-en-ligne">Non-EU residents and opening bank account fees</a>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs</a>
 
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Alf and iBanFirst have partnered in order for you to incorporate your company in the best possible conditions. We introduce you our offer...

Our partnership with iBanFirst

<h1>Who is Verico?</h1>
<h2>In cooperation with <a href="\/en">alf</a>, <a href="https://www.verico.co.uk/">Verico</a> European VAT Services offers comprehensive VAT packages and one-off services. </h2>
<a href="https://www.verico.co.uk/">Verico, </a>along with <a href="\/en">alf</a> thus helps sellers around the world to expand to the European online market.
The new millennium offers new challenges and opportunities never seen before. Distance sales are skyrocketing as legislation scrambles to keep up. This means business owners are spending more and more time poring over the latest legal jargon instead of running their businesses. In 2018, the founder of <a href="https://www.verico.co.uk/">Verico</a>, Terry Lowndes, created a solution in keeping with <a href="\/en">alf</a>'s mission: no-nonsense, comprehensive VAT services, so you stay in the loop, without the hassle.
Verico's small team based in England, Germany, France and Israel work across Europe and around the world to provide you with the best possible service at the lowest possible price within the framework of its partnership with <a href="\/en">alf</a>. 
<h2>In collaboration with <a href="\/en">alf</a>, <a href="https://www.verico.co.uk/">Verico</a> offers the Seller one all-inclusive platform that streamlines all processes involved - from incorporation (Tax agent option), VAT registration (Tax representative option), VAT filing and payments and for companies, all companies’ administrative management.</h2>
To discover our offer, please visit <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/tva">our VAT registration page</a>.


Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/quel-est-le-role-de-alf">Alf &amp; your VAT paperwork</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quels-sont-les-differents-taux-de-tva-en-france">The various French VAT rates applicable to goods and services</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quand-dois-je-menregistrer-a-la-tva-en-france">Is French VAT registration necessary?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quel-est-le-role-du-representant-fiscal">What is a tax representative? </a>
<a href="/en/faq/quand-dois-je-nommer-un-mandataire-fiscal">Why resort to a tax agent?</a>

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Alf and Verico have partnered to simplify the management of your company’s  VAT paperwork. You can now benefit from our expertise...

Who is Verico?

<h1>Our partnership with the accounting firm LeChiffre</h1>
&nbsp;
<a href="\/en">alf</a> is very pleased to announce our partnership with <a href="https://www.lechiffre.com/">LeChiffre</a>!
<a href="\/en">alf</a> is always concerned with offering you the best services. <a href="\/en">alf</a> always wants to make sure to provide you with partnerships with key players to ensure that your company is well managed, and to leave you enough room to focus on you business’ growth.
In this way, we have partnered with <a href="https://www.lechiffre.com/">LeChiffre</a>, a chartered accountancy firm.
<h2><a href="https://www.lechiffre.com/">LeChiffre’s</a> values are in keeping with <a href="\/en">alf</a>’s. Indeed, LeChiffre aims at simplifying the management of your company in the digital age, in a country full of promising talents who demand more simplicity and transparency when it comes to managing their companies’ paperwork.</h2>
<a href="https://www.lechiffre.com/">LeChiffre</a> allows you to manage your accounting with modern tools adapted to the digital age: all your management tools are interconnected, to simplify your procedures and save you time. You have access to your tools wherever you are and on different devices: mobiles, computers or tablets. 
<a href="https://www.lechiffre.com/">LeChiffre</a> provides you with:
<ul>
<li>The management of your expense reports from your mobile phone</li>
<li>The management of your invoices and quotations</li>
<li>The dematerialization of your purchases and invoices</li>
<li>Centralization and simplified sharing of your management tools</li>
<li>The calculation of social security contributions for self-employed workers</li>
</ul>
 Thanks to the partnership, you are able to benefit from <a href="https://www.lechiffre.com/">LeChiffre</a>’s fees, that have been pre-negotiated by <a href="\/en">alf</a>.
Read more: 
<a href="/en/blog/comment-fonctionne-louverture-du-compte-courant-en-ligne">Open an online account with the help of Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris">Our partnership with French cooperative bank Le Crédit Mutuel</a>
<a href="/en/faq/partenariat-avec-ibanfirst">Our Partnership with iBanFirst</a>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;

Alf and the chartered accountacy firm LeChiffre have partnered to simplify the management of your company’s financial paperwork.

Our partnership with the chartered accountancy firm LeChiffre

<h1>Our partnership with the French cooperative bank Crédit Mutuel</h1>
We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with the Crédit Mutuel of Paris!
Always paying close attention to the way we can offer you the best possible service, we do strive to seek interesting partnerships with key actors to be at your side at every step of your company’s setting-up.
<h2 class="p1">Alf and Crédit Mutuel both share the same aspirations and objectives: making the establishment of innovative and promising companies in France easier and carefully accompanying gifted entrepreneurs in various procedures while promoting similar values such as autonomy, simplicity and transparence.</h2>
This partnership will be valid for the opening of a professional bank account, until December 31, 2019.
It includes:
<ul>
<li class="p1">The opening of a “Eurocompte Pro” current account (a 3-month free package : current account, payment check, international credit card, CMUT Pro access, payment protection insurance) ;</li>
<li class="p1">A 50% reduction on bank charges for specific transactions ;</li>
<li class="p1">A twelve-month free rental of an electronic payment terminal ;</li>
<li class="p1">Support in the expansion of your activities with a financing of equipment (0% rate up to 2000 euros) ;</li>
<li class="p1">Attractive savings plans ;</li>
<li class="p1">A free hoverboard.</li>
</ul>
You will also be offered the possibility to directly communicate with Crédit Mutuel’s counsellors via our platform.
You will find <a href="/static/pdf/Partenariat-alf.pdf"></a><a href="/static/pdf/Partenariat-alf.pdf" title="Alf x Crédit Mutuel Paris" target="_blank">here</a> a more detailed description of the partnership.
Should you need any further information on this partnership or on <a href="\/en">your </a><a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">company's incorporation in France</a>, please do not hesitate to <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com">contact </a>Alf or visit <a href="/en">our website</a>.
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quun-compte-courant-dassocies">What is a shareholder current account for?</a>
<a href="/en/blog/comment-fonctionne-louverture-du-compte-courant-en-ligne">Open an online account with the help of Alf</a>
<a href="/en/blog/residents-non-eu-frais-supplementaires-louverture-compte-courant-en-ligne">Non-EU residents and opening bank account fees</a>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

Alf and the bank Credit Mutuel have partnered to simplify the incorporation of your company. Here is the introduction to our offer...

About our partnership with French cooperative bank Crédit Mutuel

<h1>Our partnership with Sedomicilier.fr</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="\/en" style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Alf</a> has partnered with <a href="https://sedomicilier.fr/" style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Sedomicilier.fr</a> to meet your needs when you need to choose your company’s headquarters, and we manage for you the subscription of your domiciliary contract until your registration.</h2>
Within the framework of the partnership, you will be able to benefit from preferential fees and advantages specially negotiated for you:
<ul>
<li>1st month offered for any contract without commitment</li>
<li>Termination at any time and without charge</li>
<li>Scan all documents and send by email</li>
<li>29€/month excluding taxes - 1st month free</li>
<li>Re-shipment by optional postal mail</li>
<li>Document scanning (500 sheets per month maximum)</li>
<li>The first 2 months are free if you choose the contract with commitment and annual payment</li>
</ul>
The suggested locations with <a href="https://sedomicilier.fr/">Sedomicilier.fr</a> are the following:
– PARIS 
<ul>
<li>Paris 1 – Châtelet</li>
<li>Paris 8 – Boétie</li>
<li>Paris 8 – Ponthieu</li>
<li>Paris 8 – Champs-Élysées</li>
<li>Paris 15 – Lourmel</li>
<li>Paris 16 – Ingres</li>
<li>Paris 19 – Goubet</li>
</ul>
– RÉGION PARISIENNE
<ul>
<li>92 – Asnières – Quai Dervaux</li>
<li>93 – Saint-Ouen – Anselme</li>
<li>94 – Saint-Mandé – De Gaulle</li>
</ul>
– AUTRES VILLES DE FRANCE 
<ul>
<li>Biarritz – Juin</li>
<li>Bordeaux – Tourny</li>
<li>Lille – Solférino</li>
<li>Lyon – Foch</li>
<li>Lyon – République</li>
<li>Marseille – Joliette</li>
<li>Rennes – Guéhenno</li>
<li>Toulon – Port</li>
<li>Toulouse – Riquet</li>
<li>Toulouse – Sainte Ursule</li>
</ul>

<a href="\/en">alf</a> assists you in <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporating you company</a> in France, as well as <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">managing all your company’s paperwork</a>. To discover our services, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>.
Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/a-quoi-sert-un-domiciliataire">A domiciliary: what is it for?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-choisir-le-siege-social">How to choose your company's headquarters</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris">Our partnership with French cooperative bank Le Crédit Mutuel</a>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a><o:p></o:p>


<ul></ul>

Alf and Sedomicilier.fr have partnered to simplify the management of your company’s headquarter when incorporating your company in France.

Our partnership with Sedomicilier.fr

<h1>What services does Sab Formalités offer?</h1>
&nbsp;
<h2>Our partnership with Sab Formalités, a domiciliary agent, provides you with a business address in Paris’ prestigious 1st arrondissement (Boulevard de Sébastopol). </h2>
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This service has been negotiated to provide you top-notch domiciliation services at an extremely competitive price point. For 29€/month, they offer domiciliation services and are able to provide additional services (document scanning, mail forwarding etc) at competitive rates.
&nbsp;
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris">Our partnership with the bank Crédit Mutuel</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-lechiffre">Our partnership with the firm of chartered accountants LeChiffre</a>
<a href="/en/faq/la-domiciliation-combien-ca-coute-et-comment-ca-marche">Choose your company's headquarters' with our partner Sedomicilier</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
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When incorporating your company with Made in Law, you can benefit from our partnership with Sab Formalités in order to choose your company's headquarters...

What services does Sab Formalités offer?

<h1>Why should I incorporate a company?</h1>

<h2>If you are starting an entrepreneurial adventure, here’s a useful reminder: your personal belongings are exposed to some risks as long as your company has not been registered.</h2>
The main perks of creating a company  are thus:
<ul>
<li>Financial: when your company is incorporated, you get to claim your VAT refunds on expenses engaged for the formation of your company. You are also eligible to some State aids (for instance ACRE), but also able to benefit from external investment for instance through crowdfunding.</li>
<li>Patrimonial: creating a company can help you protect your assets and those of your family from any financial consequences of your business activity.</li>
<li>Commercial: the incorporation is necessary in order to reassure your customers, as well as your bankers. Indeed, incorporating your company will help give credit to your project and show your commitment to the project.</li>
<li>Relational: in order to better structure the founders’ and shareholders’ relations, to improve the decision-making process, the arrivals and departures… Clear commitments will always enable better discussions in order to move forward.</li>
<li>Legal: in order to separate your professional activity from your private life and isolate the legal risks that could be implied by this activity.</li>
</ul>
The incorporation of your company thus secures your business activity, and is easy to implement with <a href="\/en">alf</a>.
<a href="\/en"> Alf</a> assists you in <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporating you company</a> in France, as well as <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">managing all your company’s paperwork</a>. To discover our services, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>.
 
Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche">The registration process with Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/que-dois-je-faire-apres-limmatriculation-de-ma-societe">After my incorporation: what is left to do?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/mon-kbis-contient-des-erreurs-est-ce-grave">I’ve noticed mistakes on my certificate of incorporation (Kbis): what should I do?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quels-sont-vos-standards-en-matiere-de-securite-numerique">Alf’s security standards</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
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The incorporation of your company is recommended when you have your business activity. Indeed, the registration of your company draws various perks...

Why incorporate a company?

<h1>Can I create a company in France if I am not a French national?</h1>

<h2>Yes, you can create a company in France (including on any French territory), even if you are not a French national.</h2>
<h2>The conditions on which you can incorporate  a company in France are different, depending on two factors :</h2>
<ul>
<li>Whether you are an EU national, or from any other country outside of the European Union</li>
<li>Your place of residence </li>
</ul>
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<h2>If you live in France:</h2>
<ul>
<li>First case: You are an EU national, or a European Economic Area national: you can incorporate your company in France without any constraints related to your place of residence or nationality. You will only have to us with an ID card.</li>
<li>Second case: You are a national from a country outside the European Union or the European Economic Area. You have to hold a residence permit which mentions that you are allowed to work as a self-employed person. This residence permit must be requested to the prefecture of the department of residence.</li>
</ul>
<h2>If you don't live in France:</h2>
<ul>
<li>First case: you want to settle in France: you will be required to ask for a long-stay visa. This visa will be granted if your project is viable. Once in France, you will need a temporary residence permit mentioning your activity.</li>
<li>Second case: You don’t plan to settle in France:  you will have to register to the Trade and Companies Register without having to make any prior declaration to the prefecture.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="\/en">alf</a> assists you in the incorporation of your company and the management of your company’s paperwork. For further details, please visit <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">our website</a>.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Read more:<o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche">The registration process with Alf</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-se-deroule-lobtention-des-numeros-siren-et-siret">How to obtain your SIREN and SIRET numbers</a>
Some information to read prior to your incorporation with Alf

Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a><o:p></o:p>
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France promotes entrepreneurs. As a foreign entrepreneurs, you can incorporate your company in France, but conditions may vary depending on your situation.

Can I create a company in France if I am not a French national?

<h1>What is the corporate form you recommend for simplicity and efficiency?</h1>
<h2>The SAS is the legal form of company favored by startups today in France.</h2>
To develop quickly and without any unnecessary constraints, the legal form of your company should be stable and flexible. In this way, you can face various situations over time. The SAS is the most flexible legal form of company in France: you can easily modify the organisation of your company, accordingly to your growth.
Indeed, in opposition to the legal forms of the SARL or the SA, the SAS is characterized by the absence of an exhaustive regulation in the French trade regulation (Code du commerce in french). When it comes to the organisation of your company, anything can be planned in the articles of incorporation of a SAS.
In this way, the SAS for instance will help you simplify the process of decision-making for your company, and it will also help you avert anything that could hinder your growth. You can thus set the rules of majorities when it comes to general assembly’s votes. You can also freely choose the way you want to summon the assembly. For instance, you’ll be able to choose if you want to summon a General Assembly simply through email or text message, which can’t be done if you incorporate a SARL, a SCI, or SA. You can also decide how to allocate bonus shares to your employees, you can amend the rights of C-level executives  or change your capital easily and without any legal constraints. 
Besides, the minimum share capital deposit is one euro. This enables you to avoid immobilizing your fundings when launching your company. Indeed, this can happen if you create a SA, which requires 37,500€ of minimum share capital deposit. 
There can also be only one shareholder in a SAS (in opposition to the 2 or 7 minimum shareholders for a SA)
The mentioned advantages offered by the SAS make it possible to start your activity quickly and to make decisions on the organization of the company simply according to your growth and governance rules.
Furthermore, with a SAS, you can easily anticipate your future increases in capital, for which you will inevitably have to add new shareholders. With a SAS, you can indeed  freely add provisions that simplify the entrance of new shareholders in the capital.
<h2>What is the difference between a SAS and a SASU?</h2>
A SASU is a SAS with only one shareholder. the U stands for unique shareholder.
The applicable legal regime is, therefore, the same as that of the SAS.
The documents proposed by Alf anticipate changes in the distribution of capital and allow your company to be governed in the same way with one or more partners.
You can incorporate your own company and, without having to change the corporate governance, add one or more partners in the future.
&nbsp;
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche">The registration process with Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/que-dois-je-faire-apres-limmatriculation-de-ma-societe">After your incorporation: what is left to do?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/que-faut-il-indiquer-sur-ma-facture">Your first invoices: what should they include?</a>

Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
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&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
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Known for its significant flexibility, the SAS is today the most favoured legal form of company in France by startups.

What is the corporate form that you recommend for efficiency and simplicity?

What is the best corporate status for efficience and simplicity?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">When can I start conducting my business and amassing clients?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="/en/faq/alf-cest-pour-qui" >Starting your business</a> before <a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche" >the incorporation</a> of your company is possible in theory but there are certain things of which you should remain wary. </h2>
Each entrepreneurial adventure is different: the conditions under which two companies are created will differ. As such, each project should be subject to a certain amount of questions and an evaluation of the risks involved.
<a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >When you incorporate your company with alf</a>, it is legally considered to be <a href="/en/blog/le-calendrier-des-formalites-de-votre-societe" >in the process of creation</a> if one of the following conditions is fulfilled: <a href="/en/faq/comment-repartir-le-capital-et-les-pouvoirs-entre-mes-associes" >the shareholders</a> have signed <a href="/en/faq/que-contiennent-les-statuts-de-la-sas-sasu-proposes-par-alf" >the statutes proposed by alf</a> or the share capital deposit has been made.
You can, in principle, start your activity at this point, being careful to indicate the name and legal form of the company on every document, followed by the phrase « société en cours de formation » ("in the process of incorporation").
The statutes drafted by <a href="/" >alf</a> provide for, in the annex, the rules regarding the various documents and acts signed and/or signed by the shareholders on the company’s behalf. These documents will remain valid <a href="/en/faq/que-dois-je-faire-apres-limmatriculation-de-ma-societe" >once the company is incorporated</a>.
Concluding sales or providing other services is also possible for a company in the process of being incorporated; however, this is a more delicate question and we at <a href="/" >alf</a> can only recommend that you wait a few days until the process is complete. As <a href="/en/blog/quand-puis-je-emettre-ma-premiere-facture" >the issuance of invoices</a> can only be done by an incorporated company, it would be best for a company still in the process to issue quotes only.
Above all, should you have any other questions on the risks involved (on <a href="/en/faq/quelles-sont-les-informations-utiles-pour-obtenir-un-devis-dassurance-professionnelle" >insurance questions</a>, for example), <a href="/" >alf</a> advises you to consult an attorney who is best placed to advise you on your specific case.

Starting your business before the incorporation of your company is possible in theory but there are certain things of which you should remain wary. 

When can I start conducting my business and amassing clients?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">My company's certificate of incorporation (Kbis) contains mistakes: what should I do?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">First of all, do not panic! It is not irremediable at all. Our team is immediately going to correct the certificate of incorporation with the competent tribunal. This will not in any way invalidate your company’s certificate of incorporation (extrait Kbis).</h2>
<a href="/" >alf</a> even thinks it is a good thing that you spotted the mistake(s) on the certificate as from the moment of your company’s incorporation, the information mentioned on the certificate must be absolutely truthful and accurate.
The mistake(s) can have two causes. You might have incorrectly answer our intelligent questionnaire by giving the wrong details about your project (place of incorporation, date of creation…). Either it is due to the reviewing of your file by the tribunal: they rarely make mistakes but the risk still exists.
<a href="/" >alf</a> can perform for you the relevant corrections with the tribunal. The procedure only depends on your company’s <a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace" >legal form</a> as it differs a lot from one to another. Besides, a legal announcement will have to be written and published in order for third parties to be informed about the amendment.
<a href="/" >alf</a> stays at your disposal and gives <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >full assistance</a> so that you can get the appropriate certificate of incorporation. With your agreement, our legal experts will file the relevant administrative documents and hand them over to the competent tribunal.
You might still be wondering what is the point of correcting the certificate’s information. It is at the same time a matter of complying with legal requirements and nurturing your company’s reputation, even if there is only a tiny mistake. The French Kbis certificate is to some extent the ID card of your company, and many of your contacts with business actors, investors, administrations or banks will require you to be in possession of this certificate: this is something to be taken very seriously!
Our team of experts remains available <a href="/en/faq/que-dois-je-faire-apres-limmatriculation-de-ma-societe" >after your company’s incorporation</a>: they answer all your questions on <a href="/" >our website</a>!

Alf assists you so that you can obtain a Kbis whose information contained on your company or its corporate officers, are correct.

My company's certificate of incorporation (Kbis) contains mistakes: what should I do?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">How to change my business APE code?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">It is absolutely possible to change the APE code which was assigned by the French National Institute of Statistics (INSEE) to <a href="/en/faq/alf-cest-pour-qui" >your company</a>.</h2>
Every company in France is classified under the APE (activité principale de l'entreprise) scheme. It simply refers to the main activity carried out by your business. The INSEE has established an official list which is regularly updated.
Please note that the APE code does not determine <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quun-objet-social-et-a-quoi-ca-sert" >the activities</a> that can be carried out by your company. The document which matters most for this purpose is <a href="/en/faq/mon-kbis-contient-des-erreurs-est-ce-grave" >the incorporation certificate</a> (extrait Kbis) of your company issued by the competent tribunal.
You may need to amend this code, for one of the following reasons:
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">You would like to correct an anomaly: you can send a request by post mail or email to the competent regional directorate of the INSEE. Please <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com" >contact us</a> so we can give you more details about <a href="\/en" >our related services</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">You have changed of activity: <a href="\/en" >alf</a> will <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas" >amend your company's articles of incorporation</a> and contact the administration to make the appropriate changes.</li>
</ul>

The APE code corresponds to the main activity of your business in France. Every company is classified under an APE code by the INSEE.

How to change my business APE code?

<h1>What is the administrative form M0?</h1>
<h2>The M0 is a national administrative form which the <a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir" >company founders</a> must complete to finalise <a href="/en/faq/alf-cest-pour-qui" >their project</a>.</h2>
Once completed, the form allows the declaration of <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >creation of the company</a> with the CFE, which in turn advises the relevant administrative bodies (e.g. tax authority, INSEE and URSSAF).
There are different M0 forms: <a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace" >each company form</a> (SAS, SASU, SARL, EURL, SCI…) has a corresponding M0.
<a href="\/en" >alf</a>’s legal experts take care to fill out the M0 and conduct the necessary checks to guard against any information/document <a href="/en/faq/peut-on-contester-une-decision-du-greffe" >requests or rejections by the Greffe</a>. For example, we adapt <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quun-objet-social-et-a-quoi-ca-sert" >your social object</a> to your needs and your project, which requires some precision and much thought, as it is not a simple copy and paste. We choose <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quun-exercice-social-et-quand-dois-je-cloturer-les-comptes" >the end date of the accounting period</a> following a careful study of your file.
Thanks to <a href="/en/faq/principes-de-alf" >the experience of our legal team</a>, <a href="\/en" >alf</a> can greatly expedite the incorporation of your company, so that you can have your certificate of incorporation (<a href="/en/faq/mon-kbis-contient-des-erreurs-est-ce-grave" >Kbis</a>) in no time.
<a href="/en/faq/que-dois-je-faire-apres-limmatriculation-de-ma-societe" >Once the company is incorporated</a>, we dispose of the M0 form, as it is no longer necessary. Your company’s Kbis is now your reference document.

The M0 is a national administrative form which the company founders must complete to finalise their project. Each company form has a corresponding M0.

What is the administrative form M0?

<h1> What are the documents needed to create your company with alf? </h1>
<h2> You want to start a business in France? </h2> Here is a complete list of the documents you need to start your company creation process with Alf. You just have to provide us: 1. <a href="/faq/quest-ce-quune-piece-didentite-valide"> Passport or Identity Piece </a> 2. <a href="/faq/quest-ce-quun-justificatif-de-domicile-valide"> Proof of residence </a> less than 3 months old (electricity bill or bill of lading) gas, fixed phone etc.) <h2> We will prepare everything else: </h2> 3. Account squeezes for the debit of your social capital 4. The legal announcement of the registration of your company 5. The list of shareholders 6. The declaration of non-conviction 7. The power to register your company in France, outside of your personal presence. 8. The <a href="/blog/">statuses</a> of your company 9. The document relating to the actual beneficiary (s) of your company It is also important to know the relevant moment to create your company's been in France: As a general rule, it is recommended to register your company 1 month after the beginning of the year activity. Sometimes it is possible to wait a longer time, up to 6 months, especially if you do not have a lot of fees or no invoices to be issued for your customers, but be careful because in this case, you are personally responsible for all your activities. You can engage in the procedure: <ul><li> When you do business that may involve your personal responsibility </li><li> When you plan to raise money or unsubscribe to specific state aids when </li><li> when you are billing your first client.

Alf sums up the information you need before incorporating your company in France: the documents you'll need, the right moment to register...

General information

<h1>What if I want to bring a change to my company’s statutes?</h1>
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<h2>During a company’s lifespan, every entrepreneur may be required to implement important changes, which affect the articles of incorporation. A statutory modification should not be taken lightly, as it may have several consequences on the internal functioning of the company, but also exchanges with third parties.</h2>

To incorporate a company, the shareholders agree unanimously upon a set of rules and establish, more or less freely- always in accordance with applicable laws governing the form chosen - a pact. Changing the company’s statutes therefore can call into question this pact. However, it is completely understandable and normal that the shareholders decided to implement various statutory modifications: a company is a living entity, which must adapt to an ever-changing environment! The shareholders therefore cannot seek to insert a clause in the statutes which would prevent the modification of certain provisions.
Changing a company’s statutes therefore is the response to two necessities: to not  disproportionately alter the initially agreed-upon pact, all the while allowing the company to adequately respond to various challenges. As a result, the statutes can usually only be changed by a unanimous shareholders decision, unless a clause in the statutes provides otherwise.
Only the shareholders have the power to decide upon a statutory modification. This point is crucial, especially since a decision taken by another body can result in an indirect modification: such a decision will be null and void.
Even if the law makes no distinction between decisions made during Ordinary General Meetings and the decision to modify the statutes, the articles of incorporation generated and proposed by Alf also make special mention of the Extraordinary General Meeting decisions, which aim to modify the statutes.
In the case of the SAS, only a unanimous shareholder decision can result in a share capital change, in a merger or a liquidation. In other cases, however, the shareholders are free, to provide for other situations in which a unanimous shareholder decision during a General Meeting is necessary.
For an SCI, a statutory change can only occur following a unanimous shareholder decision, unless there is an express in the statutes which provides for a different definition of a majority.
To invoke a statutory change, at least three-quarters (if incorporated before August 4, 2005) or two-thirds (if incorporated after this date) of the shareholders of an SARL must be in agreement. It is not possible to bypass this rule by inserting a stricter rule in the statutes.
Furthermore, all statutory modifications must appear in the relevant publications in order to protect all interested third parties. This is the same formality which applies to the original statutes at the incorporation stage.
You’ll find below the various formalities proposed by Alf, which require a statutory modification.

<h2>1. relocate the company's headquarters </h2>

Your company’s articles of incorporation will certainly mention the headquarters. As such, a change of headquarters will require a statutory modification. A relocation must be decided by way of a General Meeting, with special conditions potentially applying according to the company’s form.
If your company is an SAS, you should refer to the articles of incorporation which indicate whether the decision to change headquarters must be made by the shareholders (according to the rules regarding the required quorum and voting methods) or whether another internal body (a specially-appointed board, for example) is competent. All depends on the degree of freedom the founding shareholders have established the SAS’ statutes.  
If your company is an SCI, the transfer is the result of a unanimous shareholder decision (usually following a General Meeting), unless there is a clause in the statutes which says differently. As such, the shareholders can establish their own rules regarding the transfer and set out different rules according to the change envisaged: transfer in the same department, in the same region, just outside of the region…
In the case of an SARL, even if this requires a statutory modification, the decision to relocate the headquarters must be taken by one or several shareholders who, in total, hold more than have of the shares.
In the event where a headquarters change results in a change in department, two separate legal publications will be made and extra tribunal fees will apply.
Alf handles your headquarter change from A to Z: we check your documents and organise, if necessary, a General Meeting, change your statutes and will get your Kbis updated. For more information, you can visit our website and contact our experts.
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2. Adding a shareholder
&nbsp;
The arrival of a new shareholder requires a modification of the share capital structure. The finalisation of this operation requires a vote during a General Meeting to approve the share capital review and issuance of new shares. In general, this will be the case during a share capital increase. 
The introduction of a new shareholder can also result in a share capital transfer.
Alf aims to facilitate the entry of a new shareholder: verification of your documents, filing with the tax authorities, application for an updated Kbis: our experts handle everything from start to finish!

<h2>3. Increase the company’s share capital</h2>
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The company’s share capital is the total of the investments made by the founders. It can be changed during the company’s lifespan for various reasons: the entry of investments, recapitalisation or activities aimed at growing the company.
In the case of the SAS, the decision to increase the share capital is taken collectively by the shareholders. In this regard, the SAS is therefore similar to the Société Anonyme (SA). It is the statutes which determine what constitutes a legitimate decision.
Should there be no statutory dispositions indicating the contrary, a decision to increase a company’s share capital must be made unanimously. 
The shareholders of an SARL can benefit from a more flexible regime for share capital increases through the incorporation of reserves or profits: the decision is made as if there were no statutory change, as such, by the majority of actions. Should this not be the case, the decision is made during an Extraordinary General Meeting (3/4 f incorporated before August 4, 2005 or ⅔ if incorporated after this date). A unanimous decision is required if the modification will result in an increase in the value of the shares.
The increase in share capital can be accompanied by underwriting, thereby resulting in the issuance of new shares. The underwriters can be existing shareholders or new shareholders who must be approved by the existing shareholders.
With Alf, the official documents will be automatically updated in the public registers and your contacts will be notified by a legal publication. We invite you to visit our dedicated page on our website for more information on our services and discuss with our experts.



<h2>4. Share transfers</h2>
&nbsp;
A share transfer will result in a statutory change: every company is based on a common agreement made by the shareholders with regard to the way and proportions which the capital is to be shared. The transfer of shares by a shareholder is therefore subject to the approval of the other shareholders. However, the shareholder who wishes to transfer his shares will never be forced to keep them, as they are ways which allow him/her to leave the company.
It is important to refer to the statutes and, if applicable, the shareholders’ agreement, which may limit the cases under which share transfer may occur. This documents may contain different clauses which have an impact on the procedure to be followed:
<ul>
<li>Approval clause: the shareholders have their say on the entry of a new shareholder (transferee)</li>
<li>Preemption clause: certain shareholders can opt to acquire  the shares up for transfer;</li>
<li>Preferential clause: the shareholder wishing to transfer his shares must first propose them to the individuals listed in this clause, before proposing to a third party.</li>
</ul>
It is recommended to draft a share transfer agreement, in which the names of the parties, the number of shares sold, the price of the transaction and the method of payment are indicated. Further, it is important to reproduce the document indicating the agreement of the other shareholders, as this may be key in the event of a disagreement.
With an SAS, the share transfer must be indicated in the company’s share register. The SAS’ articles of incorporation must be changed if they specify the capital split with the names of the shareholders. The same applies in the case of a transformation of an SAS into an SASU.
For the most part, a unanimous decision is required for any statutory modification of an SCI, unless less rigid conditions are listed in the articles of incorporation. A change of shareholders must be accompanied by a notification to the Registry of Commerce.
With regard to the SARL, the modification of the share capital split in the statutes in decided following an Extraordinary General Meeting, according to the quorums indicated above.
Should you choose to transfer your shares with Alf, we will generate your documents at an unbeatable price: we verify your documents, follow the transfer procedure provided for in your company’s statutes, modify your statutes, file the necessary paperwork the with competent tax authorities and propose, as an option, the drafting of  your share transfer agreement to be reviewed by your attorney.
Visit our website for more details!
&nbsp;
<h2>5. Change your company’s name</h2>

We invite you to visit our FAQ on how to change your company name.
The name chosen at the incorporation stage can be freely modified as many times as you wish during the company’s lifetime. The official documents will automatically be updated in the public registers and your contacts will be informed by a legal publication.
Visit our website to talk to our experts, who are more than happy to help.

Changes in your company’s statutes can be necessary during your company’s lifespan: when a shareholder leaves, when you want to change its share capital...

A change to your company’s statutes

<h1>What is the corporate purpose? How do I choose it?</h1>
&nbsp;
<h2>The corporate purpose is the generic description of your business activities, be they your main or secondary activities, your present or future activities.</h2>
The company’s purpose is exhaustively mentioned in the Articles of Association of your company. Solely your main activity will have to be reported to the French administration, and it will appear on your Certificate of incorporation (Kbis). Indeed, the only information needed by the Administration to determine your APE code or NAF code is your main activity.
These codes are important as they are the ones to set which collective agreement is applicable to your company accordingly to your business activity. Collective agreements set the rules for your company, regarding employment, but it also determines if your activity is regulated or not, and thus if you have any further steps to follow to incorporate your company.
It is often difficult to describe this activity – the jargon is generic, and we often wonder about the consequences of the use of one term or another (for example, marketplaces dealing with regulated activities may, depending on the language, fall into one category or another).
To simplify this step, <a href="\/en">Alf</a> uses your pitch and suggests you a draft of your main activity and your corporate purpose, checked by experts.
It should be noted that if during this review, we find that your social object falls within the regime of regulated activities and additional obligations, we will notify you by email of any additional steps to be taken and administrative costs for the incorporation of your company.
&nbsp;
Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/mon-kbis-contient-des-erreurs-est-ce-grave">I’ve noticed mistakes on my certificate of incorporation (Kbis): what should I do?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/la-denomination-sociale-quest-ce-que-cest-comment-la-choisir">My corporate name: how should I choose it?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-se-deroule-lobtention-des-numeros-siren-et-siret">How to obtain your SIREN and SIRET numbers</a>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a><o:p></o:p>

The corporate purpose is a key element that you, as an entrepreneur, have to determine as soon as the process of incorporation of your company begins.

How to describe my business activity and what is it for?

<h1>The corporate name: what is it? How to choose it? </h1>

<h2>The corporate name, “dénomination sociale” in French, simply designates the name of your company. The name of your company is important because it will be the first point of contact with your customer. Its purposes is to make your company stand out from competitors and it also helps to avoid being confused.</h2>

<h2>There are three ways to choose the name of your company:</h2>
<ul>
<li>First of all, you can choose a name related to your company's activity. The limit in the possibility of freely choosing this name will be confusion: two companies can’t have the same corporate name, so you’ll have to make sure no company has already taken the name you have chosen when you incorporate your company.</li>
<li>You can invent a name: in this case, the limits are the same: you cannot give the same corporate name as that of another company.</li>
<li>Last option: you can refer to your last name for the name of your company. There is, however, the limit of confusion with a famous name.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
It should also be recalled that if a company has several shareholders, and if the corporate name is one of the shareholder’s family name, the latter will not be able to request that his family name shall no longer be used as the corporate name, if one day he decides to leave the company. Indeed, it appears from the case-law that the company has a property right over the family name that has become the corporate name: the company can therefore sell the corporate name, it can also register a trademark, etc.
&nbsp;
There is one exception to this rule: if a partner's name is used as a company name and that name is known before the company is incorporated, the partner will not be able to prevent the company from keeping its name as a company name, but the company will nevertheless have limited rights over that name: it will not be able to sell the name or register a trademark, for example. The name will only be used as the corporate name.
Changing your company name requires an amendment to your company's articles of association. <a href="\/en">alf</a> takes care of all the steps allowing you to change your corporate name in less than 24 hours! This includes checking your documents, holding the General Assembly of Amendment, amending the Articles of Association and sending your amended Kbis upon receipt.
&nbsp;
Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/dois-je-deposer-ma-marque-avant-de-lancer-ma-societe">When to register your trademark</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-difference-entre-un-nom-de-societe-le-nom-commercial-ou-la-marque">The difference between your company name, brand and trade name</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quun-objet-social-et-a-quoi-ca-sert">The utility of the corporate purpose for your company</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

The choice of your corporate name is a very important step when creating your company, because it is the first point of contact with your clients.

The corporate name: what is it? How to choose it?

<h1>What is a financial year and when do I have to proceed to the closure of the accounts?</h1>
&nbsp;
<h2>A financial year is a period of time that represents a complete cycle of the company's economic activity. One can indistinctly use  the term of financial year or fiscal year.</h2>
A financial year is defined by an opening date and a closing date. In general, a financial year is a twelve-month period of time.
However, there may be some exceptions, especially for the first financial year of a company. Indeed, the first financial year can last a maximum of 23 months. However, there then is one specific rule to respect: the financial year must not be spread over more than two calendar years.
For example, if the opening of the first financial year is on June 1 of year N, it must be closed by December 31 of year N+1 at the latest.
Similarly, if the first financial year is opened on 1 January of year N, it must be closed by 30 November of year N+1 at the latest. (23 months maximum)
&nbsp;
<h2>Alf gives you some advice on how to best choose the closing date of your financial year:</h2>
<ul>
<li>First of all, you should  avoid closing your accounts in the middle of a month. You should prefer closing them at the end of a quarter (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31).</li>
<li>Choose the time of year when your company's activity is at its lowest, so that you can have enough time to manage the necessary steps to close your financial year properly.</li>
<li>If this is your first financial year, do not hesitate to close the financial year as late as possible, in order to avoid a deficit as much as possible and to get a profit and loss account that is as representative as possible of the reality of your business.</li>
</ul>
In practice, companies often choose a first closing date that is approximately 18 months after the company's registration and, the closure of the accounts is often set in September or October to avoid the December 31st rush, and tax processing delays.
&nbsp;
As a reminder, <a href="\/en">alf</a> makes a point of stressing that the duration of your company's financial year may be modified by amending your company's articles of incorporation, which is possible by organizing an Extraordinary General Meeting.

<a href="\/en">alf</a> assists you in the creation of your company, as well as the management of all <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">your company's paperwork</a>. To learn more, visit <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">our dedicated page</a>.
&nbsp;
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/que-faut-il-indiquer-sur-ma-facture">Your first invoices: what should they include?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-lechiffre">Our partnership with the firm of chartered accountants LeChiffre</a>
<a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche">The registration process with Alf</a>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-organiser-une-assemblee-generale">What you need to know about General Meetings</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;

The date chosen for the closure of your financial year must be thought through, for various reasons. Made in Law gives you some advice on how to choose it.

What is the financial year ("exercice social") and when does it end for the first year?

What is financial year and when does it end the first year?

<h1>What do I need to do after the incorporation of my company?</h1>

<h2>Usually, the steps to comply with after the incorporation of your company are the following: </h2>
<ul>
<li>recover the share capital – In order to do so, you will have to open a bank account</li>
<li>open accounts with all the beneficial service providers (accountant, insurance, etc.)</li>
<li>register for taxes and VAT</li>
<li>declare your VAT every semester</li>
<li>declare the Corporate Real Property tax (Contribution Foncière des Entreprises in French)  before 31/12</li>
<li>deposit the company’s accounts at the closure of the financial year</li>
<li>keep the records of the decisions made in General Meetings and complete them gradually</li>
<li>Eventually, for your documents and correspondences, you should consider modifying your letterhead. You should also make sure to mention all the mandatory legal notices on your website.</li>
</ul>
All documents issued by the company and addressed to third parties must indicate the corporate name, preceded or followed immediately by the name of the legal form of the company, for instance SAS or SARL, SASU, or EURL if you are the only shareholder in your company. The amount of share capital, as well as the headquarters and the place and registration number of the Company should also be mentioned in the documents issued by your company.
You get the picture: the management of your company's paperwork is tedious and you don't have time to waste on these repetitive tasks, when you have a business to run. 
<a href="\/en">alf</a> assists you in order for you to <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporate your company</a> and to <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">manage your company's paperwork</a>. Everything is automated, your legal paperwork is generated automatically and accordingly to your needs. In this way, you don't have to waste time on your company's administrative and legal paperwork.
&nbsp;
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace">The best legal form of company for a startup</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/quel-est-le-role-de-alf">Alf and your VAT paperwork</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris">Our partnership with the bank Crédit Mutuel</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;

The incorporation of your company is the key step, but be cautious! Some next few steps are necessary in order to properly launch your business...

What do I need to do after incorporation?

<h1>What should I include in my invoice?</h1>

<h2>All invoices issued by a registered company must include the following legal notices:</h2>
<ul>
<li>The company's identification number, assigned by the INSEE</li>
<li>The mention RCS, followed by the name of the city where the company registered at the Trade and Companies Register (RCS in French)</li>
<li>The place of the company's headquarters, and if need be, state that the company is in liquidation</li>
<li>If you benefit from a contract to support your business project  (contrat d’appui au projet d’entreprise pour la création et la reprise d'une activité économique), by which, a company supports you in your business project, it will also be necessary to specify the name of this company, the place of its registered office, and its identification number.</li>
<li>The invoice number</li>
<li>The date on which the invoice is issued</li>
</ul>
You must provide an invoice to your customers after each sale, published in duplicate (the first copy is provided to your customer and you keep the second in your accounts).
With <a href="\/en">alf</a>, you have an invoice template in French and English in your dashboard.
Please note that if you do not comply with these mandatory notices, you may be fined.
&nbsp;
<h2>Do I have to wait for my company's registration before issuing my first invoice?</h2>
No, you can issue invoices even if your company has not been registered yet.
Indeed, as soon as the incorporation process starts with <a href="/en">Alf</a>, you need to indicate:
<ul>
<li>On all official documents and communications: Company Name + Company Form + Full address + Total Capital + Registration number and location and the words : “en cours d’immatriculation”</li>
<li>On your invoice: on the bottom page of the invoice, “Numéro TVA en attente d’immatriculation”, meaning "VAT number pending".</li>
</ul>
Those information will have to be updated once your company is incorporated.
&nbsp;
Read more:
<a href="/en/blog/quand-puis-je-emettre-ma-premiere-facture">When is it possible to issue your first invoice?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-choisir-le-siege-social">The headquarters: what is it?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-lechiffre">Our partner LeChiffre</a>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a><o:p></o:p>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

You have just incorporated your French company, you can now issue invoices. Here are the legal notices that you need to include in them...

What should I include in my invoice?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">How can I obtain my SIREN and SIRET numbers?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">The 9-digit SIREN is a unique number which permits the identification of <a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche" >companies registered in France</a>. With the SIREN, one can obtain certain information on the company concerned (e.g. <a href="/en/faq/comment-choisir-le-siege-social" >address</a>, date of creation etc.). <a href="/en" >alf</a> facilitates your acquisition of a SIREN, as it will be automatically be attributed upon incorporation by the French administrative body, l’INSEE .</h2>
Similarly, you are designated a SIRET the same time as your SIREN - along with the 9 digits of your SIREN, there are 5 additional digits which represent your NIC code. The NIC is an internal rating number, individual to each establishment of the same company.
Your SIREN and SIRET therefore contribute to <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >the establishment of your company’s legal existence</a>.
Our experts therefore accompany each step of the way to make the creation of your company a cakewalk: please <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >visit our website</a> for more information.

Alf simplifies each step to get your company’s registration  numbers (SIREN and SIRET).

How can I obtain my SIREN and SIRET numbers?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What is a valid identity document?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Proof of identity is generally asked in <a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche" >our smart questionnaires</a> when you buy one of <a href="/en/paperwork/tva" >our services</a>, for administrative reasons. The identity documents which are accepted are national identity cards - only for EEA and Swiss nationals - and international passports.</h2>
In most situations, for non-EEA nationals, a visa bearing the mention "commercial activity" is also requested by the authorities to process your application.
A valid ID document is a document that is not expired: documents bearing expiration dates that have passed are not acceptable. We usually recommend that your ID be valid for at least three months at the time you fill out our questionnaire: it is not a mandatory rule, rather a tip to ensure that your application will not be <a href="/faq/peut-on-contester-une-decision-du-greffe" >rejected</a> by the administration.
Your ID can be scanned using a scanner, or a smartphone provided that it is of good quality. Your personal details should be easy to read.
For an ID card, please scan the two sides. For a passport, we need both the page with your personal details and the one bearing your signature. On some passports, the signature is on the same page as the holder's details: should it be your case, you only need to provide this page.
Our experts are at your disposal to reply to your questions: please <a href="\/en" >visit our website</a> for more information. Should we encounter any difficulties with your identity documents, you will be contacted as soon as possible to solve the problem and not make the process <a href="/faq/quels-sont-les-delais-du-greffe-pour-lobtention-du-kbis-de-ma-societe" >any longer</a>.

You might be asked to provide a valid ID document. It is usually either a national ID card or an international passport. Click for more details.

What is a valid identity document?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What is a valid proof of address?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Proof of address is a very important document when it comes to dealing with the French administration, especially for <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >the incorporation of a company</a> with the competent tribunal: executive directors must provide proof of their address in France to complete their application.</h2>
In France, as in many other countries in the world, a residence certificate can be issued by local authorities. It contains your personal details and your current address.
Other documents can be provided:
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Tax return;</li>
<li>Electricity, gas or water bill;</li>
<li>Telephone or internet bill;</li>
<li>Proof of ownership or rent receipt;</li>
<li>Proof of home insurance.</li>
</ul>
If you live with family, friends or relatives, you must provide a proof of residency letter written by them, along with their own <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quune-piece-didentite-valide" >identity document</a> (identity card or passport) and proof of address.
Please note that the documents must be dated no later than three months from the application date.
<a href="\/en" >alf</a> carefully checks your file and the attached documents. Should our experts encounter any difficulties with the documents you provided, you will be contacted as soon as possible in order not to make the process any longer.

Valid proof of address is usually requested by the French administration to process your application. Made in Law gives you a list of acceptable documents.

What is a valid proof of address?

<h1>Can we challenge a rejection decision of the tribunal?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">If your application is complete and all the information is correct, the Greffe will immediately approve <a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche" >the company’s incorporation</a>.</h2>
However, the Tribunal may also consider that your file is incomplete and ask that you communicate certain information or missing documents within the 2 weeks following the notification. At this stage, the Tribunal will not accept an appeal of any sort - you simply are to submit the requested documents. Please note, however, that the Greffe may be contacted by telephone should you require any further information. <a href="\/en" >alf</a> will liaise with the Greffe and <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >supply them with any documents or information requested</a>. 
The Tribunal will validate your incorporation request if it is of the view that all of the required information and documentation has been provided. 
However, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Tribunal can refuse to incorporate your company. The decision to refuse incorporation is sent within one working day. A definitive refusal remains, however, very rare!
The decision to refuse incorporation must be justified and provide the possibility for the applicant to file an appear before the RCS. Should you be faced with a refusal and wish to file an appeal, it would be best contacting your counsel.
For more information, please <a href="\/en" >visit our site</a> or <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com" >drop us a message</a>.

A decision to refuse incorporation remains very rare. The tribunal may however ask that you communicate missing information or documents.

Can we challenge a rejection decision of the tribunal?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What is the general waiting time to get the company’s certificate of incorporation?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">From the date your application is made to the competent tribunal by <a href="\/en" >alf</a>, there is a general waiting time of 2 business days before your Kbis is issued. In certain cases, your waiting time can be shorter.</h2>
Of course, the waiting time will depend on Tribunal staffing and workload at the time of application. For example, during school vacation periods or bank holidays, the response time will be slightly slowed.
<a href="\/en" >made in law</a> accompanies you during the entire process and keeps you <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >regularly informed at every step of way</a>. With our tailored service, there is no longer any need to worry about the back and forth exchanges with the French administration: we will notify you of our discussions with them and will inform you of the progression of your application.

From the date your application is made, there is a general waiting time of 3 business days before your certificate of incorporation (Kbis) is issued.

What is the general waiting time to get the company’s certificate of incorporation?

How long does it takes to get company's certificate of incorporation?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What is a regulated activity?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Some activities can only be carried out if the conditions stipulated by the regulations about the required certificates, diplomas, traineeships, authorizations or insurance are fulfilled (examples: sale of alcohol, VTC, real estate agent, pharmacist, doctor, etc.).</h2>
We provide you with a non-exhaustive list of the most common activities. If in doubt, please consult the list of regulated activities on the <a href="https://bit.ly/2hJ1lsj" >PACE website</a>. If you fall under one of these activities, additional formalities will be required and additional administrative costs are expected.
For further information, you can watch our <a href="https://bit.ly/2iklmoU" >video</a>.
<a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >Once your company is created</a>, your registration file is sent to the relevant administration regulating your activity including INSEE. The later has the ability to review your activity and collect missing information or demand additional documents if your activity is qualified as regulated.
Today there are more than 100 regulated activities which are subject to the special requirements (diploma, insurance or other). Don’t forget to consult them before starting to practice your business activity. Note that in such case, additional costs are due upon your situation.
For your convenience, here is a list of all the regulated activities, which contains requirements and the legislation concerning these activities.
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><a href="https://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/fr/activites-reglementees/#Alimentation" >Food</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/fr/activites-reglementees/#Batiment-immobilier" >Real estate, buildings</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/fr/activites-reglementees/#Enseignement" >Teaching</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/fr/activites-reglementees/#Expertise" >Expertise</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/fr/activites-reglementees/#Negoce" >Real estate, negotiation and sales</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/fr/activites-reglementees/#Secteur-animalier" >Animals</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/fr/activites-reglementees/#Secteur-financier-juridique" >Legal and financial services</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/fr/activites-reglementees/#Tourisme-loisirs-culture" >Tourism, Culture, Entertainment</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/fr/activites-reglementees/#Autres-services" >Other services</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="\/en" >alf</a> always checks your activity description to anticipate any administrative blockers. We’re here to help.

In France, regulated activities can only be carried out if the conditions stipulated by the relevant regulations are fulfilled.

What is a regulated activity?

<h1>What is a craft activity?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Definition: a craft activity is a service, production, processing, or repair activity carried out by a <a href="/en/faq/les-procedures-sont-elles-plus-fastidieuses-si-je-choisis-dexercer-une-activite-artisanale" >qualified professional</a>, and which requires specific skills and know-how.</h2>
By their characteristics, the craft activities are distinguished from other types of activities including commercial, liberal and agricultural.
Here is <a href="https://www.cma-paris.fr/creer-reprendre/par-ou-commencer/les-conditions-d-immatriculation-au-rm" >the list</a> of <a href="/en/faq/a-quoi-correspond-la-liste-des-activites-artisanales" >crafts activities</a> which have to be <a href="/en/faq/comment-se-deroule-lenregistrement-au-repertoire-des-metiers" >registered at the Chamber of Trades and Crafts</a>. Any independent professional who wishes to practice these trades must, therefore, go through the Chamber of Trades and Crafts.
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>food;</li>
<li>building;</li>
<li>manufacturing;</li>
<li>services.</li>
</ul>
Keep in mind that craft activities are subject to the <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quune-profession-reglementee" >special regulations</a> and additional fees which can be different for each business activity. Attention, exercising a craft activity without being registered in the Chamber of Trades and Crafts is punished with a fine of 37,500 euros (article 24 law №96-603 of 05/07/1996). For more information, we invite you to visit the website of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of your business address registry.

A craft activity is a service, production, processing, or repair activity carried out by a qualified professional, it requires specific skills and know-how.

What is a craft activity?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">Is the registration process for craft activities tedious?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">When you introduce <a href="/en/faq/alf-cest-pour-qui" >your company project</a> to our team, by answering <a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche" >one of our intelligent questionnaires</a>, you are requested to determine as precisely as possible the nature of your future company's <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quun-objet-social-et-a-quoi-ca-sert" >business activity</a>. </h2>
Administrative paperwork to be filled in, tax rules, management rules, and labor standards differ according to according to the chosen activity. Craft activity is one of the many types of activities in France: among them can also be found commercial/business, industrial, liberal and agricultural activities.
Craft activities encompass production, transformation and service provision which pertain to craft, thanks to a unique know-how. These activities can be carried out by individuals and juridical persons. A company carrying out a craft activity cannot have more than 10 employees.
Craft activities are identified on an official list of more than 200.
Becoming artisan or craftsperson is not a straightforward matter at all, the same applies for registering your activity with the Répertoire des métiers. People who are willing to carry out this type of activity must hold <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quune-profession-reglementee" >specific French diplomas/certificates</a>. A certain number of documents must be filed, including full details of the required qualifications.
<a href="\/en" >alf</a> help you frame your answers, using the most appropriate words. When you do not fulfill the training conditions, it is better to study other options and avoid being stuck with demanding conditions. However, we recommend that you contact a lawyer before answering our questionnaire: they will be best suited to your needs.

Want to become an artisan? The orientation training program is not mandatory anymore to start your business and carry on craft activities in France.

Is the registration process tedious for craft activities?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What is the orientation training program for craft activities?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">The orientation training program (stage de préparation à l'installation) used to be mandatory for <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >entrepreneurs</a> with a <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quune-activite-artisanale" >craft activity</a>. They had to fulfill this prerequisite to be registered with the competent Répertoire des métiers.</h2>
<a href="/en/blog/loi-pacte-pour-les-entrepreneurs" >The PACTE law</a> which partially came into force on May 24, 2019 made the training program optional for future craftsmen. From now on, they can <a href="/en/faq/les-procedures-sont-elles-plus-fastidieuses-si-je-choisis-dexercer-une-activite-artisanale" >start their activity in France quicker</a> than ever!
However, the orientation training program has not vanished and it is still possible to register on a voluntary basis.
The program is designed such that you can start your craft activity in the best conditions and avoid traps and mistakes. Young entrepreneurs are taught fundamentals of the following subjects: craft sectors; regulatory framework; accountancy; tax &amp; social contributions; management. 
You can register on site at your department's Chambre des métiers. The training lasts 30 hours, over 4 or 5 days. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be issued a certificate, which used to be requested by the French administration to register your business.
For more details, please visit <a href="\/en" >our website</a> or <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com" >contact our team</a>.

In France, craft occupations are regulated activities. The government established a list which includes more than 200 craft trades.

What is the orientation training program for craft activities?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What is the official list of craft activities?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">If you want to carry out one of the numerous craft trades included on the official list of <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quune-activite-artisanale" >craft activities</a>, you will have to register with the competent Chambre des métiers.</h2>
This official list is established by the French government and is intended to inform the craft companies that have less than 10 employees. This list includes about 250 craft activities.
As opposed to industrial activity, craft work is much less divided, repetitive, and manual tasks prevail. Craft activities are rather a matter of know-how: this is the reason why creating a craft company with <a href="\/en" >Alf</a> can <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >make your dream project a reality</a>.
Craft activities form part of this official list because they are legally <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quune-profession-reglementee" >regulated</a>, that is, the French administration, including the Chambre des métiers imposes <a href="/en/faq/les-procedures-sont-elles-plus-fastidieuses-si-je-choisis-dexercer-une-activite-artisanale" >specific obligations</a>. Most craft activities cannot be carried out if you do not have the right qualifications (diplomas, certificates, professional experience...). Please note that <a href="/en/what-is-the-orientation-training-program-for-craft-activities/" >the orientation training programme</a> (stage de préparation à l'installation) is not mandatory anymore.
The official list is composed of four main categories: services, manufacturing, food and construction. The classification can be found <a href="https://www.entreprises.gouv.fr/files/files/directions_services/secteurs-professionnels/artisanat/nafa/nomenclature_nafa_rev2.pdf" >here</a>. We highly recommend that you take a look at it to find the activity that best suits your needs and that you contact a lawyer.
<a href="\/en">alf</a> assists innovative entrepreneurs from a wide range of sectors. Please visit <a href="\/en" >our website</a> or <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com" >contact our team</a> for more details about our services.

What is the official list of craft activities?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">How does the registration with the Chambre des métiers work in practice?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">If you carry out <a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quune-activite-artisanale" >craft activities</a> (production, transformation, repair, service provision) and have less than 10 employees, you <a href="/en/faq/les-procedures-sont-elles-plus-fastidieuses-si-je-choisis-dexercer-une-activite-artisanale" >must be registered</a> in the Répertoire des métiers of your department's Chambre des métiers.</h2>
<a href="\/en" >alf</a> helps you <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >file the relevant administrative and legal documents</a>. Our experts hand over to the competent Chambre des métiers your application for incorporation. This must be done at least one month before you start your craft activity.
You will then be notified by our team when the Chambre des métiers issues a confirmation bearing the mention "in the process of incorporation". This confirmation enables you to deal with the administration and private actors such as <a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris" >banks</a>, investors, <a href="/en/faq/quelles-sont-les-informations-utiles-pour-obtenir-un-devis-dassurance-professionnelle" >insurance</a> companies, etc <a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche" >before your company's incorporation</a>.
Craft companies are generally incorporated within a period of max. two months. We will eventually take care of the legal announcement.
Our legal experts answer all your questions on <a href="\/en" >our website</a>!

Alf helps you incorporate your craft company in France. We assist you in the registration of your craft activity with the Chambre des métiers.

How does the registration with the Chambre des métiers work in practice?

<h1>How many shareholders should there be in my company?</h1>


<h2>There are different regulations regarding the number of shareholders in French companies. Depending on the legal form of your company, you may be required to have a minimum number or maximum number of shareholders.</h2>

The SAS's most conspicuous feature is its very flexible organizational mode. As a result, the number of shareholders required to incorporate a SAS can freely be chosen. You can validly incorporate a SAS by being the only shareholder, in this case it will be a SASU. There is no maximum limit in the number of shareholders either.
On the other hand, if you incorporate a SARL, the number of shareholders is more regulated than that of the SAS. There is no minimum in the number of shareholders: you can incorporate a SARL as the sole shareholder, it will then be a EURL. However, there must not be more than a hundred shareholders, since the SARL is a company considered to be founded on an intuitu personae basis. Indeed, a SARL is a legal form of company chosen when the company is founded by shareholders in consideration of the relationships that exist between them. Thus, if the SARL has more than 100 partners, it will be necessary to regularize the situation within one year, or else, you will have to transform the legal form of the company.
The incorporation of a SCI (civil real estate company) is regulated by the French Civil Code. As a result, its constitution can only be valid if it the company has at least two shareholders. The law does not mention a maximum number of shareholders, however.
In any case, while the choice of the number of shareholders remains almost totally yours for the formation of any company, you must keep in mind that all shareholders will be able to be part of the process of decision making for your company, within the framework of General meetings. You have to be able to get the majority of votes in order for your decisions to be valid. As a result, the more shareholders there are, the trickier your decision-making process gets. This can hinder your company’s growth at some point. When forming your company, you should thus try and limit the number of shareholders. With your company’s growth, there will always be opportunities to open the share capital to new shareholders.
&nbsp;
Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-duree-de-mandat-dun-dirigeant">The term of a corporate office</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace">The best legal form of company for a startup</a>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-organiser-une-assemblee-generale">What you need to know about General Meetings</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;

The maximum and minimum number of shareholders required to form a company depends on the chose legal form of the company...

How many founders should there be?

<h1>How can I invest in a company?</h1>
<h2>You can become a shareholder of a company, either personally or through a pre-existing company. In both cases, you can be a director, investor or both. The sole difference resides in the level of liability that you wish to assume.</h2>

Individually, your name will be on the articles of incorporation of the now company as shareholder and if you are also, the director, you will also personally be liable up to an amount equal to your investment (see our article on the liability of directors).
Should invest via the intermediary of a pre-existing company, it will become a shareholder. The signatory of the incorporation documents must therefore be legally empowered to sign on behalf of the company (e.g. a director or another member with Power of Attorney). This company as a shareholder can also combine his functions as a director, in which case he will designate a physical person to represent. The liability linked to the CEO will therefore be on the company/
For more information, don’t hesitate to consult <a href="\/en">our website</a>.
Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/comment-repartir-le-capital-et-les-pouvoirs-entre-mes-associes">The distribution of share capital among shareholders</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir">The number of shareholders in your company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/est-ce-que-je-peux-etre-dirigeant-et-salarie-de-la-societe">The combination of an employment contract and a corporate mandate: how does it work?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-de-capital-social-1e-2e-ou-10-000e">Your share capital : how to set the amount ?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-difference-entre-le-president-en-tant-que-personne-physique-et-personne-morale">When can I appoint a person or a business as CEO ?</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

One can invest in a company in different ways. Alf gives you some details on how to enter the share capital of a company...

Who can invest in a company?

<h1>What if a shareholder does not comply with the provisions of the shareholders' agreement? </h1>




<h2>The shareholders' agreement is a contract, therefore, the violation of the clauses of the agreement by a shareholder is first governed by the ordinary law of contracts.</h2>
In the event of a breach of the agreement by a shareholder, the latter is contractually liable and may be required to pay damages. To incur the contractual liability of the offending shareholder, it will be necessary to prove the existence of a damage directly caused by the breach of the agreement.
In addition, the forced execution of contractual obligations can be considered in some exceptional cases. This is possible in particular when the breached obligation is a duty to act (for example, in the context of the breach of a non-competition provision). The enforcement of an obligation under the shareholders' agreement can sometimes be more in line with the interests of creditors than a simple payment of damages. This is particularly the case when the commitments involves transfers of shares (pre-emption clauses, tag-along or drag-along provisions, etc.)



<h2>However, the shareholders may provide for conventional arrangements within the framework of the shareholders' agreement in order to set other sanctions than the payment of damages and the forced execution of some obligations. Here are some provisions to do so:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Penalty clauses: these clauses can be considered "punitive" because they make it possible to set an amount of compensation to be paid by the shareholder who has violated a provision of the agreement in proportion to the consequences of the violation of the obligation. The amount provided for may be amended by the judge.</li>
<li>Exit clauses: these clauses retroactively lead to the termination of the shareholders' agreement in the event of non-compliance with the obligations mentioned in it. This is particularly the case for deadlock clauses and resolutory clauses.</li>
</ul>
 
<a href="\/en">alf</a> provides you with a shareholders' agreement with the necessary clauses to secure and ensure the viability of your company, as soon as your company is incorporated.


Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/le-pacte-dassocies-est-il-utile-si-je-suis-seul-fondateur">An introduction to shareholders' agreement</a>
<a href="/en/faq/que-contient-mon-pacte-dassocies">The content of your shareholders' agreement</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir">The number of shareholders in your company</a><o:p></o:p>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a><o:p></o:p>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

A shareholder that breaches the shareholders’ agreement to which he committed is contractually liable. Here are the sanctions this shareholder may face...

What if a shareholder does not comply with the provisions of the shareholders’ agreement?

What if a shareholder does not comply with the shareholders' agreement?

<h1>How to remove or change an executive (CEO or C-level)?</h1>

<h2>The rules for removing directors differ according to two factors:</h2>
<ul>
<li>The legal form of the company</li>
<li>The company's Articles of Association</li>
</ul>
<h2>In the event of the removal of an executive in an SAS, the conditions for the removal of the CEO are freely provided for in the Articles of Association (terms for the exercise, quorum). </h2>
As a result, it is possible to plan a revocation with or without prior notice, with or without notice, be it on reasonable ground or not. In any case, the removal of the CEO of an SAS must not be abusive in the sense understood by the case law, i.e. the dismissal must not be sudden, vexatious or humiliating, under penalty of being liable for damages. 
<h2>In the event of the removal of the head of an SARL, the rules are outlined in the French trade legislation. The revocation is valid as long as the voting conditions are met:</h2>
<ul>
<li>An absolute majority will be required at the first convening of the ordinary general meeting</li>
<li>A relative majority will be required on second notice of meeting </li>
</ul>
As in the case of a dismissal of an SAS officer, the abusive dismissal of a SARL manager may result in the payment of damages.
In addition, if the corporate mandate is associated with an employment contract, then the removal of the head of the SARL may be compensated by the payment of damages based on his last gross annual salary.
<h2>In the case of a SCI, the manager may be dismissed by decision of the shareholders representing more than half of the shares.  As is the case with an SARL or an SAS, the abusive dismissal of the manager of an SCI may give rise to the payment of damages.</h2>

Read more: 
<a href="/en/blog/quel-role-pour-le-president-sas"> The role of the President of an SAS</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir">The number of shareholders in your company</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/que-dois-je-faire-apres-limmatriculation-de-ma-societe">After your incorporation: what is left to do?</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

The rules for the revocation of a C-level executive hinge on the legal form of the company. Here are the applicable rules for an SARL, an SAS, and an SCI...

How can one change a director (CEO or C-level)?

<h1>Can I work under both a corporate mandate and an employment contract for the same company?</h1>
 
<h2>The head of a company works under a corporate mandate, not an employment contract.</h2>
<h2>To answer this question, a distinction must be made between cases, depending on the legal form of the company. However, the combination of a corporate mandate and an employment contract is only possible if some essential conditions are met:</h2>

<ul>
<li>The employment contract must be effective</li>
<li>The functions provided for in the employment contract must be different from those provided for in the corporate mandate</li>
<li>The remuneration provided for in the employment contract must grant technical functions different from the functions remunerated under the corporate mandate</li>
<li>It is necessary to prove the existence of a subordinate relationship to the company</li>
</ul>
 
In the case of an SAS, it is possible to work under both your employment contract and your corporate mandate the functions of manager and employee of the company by meeting these conditions mentioned above.
 In the case of an SARL, the head of the company works under a corporate mandate. As a result, he/she receives a remuneration that is not a salary. For him/her to be able to combine his corporate mandate with an employment contract, the employment contract must be valid. However, among the conditions to be met for an employment contract to be valid as mentioned above, a subordinate relationship must exist. In principle, the head of the SARL is subordinate to the General Meeting, as the latter has the power to dismiss him. As a result, it appears from case-law that the combination of a corporate mandate and an employment contract is not possible for the majority managing shareholder. The combination of the functions of a corporate mandate and an employment contract is therefore in principle possible for the minority managing shareholder and for the equal managing partner.



Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-difference-entre-le-president-en-tant-que-personne-physique-et-personne-morale">When can I appoint a person or a business as CEO ?</a>
<a href="/en/blog/quel-role-pour-le-president-sas">The role of the head of an SAS</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace">The best legal form of company when incorporating a startup</a><o:p></o:p>
 
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

The remuneration of a corporate mandate can be set differently depending on the legal form of the company (SAS, SARL etc.)

Can one combine a corporate mandate and an employment contract?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">How are share capital and control divided among shareholders?</h1>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;">You choose the role of each shareholder in the company and the share of capital.</h2>

The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and the other C-level executives (Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Technical Officer, Chief Finance Officer, etc.) shall have the same signing authority and one may replace another (very efficient during vacations!). There will remain other investors who do not have a corporate mandate. As a result, they will only have powers when voting on decisions during General meetings.
Investors consider that an equitable distribution between the partners is a guarantee of success and an equal level of commitment because everyone is encouraged to invest, and equality is the best engine. The only caveat is when there are two partners at 50/50 – pay attention to egalitarian distributions since a disagreement between partners could block the operations of the company and important decisions.
Whatever your decision, the initial distribution of share capital and control over the company is bound to evolve, depending on the success and the opportunities that your company will encounter. As a result, we recommend you to spread the capital according to the level of investment of each shareholder.
<a href="\/en">alf</a> assists you in <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporating you company</a> in France, as well as <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">managing all your company’s paperwork</a>. To discover our services, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>.
Read more: 

<a href="/en/faq/comment-organiser-une-assemblee-generale">What you need to know about General Meetings</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace">The best legal form of company when incorporating a startup</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-de-capital-social-1e-2e-ou-10-000e">Your share capital : how to set the amount ?</a><o:p></o:p>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;

The distribution of share capital between shareholders has to be thought through: the shareholders’ involvement in the project should be taken into account.

How are share capital and control divided among shareholders?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">One of <a href="/en/faq/comment-repartir-le-capital-et-les-pouvoirs-entre-mes-associes" >the shareholders</a> is a foreign company: is that an issue?</h1>

<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>If the foreign company is a minority shareholder, this should not be a problem, the registration deadlines with the RCS normally remain unchanged.</li>
<li>If the foreign company is the majority shareholder, its corporate officer will have to complete a declaration of <a href="/en/faq/la-declaration-des-beneficiaires-effectifs-quest-ce-que-cest" >persons of significant control (PSC)</a>. Following the ordinance of 1 December 2016, which strengthens the French anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations, <a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche" >companies incorporating with the RCS</a> must <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas#commencer-formalite" >identify their persons of significant control</a>. Administrative verifications of the register of persons of significant control of the company by the administration may lengthen the amount of time the application is before the RCS.</li>
</ul>
<a href="\/en" >alf</a> will <a href="/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >keep you informed of the progress of your file</a> and will contact the competent administrative body, if necessary.

If the foreign company is the majority shareholder, its corporate officer will have to complete a declaration of persons of significant control (PSC).

One of the shareholders is a foreign company: is that an issue?

<h1>How long is the term of a corporate mandate in a SAS?</h1>
&nbsp;
<h2>As a quick reminder, the legal form of the SAS is favored by startups for its main advantage: its flexible organization. Indeed, almost anything can be set as a rule in the provisions of the company's articles of association.</h2>

As a result, regarding the term of corporate mandates in a SAS, the articles of association of a SAS must mention:
<ul>
<li>The competent body to appoint C-level executives</li>
<li>The quorum required for the appointment to be valid (simple majority or unanimity)</li>
<li>The duration of the executive's term of office</li>
</ul>
Be careful, however, the first President must be directly appointed in the Articles of Incorporation of the company.
The conditions of appointment of the President that are mentioned in the Articles of Association will then apply to the president succeeding to the first one (the one that was directly appointed in the Articles of Incorporation).
For the President of a SAS, it is appropriate to mention in the Articles of Association the duration of his term of office. Should there be no mention of the duration of his term of office, the latter will automatically be set for an indefinite period of time. This means that the president will keep his term of office during the whole company’s life.
Similarly, for the managing director of a SAS, the Articles of Association must mention the duration of his duties. They can also be unlimited.
In general, as part of the constitution of your SAS, the President and every other corporate office executives are, to start with, appointed for an indefinite period of time, and at most for the duration of the President's mandate in order to maintain the team in place, or to replace/renew it if the President leaves the team. This is the option we recommend.
<a href="\/en">alf</a> provides you with Articles of Association that are perfectly suited to your needs when you incorporate your company. For more information, please visit <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">our page dedicated to the incorporation of your company</a>.
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace">The best legal form of company for a startup</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir">The number of shareholders in your company</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-organiser-une-assemblee-generale">What you need to know about General Meetings</a>
<a href="/en/faq/la-denomination-sociale-quest-ce-que-cest-comment-la-choisir">My corporate name: how should I choose it?</a>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a><o:p></o:p>
&nbsp;

The choice of the duration for your corporate mandates in a SAS is quite flexible, however you must comply with a few rules.

How long does a C-level executive stay on?

<h1>What is a shareholders’ agreement? Is it useful if I’m the only founder?</h1>
&nbsp;
<h2>The shareholders agreement is a contract made between a portion or all  of the shareholders of a company. Different from the articles of incorporation, the shareholders’ agreement is only binding on the signatories thereto. As such, if a shareholder has not signed the agreement, his/she contractual liability cannot be called into question thereunder.</h2>

The shareholders’ agreement is designed to organise the relations between shareholders. It may be drafted in many different ways and may contain various clauses depending on the specific situation. Often neglected during the formation of a company, the drafting of this document can prove extremely useful when resolving future potential conflicts which may put the company in danger. It should be noted that even if all the shareholders are in agreement and get along well now at the start of the company, its growth can be significantly hampered as a result of disagreement  further down the line.
As such, the shareholders’ agreement is similar to a marriage contract, in that it will envisage certain eventualities and provide a certain measure of judicial security by facilitating conflict resolution.


<h2 style="text-align: justify;">The shareholders agreement: necessary if I’m the only shareholder?</h2>
The response to this question solely depends on what plans you have for the company.
Indeed, should you wish to remain the sole shareholder of the company, a shareholders agreement will not be necessary.
By contrast, it is recommended to sign a shareholders’ agreement if you plan on, once the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) has been attained or once your idea becomes more concrete, welcoming  investors or key persons for future developments. The first beneficiary signatory will benefit from his anteriority when it comes to the transfer of shares within the framework of vesting clauses.

<a href="\/en">alf</a> provides you with a shareholders’ agreement with the necessary clauses to secure and ensure the viability of your company, as soon as your company is incorporated.

Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/que-contient-mon-pacte-dassocies">The content of your shareholders’ agreement</a>
<a href="/en/faq/et-si-un-associe-ne-respecte-pas-les-dispositions-des-statuts-et-ou-du-pacte-dassocies">The violation of your shareholders' agreement and its consequences</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir">The number of shareholders in your company</a><o:p></o:p>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

The shareholders agreement is a contract concluded between the shareholders of a company. It completes the Articles of Association of a company...

Is a shareholder agreement useful if I’m a solo founder?

<h1>What matrimonial regime is best suited for the creation of a company?</h1>
<h2>Your matrimonial regime will determine the asset split in the couple.</h2>
<h2>Whatever the chosen regime, the personal assets of the director, and by extension, of the couple, is never completely free from claim by the company’s creditors.</h2>
In the case of joint property regimes, the assets of each partner acquired before the marriage will be deemed as separate and therefore free from claim. By contrast, the assets acquired after the marriage will belong to the common asset pool. As such, if you have formed your company before marriage, the company will remain your personal asset. However, any company formed after marriage will be deemed a common asset, unless there is a special clause in the marriage contract clearly indicating that it is to be considered to be a personal asset. It therefore follows that spousal agreement is of the utmost importance in the management of a company when common assets come into play.
We therefore advise you to avoid communal or joint property regimes.
In a separate property regime, the spouses retain ownership of all their personal  assets, whether they are acquired before or after the conclusion of the marriage contract. As such, your company will remain entirely your personal asset, whether it is created before or after your marriage. Further, in the event of divorce, your ex-partner will have no claim to the company.
This regime is therefore recommended for entrepreneurs, as it offers a robust protection of your personal assets.
For full community of property refiles, the assets acquired before and after the marriage become joint property. 
This is a rarely opted-for regime.
Generally, the form of the company is also important, but all companies formed with capital deposits (notably, the SAS and SARL) have the advantage of protecting the asset pools of the director and his company.


Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/combien-de-capital-social-1e-2e-ou-10-000e">Your share capital : how to set the amount ?</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir">The number of shareholders in your company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quels-sont-vos-standards-en-matiere-de-securite-numerique">Alf’s security standards</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace">The best legal form of company for a startup</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-organiser-une-assemblee-generale">What you need to know about General Meetings</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
<o:p></o:p>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

The choice of your matrimonial regime may have consequences on the management of your company. Alf explains the differences between the regimes...

What do I need to do if I am married?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What happens when a shareholder leaves?</h1>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Usually, shareholders' agreements include “good leaver” or “bad leaver” provisions in order to sanction, by an immediate partial restitution of shares, an executive who no longer fulfills his role.</h2>
It’s not a great practice because most of the time these provisions lead the partners to discuss the causes of the departure, when the only thing that should matter is that the shareholder who is leaving can do so and let a new shareholder enter the share capital, in order to increase the company’s value.
This is why we propose a very simple clause in case of departure. The rationale is as follows: the acquisition of capital is correlated with time spent in the company (vesting compliant with French law).
Therefore, upon the decision of the other partners in a General meeting, the partner and manager who wishes to leave or who is invited to leave, lose his position as manager and will return his shares according to a simple timetable:
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Departure during the first year of activity: the manager does not keep any capital share. They are bought back at nominal value.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Departure during the second year of business: the manager retains 25% of the shares, the remainder is bought back at nominal value, then + 2% per month spent in the company.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">From the 4th year onwards, the shareholder will be able to keep all the shares held on the date of his departure.</li>
</ul>
Why set the share buyback at nominal value in case of departure? Above all, it’s important to protect the growth of the company and encourage the founding team to stay as long as possible. Future fundraising should not influence a shareholder's decision to stay or to leave. It is the company’s project and the founders that founded the company, not individuals. So if one is leaving, it should be because the team no longer works. The shareholder leaving is thus refunded for what he originally brought i.e, the value of the shares at the company’s formation and the portion of the shareholder's current account.
Obviously, if the shareholder is leaving after behaving with malicious intent, he or she will be required to return 100% of the company's shares he/she owned.
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/comment-organiser-une-assemblee-generale">What you need to know about General Meetings</a>
<a href="/en/faq/et-si-un-associe-ne-respecte-pas-les-dispositions-des-statuts-et-ou-du-pacte-dassocies">The violation of your shareholders' agreement and its consequences</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir">The number of shareholders in your company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-de-capital-social-1e-2e-ou-10-000e">Your share capital : how to set the amount ?</a><o:p></o:p>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

If a shareholders’ agreement is concluded, most of the time, provisions are included in it in order to organize a shareholder’s departure.

What happens when an officer leaves?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What is a director or C-Level?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">It is an officer of the company who has a corporate mandate by default, and possibly a contract of employment for specific functions that he has within the company. </h2>
The most common examples of C-level are Chief Technology Officer (CTO), CMO (Chief Marketing Officer), CFO (Chief Finance Officer), CLO (Chief Legal Officer) or GC,(General Counsel).
They may receive remuneration for exercising their mandate as a manager of the company and possibly also have an employment contract including a salary. Before providing for compensation under any of these options, get close to an expert who will tell you the best solution and the consequences if you are registered with Pôle Emploi in France (French unemployment agency).
Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/est-ce-que-je-peux-etre-dirigeant-et-salarie-de-la-societe">C-level executives' remuneration</a>
<a href="/en/blog/quel-role-pour-le-president-sas">The role of the head of an SAS</a>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-se-passe-le-depart-dun-dirigeant">The departure of a shareholder</a>
Get to know more about Alf's services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a><o:p></o:p>

C-level executives have a specific status : they are working under a corporate mandate

What is a director or C-Level?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What is included in my shareholders' agreement? </h1>
 
<h2>A shareholders’ agreement is like a gentleman agreement. The provisions included in it provides for thing that haven’t been determined in the Articles of Association of the company.</h2>

There are essentially two types of shareholders, the executive shareholders, who have a role in managing the company (finance, recruitment, organisation) and investors who do not have this role but can intervene in the process of decision-making when it comes to major matters regarding the  development of the company or the investments.
During the incorporation of your company, Alf provides you with a shareholders agreement in order to guarantee you:

<ol>
<li> the commitment of the founding shareholders</li>
</ol>
Entrepreneurs and investors are unanimous on this one: leaders must fully  commit to the company in order for it to grow quickly.
 
<ol start="2">
<li> The protection of your company and its  know-how:</li>
</ol>
Our provisions makes it mandatory for shareholders to comply with non-competition provisions.
 
<ol start="3">
<li> The fluidity when it comes to the entrance and departure of shareholders in the company: </li>
</ol>
The provisions included in our shareholders’ agreement will make it easier for anyone to stay or to leave the company’s share capital without hindering its growth. The regular leaver’s clause makes it possible for any shareholder to leave the company or to switch roles in accordance with  clear and simple rules. Beware however, an equal distribution of shares between two shareholders may lead to a deadlock situation, in the event of a dispute between shareholders. 
 
<ol start="4">
<li> TRUST between partners</li>
</ol>
All shareholders have a right to information that is furthered strengthened when it comes to the company’s accounts. The shareholders must establish the financial statements of the company every three months or do so on request. 
 
<ol start="5">
<li> EQUITY for employees</li>
</ol>
Share employee ownership programs are planned from the incorporation of the company onwards, in order to leave room for other investors for the fundraisings to come next.
 
<a href="\/en">Alf</a> provides you with a shareholders agreement that includes the best provisions in order to protect the company’s founders. These provisions will also ensure a good balance between the rights and duties of each of the company’s shareholder, specifically, the investors and managing shareholders. This distinction helps to outline the specificities of each shareholders’ commitment towards the company. 
 
The list below is non-exhaustive and solely for information purposes. We recommend you read all the documents provided to you. In your shareholder's agreement, you will find:
<ul>
<li>Non-competition and non sollicitation clauses</li>
<li>Leaver clauses in case of a breach of the shareholders’ agreement or of the Articles of Association</li>
<li>Tag-along clauses</li>
<li>Clauses for shareholders' protection against dilution</li>
<li>Vesting clauses adapted to French law for the shareholders,</li>
<li>Provisions to protect Intellectual Property, </li>
<li>A strengthened right to financial information </li>
</ul>
The breach of a shareholders agreement is punished by the payment of damages.


Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/et-si-un-associe-ne-respecte-pas-les-dispositions-des-statuts-et-ou-du-pacte-dassocies"></a>
<a href="/en/faq/le-pacte-dassocies-est-il-utile-si-je-suis-seul-fondateur">A clear presentation of the shareholders agreement</a>
<a href="/en/faq/et-si-un-associe-ne-respecte-pas-les-dispositions-des-statuts-et-ou-du-pacte-dassocies">The violation of your shareholders' agreement and its consequences</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir">The number of shareholders in your company</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Vesting clauses, non-competition clauses… Alf provides you with a shareholders’ agreement to ensure the protection of your company...

What is included in my shareholders' agreement?

<h1>What is the difference between a person as a CEO and a business as a CEO?</h1>


<h2>In the case of a SAS, the director of the company is called the CEO. The CEO of the SAS can also be a company (i.e. “personne morale”) For example, if you already have a company and you wish to create a subsidiary or invest via the existing company, you can designate the first company as CEO of the new one.</h2>
Should you wish to do this, however, note that the investing CEO company must have a physical person as its physical representative. Your name will appear on the incorporation certificate of the new SAS as the legal representative of the investing company.
<h2>In the case of an SARL, the head of the company is called the manager. Unlike an SAS, the manager of the SARL must be a physical person.</h2>
<h2>Similarly, the head of an SCI is called a manager, but it is possible to have a business as manager.</h2>
When the company is formed, the choice between a physical or corporate head can be strategic.
 For example, when the CEO of an SAS is a physical person, his/her remuneration is taxed on his income and he/she benefits from an allowance of 10% for professional fees. On the other hand, if the CEO is a business, its income is a taxable product.
 Moreover, from a practical point-of-view, the designation of a corporate CEO in a SAS can be advantageous, as there will be no formality to carry out if the shareholders later wish to designate a physical person as CEO.


Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-duree-de-mandat-dun-dirigeant">The term of a corporate office</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dassocies-faut-il-avoir">The number of shareholders in your company</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-choisir-le-siege-social">The headquarters: what is it?</a><o:p></o:p>
Get to know more about <a href="\/en">alf</a>'s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a><o:p></o:p>
&nbsp;

The rules regarding the status of the CEO may vary. They depend on the legal form of your company. Here are the rules for the SAS, the SARL and the SCI...

What is the difference between a person as a CEO and a business as a CEO?

What difference between a person / a business as a CEO?

<h1>Do I need a bank to incorporate with Alf?</h1>
<h2>During the <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf">incorporation process</a>, you need to deposit the share capital of the new company on an escrow account, then to get it back, you will need a bank account under the name of the company that can be opened in a bank or by a bank agent.</h2>

The escrow account can be opened for the company with a notary or a lawyer, a bank or a bank agent. The latter returns the capital to shareholders, as it was deposited on the bank account for the company’s incorporation process.
This process is usually long and complicated, in France as in other countries, because the internal administrative processes are complicated. Indeed, for instance, you will have to  organize face-to-face meetings with advisors, send several emails, share lots of documents, meet answer a questionnaire etc. All these steps are time-consuming and will delay the return of your  company’s capital to the shareholders, and thus, your whole business. 

<a href="\/en" style="font-size: medium;">Alf</a> simplifies all these steps, from the opening of the escrow account to the return of your share capital on your new company’s bank account. You get notified at each step of the process. We collect and check all the information needed for the incorporation. You then get your funds returned without any delay.
In order to do so, Alf has implemented a hub of communication. Indeed, we work with notaries, lawyers, bank agents so as to simplify each step of your company’s incorporation. You only have to choose the options you want for your company, we take care of the rest.

Please note that the escrow account will only be necessary for the deposit of the share capital as well as its return. You can’t deposit your shareholders current account in it. 



Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/que-dois-je-faire-apres-limmatriculation-de-ma-societe">After your incorporation: what is left to do?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris">Create your bank account with our partner Le Credit Mutuel</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quels-sont-les-avantages-de-louverture-dun-compte-courant-en-ligne">The opening of your current account online with Alf</a>
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Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;

Alf simplifies the process of incorporation of your company: our various partnerships help you centralize all the steps online!

Do I need a bank to incorporate with Alf?

[et_pb_image src="/static/images/blog/offres-de-partenariat-startup-eng-3.png" _builder_version="3.26.3" width="792px" min_height="452px"]<h2 class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with the Crédit Mutuel of Paris!</h2>
<h2 class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">Always paying close attention to the way we can offer you the best possible service, we do strive to seek interesting partnerships with key actors to be at your side at every step of your company's setting-up.</h2>
<h2 class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">Alf and Crédit Mutuel both share the same aspirations and objectives: making the establishment of innovative and promising companies in France easier and carefully accompanying gifted entrepreneurs in various procedures while promoting similar values such as autonomy, simplicity and transparence.</h2>
This partnership will be valid for the opening of a professional bank account, until December 31, 2019.
It includes :
- the opening of a "Eurocompte Pro" current account (a 3-month free package : current account, payment check, international credit card, CMUT Pro access, payment protection insurance) ;
- a 50% reduction on bank charges for specific transactions ;
- a twelve-month free rental of an electronic payment terminal ;
- support in the expansion of your activities with a financing of equipment (0% rate up to 2000 euros) ;
- attractive savings plans ;
- and a free hoverboard.
You will also be offered the possibility to directly communicate with Crédit Mutuel's counsellors via our platform.
You will find <a href="/static/pdf/Partenariat-alf.pdf" rel="attachment wp-att-25743"></a><a href="/static/pdf/Partenariat-alf.pdf" rel="attachment wp-att-25743 noopener noreferrer" title="Alf x Crédit Mutuel Paris" target="_blank">here</a> a more detailed description of the partnership.
Should you need any further information on this partnership or on <a href="thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas" >company formation in France</a>, please do not hesitate to <a href="mailto:hello@thisisalf.com" >contact </a>alf or visit <a href="/en" >our website</a>.

Alf and Crédit Mutuel both share the same aspirations: making the establishment of innovative and promising companies in France easier!

Partnership Crédit Mutuel x Alf

<h1>Can I receive a remuneration for my duties under a corporate mandate?</h1>


<h2 style="text-align: justify;">The rules regarding the remuneration for one's duties under a corporate mandate vary in accordance to the legal form of the company.</h2>
&nbsp;
In the case of an SAS, anyone working under a corporate mandate can receive a remuneration. As a reminder, the main advantage of the SAS is that you can freely set the rules of its organization in the Articles of Association. As a result, the terms under which a remuneration can be received for the duties under a corporate mandate are set in the Articles of Association. You can thus decide how the remuneration should be calculated, as well as the body that will be in charge of setting the remuneration.

In the case of an SARL, the head of the company can receive a remuneration for his corporate mandate. This remuneration is set by the General meeting, and sometimes in the Articles of Association of the company. The managing partner can take part in the vote organized to set his remuneration. Indeed, the right to vote of a shareholder can’t be dismissed. As a result, if the managing partner is the majority shareholder of the SARL, he will be able to set his own remuneration during the General Meeting.

The managing shareholder of an SCI can also receive a remuneration. However, in most cases, the managing shareholder doesn’t receive any remuneration because the estate management doesn’t require much work. The remuneration can still be set in the Articles of Association. If nothing is mentioned in the Articles of Association, the managing shareholder who wants to receive a remuneration can convene a General meeting so that all the shareholder can vote in order to set the terms of this remuneration.
If the shareholders or the Articles of Association of the SCI haven’t planned anything regarding the remuneration, the managing shareholder won’t be able to perceive a remuneration.


Whatever the legal form of the company, if a remuneration has been set for a corporate mandate, no minimal amount has been set by the french legislation. This means that the remuneration can be conditional, proportional, partly fixed or variable (depending on the overturn for instance).
<a href="\/en"> Alf</a> assists you in <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporating you company</a> in France, as well as <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">managing all your company’s paperwork</a>. To discover our services, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>.



Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/est-ce-que-je-peux-etre-dirigeant-et-salarie-de-la-societe">The combination of an employment contract and a corporate mandate: how does it work?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace">The best legal form of company when incorporating a startup</a><o:p></o:p>
<a href="/en/faq/comment-organiser-une-assemblee-generale">What you need to know about General Meetings</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;


&nbsp;

The rules regarding the remuneration for one’s duties under a corporate mandate vary in accordance to the legal form of the company.

Can a director receive a financial compensation for their legal mandate?

<h1>What is the difference between an IBAN payment account and a standard bank account?</h1>
<h2>The IBAN payment account is a nominative account whose structure with a unique IBAN provides with the same level of services than any other regular bank account when it comes to payment.</h2>
The opening of an IBAN bank account with iBanFirst can only be carried out online. At iBanFirst, the IBAN account is different to other traditional bank accounts as this bank account can’t be a debit account. Indeed, you can only receive payments into this bank account. Besides iBanFirst doesn’t offer loans.
Please note that iBanFirst is a payment institution approved by the National Bank of Belgium since 2013,
<a href="\/en"> Alf</a> assists you in <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporating you company</a> in France, as well as <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">managing all your company’s paperwork</a>. To discover our services, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>.

An IBAN payment bank account  doesn’t have the same role as a regular current account. Made in Law explains the difference in this article.

What is the difference between an IBAN payment account and a standard bank account?

Difference between an IBAN and a standard bank account

<h1>How does the opening of my online current account work?</h1>
&nbsp;
The opening of an online current account is simplified with Alf. Indeed, we collect the information needed for the opening of your bank account in order to communicate them directly to our financial partners.
<h2>If you choose our financial partners, here are the few steps for the opening of your current account:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Upon receipt of the administrative package from Alf and your signed contract, our partner will issue the standard identity check and will open your account.</li>
<li>Alf then receives a copy of your bank account’s details in order to instruct automatically the transfer of the initial share capital.</li>
<li>The funds are credited within 48 hours to your company’s account and you receive your online account access within 24 to 48 hours!</li>
</ul>
The opening of an account with our financial partner is normally conditioned to the possession of a company account in a third-party bank. Using the sharing and control of administrative document offered by Alf, you avoid this step and you receive your deposited funds on the financial partner account as soon as your company is incorporated.
The process is fully digitized, and you usually receive access to your account within 48 hours.
Opening an account with our financial partner is charged first charged by Alf, then subject to the partner’s applicable pricing conditions. 
We charge a minimum fee for the opening of the current accounts for all EU nationals and EU companies.
For non-EU residents, the fee will depend on your country of citizenship. Our partners sometimes charge additional fees if legal counseling or the  translations of documents are needed. Should this be the case, we will provide you with a quote based on your situation.
<a href="\/en">alf</a> assists you in <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporating you company</a> in France, as well as <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">managing all your company’s paperwork</a>. To discover our services, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>.
 
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris">Create your bank account with our partner Le Credit Mutuel</a><a href="/en/faq/combien-de-capital-social-1e-2e-ou-10-000e">Your share capital : how to set the amount ?</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

The opening of your current bank account online  with Made in Law is very simple. No worries, with our partners, you’re in good hands!

What are the advantages of opening an online current account with Alf?

<h1>What is a shareholders’ current account?</h1>

At launch, companies often have less revenue than expenses. And nowadays, many payments are made directly online with a credit card or debited from a bank account.
The company’s shareholders thus bring a certain amount of money, that can for instance be proportional to their capital shares, in order to pay the fees implied by the incorporation of the company and the investments by wire transfer  or by cheque.
The shareholders will be refunded as soon as the company will have enough cash flows. With Alf, the refund usually takes place 3 months after the incorporation and depending on the availability of cash flows. 
<h2>The current bank account designates cash advances  made by shareholders.</h2>
The shareholders’ current account is thus one of the three main initial  methods of financing one’s company.
These cash advances granted by a shareholder can also meet the need to pay sums due by a company.
The shareholders current account is an equity financing method for the company. Indeed, it helps the company avert using any other source of funding, which is convenient, because they usually are more expensive.
The shareholder thus has a claim on the company. this claim is refundable by the company. The Articles of Association of the company must mention the terms and conditions for the refund).
<a href="\/en">alf</a> assists you in <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporating you company</a> in France, as well as <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">managing all your company’s paperwork</a>. To discover our services, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>.



Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/quels-sont-les-avantages-de-louverture-dun-compte-courant-en-ligne">The advantages of opening a bank account online</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris">Create your bank account with our partner Le Credit Mutuel</a>Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

The shareholders’ current account is a convenient way to fund your company. Here is a glimpse on how this method works...

What is a shareholder current account?

<h1>Which tax regime is the most appropriate for my company?</h1>



<h2>With Alf, we suggest that you opt for the equivalent of the Corporate Tax regime (Impôts sur les sociétés, IS). This is the default regime for SAS and SARL companies. SCIs are subject to free to choose this regime should they so wish.</h2>
Under the IS regime, tax is calculated on the profits made. The regular imposition rate is 33.33% but it is also possible to benefit from a reduced rate of 15% or 28%, according to the thresholds.
To benefit from reduced rates, the following three (3) conditions must be satisfied:
<ul>
<li>The annual turnover before tax must be less than 7.63 million euros;</li>
<li>The capital must be entirely paid-up;</li>
<li>at least 75% of the  share capital should be held individual, and not other companies.</li>
</ul>
The 15% rate will apply to the first 38 120€ of the profits, whilst the 28% rate will apply to current accounting period (1 January-31 December 2019) on all profits between 38 120€ and 500 000€.


<h2>There are two (2) corporation tax regimes, which have an impact on the VAT payable and when making your tax declaration:</h2>
<ul>
<li>The “régime réel normal d’imposition” (RN):  under this regime, a complete balance sheet prepared by an accountant must be filed with the relevant authority and an electronic declaration made. With regard to VAT, the company must send monthly electronic declarations. </li>
<li>The “régime simplifié d’imposition” (RSI): under this regime, the company must file a simplified balance sheet and the VAT declaration is to be made annually. Our intelligent questionnaire proposes the most appropriate regime according to your situation according to the following criteria: to best protect your finances and to reduce your administrative tasks.</li>
</ul>
The regime you choose will apply from the date of incorporation and can be changed later on according to your preferences or due to a change in your situation.
To know more on the <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">creation of your company</a> and the management of <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/tva">your VAT paperwork</a>, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>!



Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/quels-sont-vos-standards-en-matiere-de-securite-numerique">Alf’s security standards</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quel-est-le-role-de-alf">Alf and your VAT paperwork</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-forme-sociale-recommandee-pour-creer-une-societe-simple-et-efficace">The best legal form of company for a startup</a><o:p></o:p>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies by visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
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The tax regime most suited for your company is the French equivalent to corporate tax regime. Alf explains to you the specificities of this regime.

Which tax regime is best adapted for my company?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">The notary needs to refund me the investment capital on the escrow account, but I don’t have a RIB because my bank is non-European: what should I provide?</h1>
With a RIB (“relevé d’identité bancaire”), you can easily communicate to third parties your unique bank account details to facilitate various types of transactions (transfers, withdrawals ...).
The RIB must contain a 27-digit International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and a Bank Identifier Code (BIC) which prove that an account exists.
As such, should you have a foreign bank account, you must send your notary your IBAN and BIC identifiers.
<a href="\/en" >alf</a> recommends you to <a href="/en/faq/ai-je-besoin-dune-banque-pour-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >open a bank account</a> in France, with <a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris" >one of our privileged partners</a>: it's simple, fast and 100% online.
Read more:
<a href="/en/blog/comment-fonctionne-louverture-du-compte-courant-en-ligne" >Open an online account with the help of Alf</a>
<a href="/en/blog/residents-non-eu-frais-supplementaires-louverture-compte-courant-en-ligne" >Non-EU residents and opening bank account fees</a>
<a href="/en/faq/partenariat-avec-ibanfirst" >alf's partnership with iBanFirst</a>

Invest in a company when my bank is non-European

The notary needs to refund me the investment capital on the escrow account, but I don’t have a RIB because my bank is non-European: what should I provide?

Non EU residents and additional fees for an online current account

<h1>How many shares shall I create to start?</h1>

<h2>In France, all shares must be allocated during the company’s incorporation. As a result, when writing the Articles of Association of your company, you will have to set freely the total amount of share capital, and the number of shares.</h2>

The number of shares will depend however on the direction and development you wish to give to your company. Indeed, the number of shares of your company doesn’t need to be high at the time of the company’s incorporation because in the beginning, the share capital will be distributed between the  few initial founders.
However, the current trend in high growth young startups is to allocate shares to employees. This is to encourage employees to fully commit to the business of the company. Besides, you will potentially have to open your share capital to third-parties later on, in accordance to your business’ growth. This can happen if you plan fundraisings for your company.
As a result, Alf recommend you start with a rather high  number of shares. In this way, you will be able to allocate hundreds of shares to your employees (even though the value per share is low in the beginning) or to investors, and you will also be able to grant a number of shares better adapted to the exact percentage each investor holds.
We thus suggest you start with 10.000 shares. That’s what most companies plan at the time of their incorporations in the United States. Besides, as you increase the amount of share capital, the nominal value of your shares will increase if you keep the same amount of shares.
Alf assists you in incorporating you company in France, as well as managing all your company’s paperwork. To discover our services, please visit our website.


Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/combien-de-capital-social-1e-2e-ou-10-000e">Your share capital : how to set the amount ?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-un-capital-fixe-plutot-quun-capital-variable">Variable or fixed share capital: which one should you choose for your company?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quels-sont-vos-standards-en-matiere-de-securite-numerique">Alf’s security standards</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

The number of shares must be set at the time of your company’s incorporation. Made in Law provides you with the most adapted number of shares...

How many shares shall I create to start?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">How much for the share capital to start with (€1, €2, €1,000)?</h1>
<h2>The share capital refers to the assets of the company. The share capital is made of two types of contributions made by the shareholders at the time of the company’s incorporation:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Contributions in cash</li>
<li>Contributions in kind</li>
</ul>
<h2>The perk of incorporating an SAS is that you don’t have any minimal amount of share capital to deposit for the formation of the company.</h2>
The share capital can be set by taking into account the spendings that are necessary for starting up the business: recruitment processes, purchases of goods, etc.
For a long time, the amount of share capital was a factor that could reassure creditors, bankers, and clients on the availability of cash flows from the company, especially if the company turned out not to have the success that was at first expected.
This rationale is now expired. Indeed, now, 50% of your share capital must be available in cash flows for the closure of the accounts.
This rule is now essential for some business sectors, especially when it comes to buying goods or for cash-flow needs. But for a young startup that is only testing a market or an idea, investments are often blocked by this obligation. Instead of investing, the law is indeed forcing you into hoarding.
What is then the solution?
Your business model is part of the answer, but if you incorporate a startup, 1€ can be enough for your capital share, as other contributions can be made through the shareholders’ current account: one or various shareholders of the company can indeed consent a loan to the company, that the latter will have to refund accordingly to the terms that have been provided for in the current account agreement. In this way, it’s only when your business will start to grow and to attract new investors that you will be able to increase the share capital of your company. 
<a href="\/en"> Alf</a> assists you in <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">incorporating you company</a> in France, as well as <a href="https://thisisalf.com/en/paperwork/sas">managing all your company’s paperwork</a>. To discover our services, please visit <a href="\/en">our website</a>.
 
Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-quun-compte-courant-dassocies">The shareholders' current account: how does it work?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dactions-faut-il-creer">The most adapted number of shares for the incorporation of your company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-un-capital-fixe-plutot-quun-capital-variable">Variable or fixed share capital: which one should you choose for your company?</a><o:p></o:p>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
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&nbsp;

The share capital must be set as soon as the process of incoporation of your company starts. Made in Law helps you choose the righ amount of share capital..

What is the right amount of share capital when starting my company?

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">What is the deposit certificate and when do I need it?</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">The deposit certificate must contain the following information: <a href="/en/faq/quelle-est-la-difference-entre-un-nom-de-societe-le-nom-commercial-ou-la-marque" >the name of your company</a>, <a href="/en/faq/comment-choisir-le-siege-social" >the headquarters of your company</a>, the total amount of funds transferred and, in an annex, the list of shareholders with the amount of capital transferred by each one.</h2>
The date at which the certificate is issued must be before the date the statutes are signed : the Tribunal carefully verifies this and will systematically <a href="/en/faq/peut-on-contester-une-decision-du-greffe" >reject</a> any certificates dated after the signature of the statutes.
A company is only truly created when it is incorporated. <a href="\/en" >alf</a> takes care of <a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-creer-ma-societe-avec-alf" >all the necessary formalities</a> with the  competent Tribunal. The deposit certificate is an integral part of <a href="/en/faq/limmatriculation-en-ligne-comment-ca-marche" >the incorporation application</a> and you will be unable to get <a href="/en/faq/mon-kbis-contient-des-erreurs-est-ce-grave" >your Kbis</a> without it. The Kbis is your company’s ID card and it is necessary to the establishment of your company’s legal existence.
Furthermore, with regard to <a href="/en/faq/que-contiennent-les-statuts-de-la-sas-sasu-proposes-par-alf" >SAS</a>, the issuance of the deposit certificate is the final step before the signature of the final version of the articles of incorporation.
The acquisition of this certificate is crucial, but without much hassle. <a href="\/en" >alf</a> has partnered with several <a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris" >banks</a> and will fully take care of your application: the deposit certificate request is made once you’ve responded to our smart questionnaire and have made the deposit of funds.
For more information, please <a href="\/en" >visit our website</a>.

The deposit certificate is an integral part of the incorporation application and you will be unable to get your certificate of incorporation without it. 

What is the deposit certificate and when do I need it?

<h1>What is the preferential subscription right or maintenance right?</h1>



<h2>The preferential subscription right is applicable to any stock company (notably SAS and SA). It refers to the right that enables any shareholder to subscribe before anyone else  for new shares in the event of a capital increase, i.e. when new shares are issued.</h2>


Sometimes, in the event of a capital increase, some shareholders are not able to take part in it financially. In this case, the shareholder is likely to find his holdings diluted. This means that his participation in the share capital of the company has decreased proportionally to the capital increase. The maintenance right (also known as the anti-dilution clause) enables this type of shareholders to take part in the capital increase. The drafting of this clause can anticipate two things.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>The shareholder that benefits from this clause will be able to subscribe for the number of shares that will be sufficient to keep his level of participation in the share capital.</li>
<li>The shareholder will be able to benefit from his maintenance right and will be able to subscribe for more shares than necessary in order to keep his level of participation in the share capital of the company if the anti-dilution clause provides for the case when the shareholders wants to subscribe for the number of shares in proportion to its share in the company.`</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Read more: 
<a href="/en/faq/combien-de-capital-social-1e-2e-ou-10-000e">Your share capital : how to set the amount ?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dactions-faut-il-creer">The most adapted number of shares for the incorporation of your company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/pourquoi-un-capital-fixe-plutot-quun-capital-variable">Variable or fixed share capital: which one should you choose for your company?</a><o:p></o:p>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>

The preferential subscription right is applicable to any stock company in France. Made in Law tells you what this right implies for shareholders...

What is the preferential subscription or maintenance right?

<h1>Why choose a fixed share capital rather than a variable one?</h1>


<h2>You can choose whether you want to set a variable or fixed capital for your company if the latter is an SAS, an SARL, or an SCI.</h2>

The fixed shared capital is the classic form of share capital. The share capital can only  be modified if a decision is made within the framework of an Extraordinary General Assembly meeting. As a result, if you decide to modify the share capital of your company, it will imply a modification of your company’s Articles of Association. This means that modifying your fixed share capital implies the completion of paperwork, and some additional fees (fees for legal publication, and court fees)
The fixed share capital is thus more stringent than the variable capital. However, it has some significant  perks, as it enables the company to be perceived as more stable. Indeed, the entrance of new shareholders is more  regulated, which helps to avoid conflicts between shareholders with divergent interests, and healthier relations between founders which promotes growth. Furthermore, thanks to the stability provided by a fixed share capital, these companies are viewed more positively by financial institutions than those with variable share capitals.
Putting a provision providing for the variability of the share capital enables you to modify the share capital within a defined range, without having to pay any additional administrative fees generated by the completion of the paperwork implied. Shareholders can also take back their shares whenever they want and without any additional fees. 
The variability of share capital can potentially be perceived negatively by public and private investors, as it may imply that the  commitment of the founders in the first few years can be challenged. 
The variable capital can thus be chosen as an option at Alf.

Read more:
<a href="/en/faq/combien-de-capital-social-1e-2e-ou-10-000e">Your share capital : how to set the amount ?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/combien-dactions-faut-il-creer">The most adapted number of shares for the incorporation of your company</a>
<a href="/en/faq/quest-ce-que-le-droit-preferentiel-de-souscription-ou-le-maintien-des-participations">The preferential right of subscription: what is it?</a>
<a href="/en/faq/notre-partenariat-avec-le-credit-mutuel-paris">Create your bank account with our partner Le Credit Mutuel</a>
Get to know more about Alf’s services for companies visiting our <a href="/en/faqs">FAQs </a>
&nbsp;

During your company’s incorporation, you have to choose betweeen a variable or a fixed share capital. Here are the differences between the two options...