The French economy
With a 2014 GDP by purchasing power parity (PPP) of US$2.5 trillion, France has the world’s 9th largest economy and the 5th largest by nominal figures. It is the 3rd largest economy in Europe after Germany and the United Kingdom.
- Population: 66.5m
- Public Debt/GDP: 95.5%
- Unemployment: 10.2% (2014 est.)
- Inflation: -0.6%
- #29 best countries for business
Source: Forbes
Main industries
- Machinery – Michelin
- Chemicals – Air Liquide Group
- Automobiles – PSA, Renault
- Metallurgy – LA GTM France, VDM Metals France
- Aircraft – Air France, EADS
- Electronics – Schneider Electric, Alcatel,
- Food processing – Danone, Sodexo, Carrefour
- Tourism – Accor
As % of GDP: services 78.9, industry 19.4, agriculture 1.7
Starting a business in France
Registering your business in France
Check the name of your company hasn’t already been registered. You can do this online at the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI)
Now you should register your new business. You can do this in person at the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE) or online http://www.guichet-entreprises.fr/
You can create a CFE file here (French)
What to take with you to CFE:
- proof of address
- proof of ID
- proof that your spouse or partner understands liability (if applicable)
The CFE will send your documents to the relevant body. This may include:
- National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) will register your company at the national business directory and allocate SIRET, SIREN and APE numbers
- The tax office (Centre de Impôts)
- The commercial court register (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (RCS)
- Social security
- The labour office (Direction Departemental du Travail et de L’emploi)
- Health insurance (Caisse regionale D’assurance Maladie)
- Employment office, unemployment office, pension (Pole Emploi)
- Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce if starting a company or commercial enterprise
- Répertoire des Métiers for trade/craft
- The Caisses Socials and Inspection du Travail if you plan to employee people
Comparison by country of various influencers on business. Scale runs from 1-100 with 1 being the best score.
Have you started a business in France? Leave your experiences and advice in the comments!