Everything you need to know to succeed in France

Message from the CEO

I am pleased to present “Doing Business 2008”.

This guide was created for you, foreign corporate managers, who wish to set up business in France. Written by IFA experts with the help of agency partners (law firms, audit offices and human resources offices), it provides a clear summary of the business law environment in 2008.

I am sure it will prove very useful: since the presidential election in May 2007, France has introduced major reforms at a faster rate than ever before all to the advantage of businesses.

Taxation has been reduced and simplified, labour laws have been made more flexible, R&D has been made a national priority, and company regulations have been modernized and brought into line with European laws: France is a country that strongly supports research and fosters the creation of business. It is up to you to benefit!

France has also embarked on an active policy to attract foreign talent by simplifying entry conditions for skilled workers.

IFA and its partners at regional development agencies are at your disposal to assist and advise you in setting up your project.

Philippe Favre
French Ambassador for International Investment,
Chairman and CEO of Invest In France Agency

Download Doing Business in France, 2008 Edition

PDF format, 1.7MB, 90 Pages.

Contents:

Message from the CEO 5
Chapter I. Everything you need to know to succeed in France 7
I. Multiple solutions for your business 9
II. Setting up your business rapidly 12
III. Multiple legal structures tailored to your needs 15
IV. Acquisitions of companies and equity interests 18
V. Corporate real estate: meeting your needs 20
VI. Simplified rules for classified facilities 23
Chapter II. French labor law 25
I. Labor relations within a company 26
II. Employee incentives: profit sharing and share-ownership programs 31
III. Organizing work hours: greater flexibility 32
IV. An environment that supports employee development 35
Chapter III. Favorable conditions for employees
in international mobility 37
I. Short stay visit by a foreign employee 39
II. Working is made easier for foreign citizens 39
III. Health cover for your staff in France 46
IV. Tax regulations for employees in France 47
V. Expatriated salaried staff 49
Chapter IV. Business taxes in France 51
I. Corporate income tax in line with EU standards 52
II. Ways to repatriate profits 54
III. Value added tax and customs duty 56
IV. Local business taxes paid by companies 57
V. A wide range of tax incentives for investors 58
VI. Special tax regime for headquarters 63
Chapter V. Public support for business 67
I. Benefit from assistance for productive investment and job creation 69
II. Benefit from assistance for training and recruitment 72
III. Benefit from support for innovation, research and development (RDI) 74
IV. Support for environmental investments is being developed 77
Glossary 78
Contacts 80
Club AFII Partners 82
IFA’s network 84

Doing business in France

Invest in France Agency (IFA) promotes and facilitates international investment in France. The IFA network operates worldwide. IFA works in partnership with regional development agencies to offer international investors business opportunities and customized services all over France.

For more information, please visit www.investinfrance.org

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