Setting an architectural business in France
Hi Readers,
I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: I’ve finally completed all the administrative procedures to officially open my architecture business in France!
As someone who loves sharing knowledge and experiences, I couldn’t resist documenting this incredible journey. If you’re considering opening an architecture firm in France, grab a pen and take some notes—I’ll walk you through the entire process.
It all started on June 14th when I decided to leave my position at a great firm to pursue my long-standing dream of starting my practice. Dates are important here, as they’ll give you an idea of how long the process might take.
On Monday, June 17th, I contacted the Ordre des Architectes (the regulatory body for architects in France) to inform them of my plans and to update my registration status. At the time, I was registered as a salarié (employee). They gave me two options: either give up my registration and reapply later in the year (due to the summer holiday season) or move forward and open my business right away. Since I was determined not to delay until the rentrée (back-to-school season), I decided to act quickly.
The registration process at the Ordre des Architectes was somewhat confusing because they required proof of professional insurance. However, insurance companies wouldn’t cover me until I had a registered business. Fortunately, the Ordre allowed me to proceed temporarily without the insurance to ensure I could be reviewed at their next board meeting. In France, architects and companies must receive approval and a registration number from the Ordre to operate legally.
The first step was drafting the company statuts, a legal document outlining all aspects of the business. This step alone took about a week of back-and-forth with the Ordre des Architectes as I struggled to choose the appropriate company structure. I finalized this step on June 27th.
Simultaneously, I began the process of applying for professional insurance with the MAF, a well-known insurance provider for architects.
Both processes were slow due to the summer holidays, and it wasn’t until September 2nd that the Ordre des Architectes confirmed my registration. I immediately forwarded this confirmation to the MAF.
Next, I hired a company called DOUGS to handle the registration of my business with the Greffe du tribunal de commerce (Commercial Court Registry). I highly recommend DOUGS—they were excellent and made this step so much smoother after the challenges I faced earlier.
The registration process took less than two weeks, and on October 14th, my company, Artcrafters, was officially born! Following this, I registered my business with the tax office, a process that took about 15 days.
Finally, on November 13th, I received my TVA (VAT) number and access to the tax office’s online platform, officially enabling me to start working as a business.
Opening a company in France can be time-consuming and costly, with several unexpected fees along the way. However, the good news is that many of these expenses can be deducted once the company is up and running.
Although the process was lengthy, it was absolutely worth it. Now, my focus is on growing and expanding the business!