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Setting Up in the UK from France
France was the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment into the UK in 2024–25, and for many French founders, UK expansion is motivated as much by relief from domestic administrative complexity as by market opportunity. The UK's comparatively lighter company formation process and lower employer social costs are frequently cited by French businesses as genuine advantages, not just marketing claims.
Why France businesses choose the UK
- France was the fourth-largest source market for FDI into the UK in the 2024–25 financial year
- The UK and France remain deeply connected trading partners despite Brexit, particularly in professional services, creative industries, and food and drink
- Notably lower employer social charges in the UK compared to France make UK hiring meaningfully cheaper for French companies building out a UK team
SARL/SAS vs UK Limited Company
| SARL / SAS | UK Limited Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Filing body | Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (RCS) | Companies House |
| Incorporation timeline | 1–2 weeks typically, notarial/legal formalities | 24–48 hours once documents are ready |
| Employer social charges | Notably higher (charges sociales, roughly 25–42% of gross salary depending on structure) | Lower — employer National Insurance contributions at 13.8% above the threshold |
| Governance | SARL: gérant; SAS: président, more flexible | Any director, UK-resident or not |
| Annual filing | RCS accounts, audit thresholds apply | Companies House confirmation statement + accounts |
The gap in employer social charges is one of the most concrete, financially meaningful differences French founders encounter — it directly affects the cost of building out a UK team compared to hiring the equivalent headcount in France. Compare subsidiary vs branch in detail →
The setup process, step by step
- 01Company registration — UK incorporation with Companies House, typically 24–48 hours, without the notarial formalities required for SARL/SAS setup Read our Company Registration Checklist guide →
- 02Registered office — a UK registered office address is a legal requirement from day one
- 03PAYE and HMRC registration — required once you employ UK staff, including any French staff relocated to the UK Read our How to Register as a UK Employer (PAYE) When You Do Not Have a UK Address guide →
- 04UK business bank account — a standalone process from any existing French banking relationship, with its own KYC requirements Read our Business Bank Account for Non-Residents: What Actually Works guide →
- 05Ongoing compliance — UK filing deadlines and formats are distinct from RCS requirements and need tracking in parallel
Common questions from France founders
Is it really cheaper to employ staff in the UK than in France?
On social charges specifically, yes — UK employer National Insurance contributions are meaningfully lower than French charges sociales, though total compensation packages and benefits expectations still need proper comparison.
How does the UK-France double tax treaty work?
The UK and France have a long-standing double taxation treaty, so profits generally aren't taxed twice — the details depend on your structure and where profit is recognised, and are worth a direct conversation.
Do I need a UK-resident director?
No — UK company law doesn't require UK-resident directors, though most French companies still appoint someone with day-to-day UK oversight.
Is UK company incorporation really faster than SARL/SAS formation?
Yes, typically — UK incorporation via Companies House can complete in 24–48 hours, without the notarial and registration formalities that add time to French company formation.
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