Setting up in the Lyon area or developing your project there? From administrative formalities to available funding mechanisms, get to know the local context for guaranteed success.
Regulations and taxation: overview of administrative formalities
To set up a business activity in our area, you first need to understand how the local authorities work plus the French legal and tax system. Here’s a review of current formalities.
Various types of corporate entity are available: limited responsibility company (SARL), individual company (sole trader), public limited company (SA), general partnership (SNC), etc. Choosing the right status is key regarding the formalities you must observe, but also essential for the success and long life of your business. Before you get started, be sure to compare the various types of entity and their statutory requirements.
The business start-up centre (CFE) of the CCI of Lyon Métropole Saint-Étienne Roanne centralises applications to register, modify and deregister businesses in the Lyon area. It also offers services to facilitate the procedures needed to carry out your business activity.
If you plan to locate your company in the Lyon area, contact our regulatory and tax experts.
For everything you need to know about creating your business in Greater Lyon, get in touch with our experts.
Select premises that fit your activity and your short and mid-term development objectives. Find out about all parts of the Lyon area and the corporate real-estate opportunities they offer.
To best prepare your set-up, our experts will inform and advise you about the various available real-estate solutions.
If your business already has a base in Greater Lyon, we can assist with your extension or relocation projects.
You will need to know about labour law, the cost of labour, and the various types of contract. Good to know: in France, any foreign national with a salaried job must have a work permit. Greater Lyon is a rich pool of talent – find out about all they can do.
If you plan to locate your company in the Lyon area, you can benefit from the expertise of our human-resources and employee-mobility advisers.
Does your business already have a base in Greater Lyon? Our team provide a dedicated offering of services, notably for recruitment.
France has dozens of insurance companies, each providing specific cover for professionals. The sector has a big presence in the Lyon area – several leading players are have their HQs here. Choose the insurer and policy that best fit your constraints and expectations. Our experts can also help you with your various legal and tax formalities. Taxation: France has a very distinctive taxation system, deeply rooted in history. It is important to be familiar with it in advance, especially in respect of corporation tax and value added tax (VAT).
France has a very distinctive taxation system, deeply rooted in history. It is important to be familiar with it in advance, especially in respect of corporation tax and value added tax (VAT).
Be fully informed about existing types of financial aid
Companies that set up in the Lyon area can seek various levels of public financial aid to fund their innovations and R&D activities.
Municipalities, multi-municipal and multi-conurbation authorities, and metropolitan authorities support the businesses located in their area.
The Auvergne–Rhone-Alpes Regional council offers various packages to support the investment of local business players.
Ministries and public operators may also subsidise project sponsors.
The European Investment Bank and the European Commission devote part of their annual budgets to businesses.
The Business France website details the types of public aid you may be eligible for when you set up in the Lyon area. For example, Greater Lyon is notable for the complementary and attractive kinds of funding offered to back business projects. The area is also eligible for many EU funding schemes.
Plan to set up in Greater Lyon? Several of our advisers specialise in these funding matters. They will guide you to the agencies best able to support or subsidise your project.