A micro-entrepreneur is an individual entrepreneur subject to the simplified micro-social regime. Created in 2009 at the instigation of Nicolas Sarkozy, this status encourages the growth of self-employment, and can be adapted to a wide range of business sectors.
This scheme is particularly easy to set up, manage and dissolve, which is why it is so popular throughout France.
All activities can be carried out with this status, except for farming.
A micro-business must have a registered address, i.e. a reference defining its nationality, country of taxation and jurisdiction in the event of disputes.
There are several alternatives: the entrepreneur's personal home or domiciliation companies.
Let's discover the advantages and disadvantages of each solution so that you can make the best choice for your needs.
At first glance, it's a simple, inexpensive solution. Choosing your own place of residence limits your administrative formalities, and seems to simplify your life. In reality, this alternative presents major risks for your privacy.
In fact, your registered address must appear on all your official documents, such as invoices, quotes, order forms, delivery notes, etc.
So you run the risk of a disgruntled customer ringing your doorbell on a Saturday morning...
Your personal data will be made public, on official public online directories, or to carry out your digital promotion (Google directory, Facebook page, Instagram account, your own website, etc.).
In some condominiums, this may be prohibited by the lease, or specific conditions may be imposed (e.g. prohibition on receiving guests outside certain opening hours, prohibition on receiving goods on the upper floors, etc.).
In towns with more than 200,000 inhabitants, as well as in Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne, other constraints are added, such as the requirement not to cause any disorder or danger in the building.
If you work on the first floor, you will not be able to receive customers or merchandise.
Finally, it is forbidden to domicile your company in your own home for more than 5 years.
For young entrepreneurs and growing companies, domiciliation companies are undoubtedly the best alternative.
Contrary to popular belief, you can get a postal address for as little as a few dozen euros a month!
This way, you can protect your privacy while benefiting from an address located in the best areas of Paris and the surrounding region.
A real eye-catcher for your business card, it inspires confidence in all your partners.
So you can enjoy all the advantages of working from home, without the disadvantages!
And that's not all! Thanks to domiciliation companies, you can benefit from additional services to lighten your daily routine and improve your performance.
Companies have developed "à la carte" services to suit all budgets, adding secretarial services, telephone hotlines, legal assistance or the provision of premises for meetings, for example.
Keeping accounting and administrative documents is one of the legal obligations that all domiciliation companies must provide to their customers.
It must prove that it is the legal owner of the premises, and that a certain level of confidentiality is required for the proper conduct of its business activities.
With a minimum duration of three months, the contract can be renewed by tacit agreement without notice of termination.
The domiciliation contract must be registered with the RCS of the domiciled party.
The domiciled company undertakes to declare its domiciliation when applying for registration with the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés.
It undertakes to use the premises as the company's registered office, and must inform the domiciliation company of any changes concerning its activity, its personal details or those of its company.
Business domiciliation is the ideal alternative for entrepreneurs looking to cut costs and improve performance!
A real competitive advantage, it has won over many entrepreneurs over the years, and continues to be a success!
Written by our expert Paul LASBARRERES-CANDAU
June 18, 2019
