SASU or EIRL: for every entrepreneur, the question of the legal status of their business is central.

SASU or EIRL: which legal form to choose?

For every entrepreneur, the question of the legal status of his company is central. 
Legal forms
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Mis à jour le 8 octobre 2026
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In 2016, 554,000 businesses were created in France. Many are hesitating between a Société par Actions Simplifiée Unipersonnelle(SASU) or an Entreprise Individuelle à Responsabilité Limitée (EIRL).

Voici toutes les informations nécessaires pour prendre votre décision Sachez que l'EURL constitue également une alternative à étudier, avec une responsabilité limitée aux apports de l'associé unique : vous pouvez en savoir plus sur la création d'une EURL en ligne.

Dossier: choosing between creating an SASU or an EIRL

What is a SASU?

The SASU is a Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) with a single shareholder. The manager is treated as an employee, and creating an SASU is tantamount to setting up a fully-fledged company. It has its own legal entity.

La responsabilité du chef d’entreprise est limitée aux montants de ses apports en capital social. Créer une SASU nécessite la rédaction de statuts et le versement des apports en numéraire sur un compte bloqué. Aussi, les conditions d’exercices de l’activité sont plus strictes et requièrent davantage de démarches administratives. Pour bien démarrer, mieux vaut connaître en détail les démarches de création d'une SASU.

It is not possible to benefit from theauto-entrepreneur scheme regime. You can opt to be taxed under theIR orIS regime. You will not be able to opt for IR taxation for more than 5 years. The company director contributes to the general social security scheme.

SASU is a particularly suitable legal form if your business is set to undergo major upheaval in the coming years.

For example, major investments may require a change in company form. In addition, this status will enable you to continue to benefit from unemployment benefits (if you are not paid) and from the social security coverage offered by the general scheme.

What is an EIRL?

The EIRL is a sole proprietorship with no share capital, no articles of association and no authorization to include another partner. Theentrepreneur is considered to be a sole trader, and no legal entity specific to your business is created.

The entrepreneur's assets and those of the company are not confused. The entrepreneur's liability is limited to the assets assigned to the business.

Creating an EIRL involves fewer administrative formalities

You can opt to be taxed on income or corporation tax. In the first case, profits are taxed according to the income tax scale. It is also possible to switch to the auto-entrepreneur system, within the limits of the sales authorized for this status.

The head of an EIRL is considered a self-employed worker, and contributes to the corresponding social security scheme. Recent reforms announced by the government aim to completely abolish the RSI by 2020. All self-employed workers will contribute to the general social security scheme, like salaried employees.

The EIRL is a more advantageous legal status if your business is likely to present few changes

In concrete terms, it is preferable to opt for an EIRL with corporation tax if you do not plan to include new partners or undergo major structural changes in the next few years (investments, opening up of capital, etc.).

The main advantage of the EIRL is the simplicity of the administrative and legal procedures governing its activity.

Which structure is right for you?

Special report: SASU or EIRL, which legal form to choose?

They enjoy strong popularity among the population, as do sole proprietorships, the number of which is up by 10%.

More than half the companies created in 2016 were Sociétés par Actions Simplifiée.

Rédigé par notre expert·e Paul LASBARRERES-CANDAU
January 11, 2018
Domiciliation + company creation
Kbis fast and 100% online
Creating my company
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