How to Register a Company in Martinique
Registering a company in Martinique involves selecting a company type, choosing a name, preparing documentation, and registering with the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises and Direction Générale des Finances Publiques. By following this guide and utilizing the provided resources, you should be well on your way to successfully establishing your business in Martinique. Be sure to adhere to the requirements and guidelines to ensure a smooth registration process and a successful start for your company in this beautiful Caribbean island region.
Step 1: Choose your company type
The first step in registering a company in Martinique is to select the type of company you want to register. The most common types are:
- Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL)
- Société Anonyme (SA)
- Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS)
- Branch of a foreign company
Step 2: Choose a company name
Before registering your company, you'll need to pick a suitable name. The Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI) has guidelines for acceptable names, which can be found at this link: https://www.inpi.fr
Step 3: Prepare the required documents
Next, prepare the necessary documentation for your chosen company type. The key documents are:
- Statutes (Statuts) (for SARL, SA, and SAS)
- Application for Company Registration (Déclaration de Création d’une Entreprise) (for all types)
These forms can be downloaded from the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE) website: http://www.guadeloupe.cci.fr
Step 4: Identify company officers and shareholders
You will need to identify at least one director (for SARL, SA, and SAS) or one representative (for Branch of a foreign company). Directors or representatives must be at least 18 years old. Shareholders can be individuals or corporate entities.
Step 5: Capital requirements
France requires a minimum capital of €1 for SARLs and SASs, and €37,000 for SAs. There is no minimum capital requirement for branches of foreign companies.
Step 6: Register your company
Once your documents are ready, you can submit your application to the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE). This can be done in person at their office or online via the following link: http://www.guadeloupe.cci.fr
The fees for registering a company are as follows:
- SARL: €39 (approximately)
- SA: €225 (approximately)
- SAS: €39 (approximately)
- Branch of a foreign company: €39 (approximately)
Step 7: Register for taxes
After your company is registered, you must register for taxes with the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP). This can be done in person at the local Tax Office or online via the following link: https://www.impots.gouv.fr
Step 8: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Depending on your business activities, you may need to obtain additional permits or licenses. Check with the relevant authorities and industry regulators for specific requirements.
Time-frame:
The entire registration process, from preparing documents to receiving your Certificate of Incorporation, can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the complexity of your application.
