# Does forming a company give you the right to live or work in France?

Updated : 2026-10-22 · Source : https://legalrapide.fr/en/reponses/societe-droit-sejour/

No. Forming or running a French company does not, on its own, give **any right of residence** or right to work in France. A national of a country outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland who wants to settle in France and run their business from there must obtain a long-stay visa or an appropriate residence permit, for example the "passeport talent" card, under the conditions set by the authorities.

## Key points
- You can be president of a French company while living abroad.
- Settling in France to work requires a residence permit that authorises the activity.
- The conditions (financial resources, project, length of residence depending on the case) fall under immigration law: check with the official services or a lawyer.

## Sources
- [Service-public: can a foreign national start a business in France?](https://entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr/vosdroits/F22494)
- [Service-public: how can a foreign national run a company in France?](https://entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr/vosdroits/F36405)