Open a Merchant Account in France

France is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to the use of high-tech and online services. The great number of companies selling their products and services via the Internet has determined the government to create the legal framework through which payments can be made by using special equipment for processing transactions concluded in the online environment. However, in order to be allowed to make these payments, a French company must open a merchant account.

Our company formation consultants in France can offer information on the legislation related to the opening of a merchant account.

What is a French merchant account?

The merchant account is a bank account which can be opened in France for the purpose of accepting funds. There is a great number of banks in France which allow the setup of merchant accounts through which companies are allowed to accept payments made through various terminals. However, there are also financial companies authorized to open merchant accounts in France. Here, these companies are referred to as acquirers.

Choosing a bank or an acquirer for opening a merchant account will depend on the type of payments the French company wants to offer to its clients and the fees practiced by the bank or the acquirer. It should be noted that more and more companies now accept contactless payments in France.

Our company registration agents in France can also help those interested in starting an online business here.

How to create a merchant account in France

Foreign investors opening companies in France and deciding to sell services or products at a distance, have the possibility of opening merchant accounts in order to accept payments from their clients. It must be noted that if the company will accept various payment methods it will also need several merchant accounts.

In order to create a French merchant account, the company must prepare a set of documents, among which information about the company and the services solicited to the bank or acquirer where the account will be opened.

You have all the support offered by our accountants in France, if you want to open a company in this country. Our recommendation is to outsource these services in exchange for setting up an entire department to benefit from well-trained people and advantageous costs. Payroll involves the procedures for calculating and delivering salaries in the company, and with the help of bookkeeping, all the financial inputs and outputs in the company can be recorded.

For full information on the documentation needed to set up a merchant bank account, do not hesitate to contact us. You can also rely on our French company formation representatives if you want to open a company in this country.