The registered office
The registered office is the company's administrative and legal address.
The principal establishment is the place where the business is actually carried on.
Most often, the registered office and the establishment share the same address. In some cases, these addresses may differ, particularly where the business is carried on at a different location from where the company is administered:
Example for a restaurant / dark kitchen / hotel / gym:
Registered office: address of the director's home / the company's offices
Principal establishment: address of the restaurant / kitchens / hotel / gym
Domiciliation at the director's home
It is possible to domicile the company at the director's personal home.
Documents required:
Proof of address less than three months old (electricity bill, gas bill, insurance certificate, etc.). Mobile phone bills are not accepted.
Advantages:
Free.
Simple: minimal administrative formalities.
Disadvantages:
Time-limited: the registered office must be transferred with every house move.
Home address made public.
!! Caution if the business requires specific premises to operate (restaurant, hotel…)
Domiciliation company
The company may choose to domicile itself at a specialist domiciliation company.
Documents required:
Domiciliation contract signed with the domiciliation company.
Advantages:
Prestigious address: option to choose an address in a reputable area.
Additional services: access to services such as mail handling, etc.
Confidentiality: the director's address is better protected;
Disadvantages:
Cost: monthly or annual domiciliation fees.
Premises provided free of charge by a legal entity
A legal entity (another company) may provide premises free of charge.
Documents required:
Certificate of provision free of charge signed by the legal entity.
Proof of the legal entity's domiciliation (e.g. Kbis).
Advantages:
Economical: no rental cost.
Disadvantages:
Instability: provision may be revoked at any time.
