Set up a training organisation in France
Your company is based abroad and wants to deliver vocational training in France? We map the whole journey: legal framework, activity declaration, Qualiopi and funding.
How does a foreign company set up in France?
The French training market is open to foreign players, provided they meet the national rules: activity declaration, quality obligations and, to access funding, Qualiopi certification.
Two main routes exist. The first is to create a French entity (subsidiary or stable establishment) that carries the training activity and makes invoicing public funders straightforward. The second, under conditions, is to declare an activity from abroad with the relevant authority (DREETS).
In both cases you obtain an activity declaration number and must comply with the National Quality Framework to earn Qualiopi. Our base near Geneva makes us a natural partner for cross-border projects.
From entry to your first funded course
Legal set-up
Choosing the structure (subsidiary, establishment), contracts, French tax and social obligations.
Activity declaration
Filing the application and obtaining the activity declaration number from the DREETS.
Qualiopi
Building the quality system aligned with the RNQ and passing the certification audit.
Funding access
CPF/EDOF referencing and OPCO agreements to tap French funding.
Your investor journey
Your questions about setting up
Can a foreign company set up a training organisation in France?
Yes. It can create a French entity or declare a training activity from abroad under conditions. In both cases it obtains an activity declaration number and should pursue Qualiopi certification to access funding.
How long does it take?
Usually 2 to 5 months: entity creation if needed, activity declaration, building the quality system and passing the Qualiopi audit.
Is a French legal entity mandatory?
Not always, but a French subsidiary or establishment greatly simplifies the activity declaration, invoicing public funders and obtaining Qualiopi.
Let’s secure your entry into France
A first call — in English or French — to scope your set-up and its timeline.