France is a key market — but expansion comes with real operational complexity.
Being one of the largest economies in the EU, France offers strong domestic demand and a mature digital ecosystem. For SaaS, consulting, and tech companies, expanding to France often appears early as a strategic move in their international roadmap.
While demand is attractive, the main challenge lies in the complexity of the process.
Opening a legal entity, managing payroll, and navigating French labour law are significant undertakings that require considerable time and resources.
France offers real scale and strategic value. It combines a large domestic market with strong purchasing power and direct access to the European single market.
French buyers, especially in B2B, expect localisation, follow-up and long-term commitment. Language and proximity play a key role in trust and sales cycles.
This is why it is necessary to find and mobilize the right local team, composed of multilingual professionals who can support sales, consulting, and delivery from day one.
To move faster, many companies start by working with professionals already based in France, without opening a subsidiary.
This approach allows them to:
Often, a single senior profile on the ground is enough to validate demand, open doors and generate reliable market insight.
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This model — which Freeteam has perfected since 2008 — allows companies to test the French market before making long-term commitments.
France becomes a strategic decision — based on data, not assumptions.
France offers a large domestic market, strong purchasing power, and access to the European single market. It is particularly attractive for SaaS, consulting, and tech companies looking to scale in Europe.
No. Many companies begin their expansion without opening a local entity by working with professionals already based in France through alternative employment models such as portage salarial.
It enables companies to launch operations quickly, stay compliant with French regulations, reduce fixed costs, and focus on sales, delivery, and market validation instead of administration.
Learn how to hire French talent to test the French market using an employer of record, and validate demand without opening a local entity too early.
More detailsUnderstand the tax implications of hiring in France, from payroll taxes and social contributions to income tax withholding and PE risk.
More detailsLearn why foreign companies use an employer of record in France to hire employees quickly, stay compliant and avoid opening a local entity too early.
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