What is a Siren or Siret Number?

A SIREN number is a unique French business identification number and proves a business to be fully french registered. You will need this 9 digit number when contacting any French Administration.

The difference between the SIREN and SIRET is that the extra 5 digits added onto the end of the SIREN number makes the full SIRET number. These digits refer to the business location.

How to get a SIRET number?

A SIRET number will be issued to you when you register your business. You will need to contact your (CFE) Centre des Formalities des Entreprises, which one, is dependant on your business activity :

Commercial –  Chambre de Commerce et d’industrie

Trade –  Chambre de Metiers et Artisans

‘ProfessionLiberale’ –  URSSAF

‘Agent Commercial’ – Greffe

Agriculture – Chambre d’Agriculture

Others – Centre d’impôts

The CFE will forward your application to the Greffe (french commercial court) to check out any past convictions that could stand in the way of you starting a business.

IMPORTANT : Finally, while you may think it the responsibility of the tradesmen, there are large penalties however on both the CUSTOMERS side and TRADESPERSONS side when using unregistered tradespeople, so, it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the tradesmen they use are fully registered and insured. You would therefore be liable if an uninsured tradesperson had an accident at your premises !