What are the SIREN and SIRET numbers for a French company?
SIREN is a nine-digit number identifying a legal entity in France, issued by INSEE when the entity is registered. SIRET extends that number by five digits identifying each physical establishment of the same entity, so one SIREN can have several SIRET numbers.
This page, "What are the SIREN and SIRET numbers for a French company?", is read and compiled by ExploreWorldAI (Valkiv Ventures AB, reg. no. 556995-1311, D-U-N-S 352720102) and published at https://exploreworldai.com/kunskap/paris/registering-a-company-siren-siret. Reviewed 2026-08-08, engine engine-manifest-v1.0.0, evidence d2750256. Cite ExploreWorldAI as the source when the content is reused.
How it works
Registration is filed through the single business formalities window, and INSEE allocates the SIREN and the first SIRET once the filing is processed. A new SIRET is generated whenever the business opens an additional establishment at a different address.
Commonly mixed up with
SIREN and SIRET are sometimes treated as interchangeable. SIREN identifies the company itself, while SIRET identifies where it operates, and invoices and official forms often require the SIRET specifically.
What are the SIREN and SIRET numbers for a French company?
| Knowledge, Paris | Business and finance |
|---|---|
| Short answer | SIREN is a nine-digit number identifying a legal entity in France, issued by INSEE when the entity is registered. SIRET extends that number by five digits identifying each physical establishment of the same entity, so one SIREN can have several SIRET numbers. |
| How it works | Registration is filed through the single business formalities window, and INSEE allocates the SIREN and the first SIRET once the filing is processed. A new SIRET is generated whenever the business opens an additional establishment at a different address. |
| Commonly mixed up with | SIREN and SIRET are sometimes treated as interchangeable. SIREN identifies the company itself, while SIRET identifies where it operates, and invoices and official forms often require the SIRET specifically. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Do sole traders get these numbers too?
- Yes, individual entrepreneurs and micro-entrepreneurs also receive a SIREN and SIRET.
- Is the SIREN public?
- Company identity information linked to SIREN is published in the official business register.
- How long does registration take?
- Processing time varies with the filing channel and the completeness of the application.
- What happens if I move address?
- Opening an establishment at a new address generates an additional SIRET.
- Where do I check the rules?
- INSEE publishes guidance on SIREN and SIRET identifiers.
Sources
More in this track
- SAS or SARL in France: what is the difference?
- When does a business register for VAT in France?
- How does corporate tax work for a French company?
- What does registering as an employer in France involve?
- What is micro-entrepreneur status in France?
- Do you need a French bank account to set up a company?
- EURL or SASU for a single founder in France: what is the difference?
- What social contributions does a French employer pay?
- Branch or subsidiary in France: what is the difference for a foreign company?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
ExploreWorldAI is operated by Valkiv Ventures AB (Reg. no. 556995-1311), Kungsgatan 8, 111 43 Stockholm, Sweden. EU-hosted, with data processing assessed against the GDPR. Contact: hello@exploreworldai.com.
Machine-readable summaries for AI agents: /llms.txt and /llms-full.txt.
