Register of European companies: scam or commercial offer?

Updated March 29, 2026 - Many newly created companies receive letters or emails asking them to pay for registration in a supposed register of European companies. In practice, two hypotheses must be distinguished: either a more or less misleading commercial offer, or a scam. The bad reflex consists of paying too quickly while believing in an obligatory formality.

The DGCCRF has been warning for several years about false registration letters in the RCS or in para-official registers. One of the economie.gouv.fr files explicitly recalls the RCS registration scam. Another notice warns that some sites charge unjustified fees for company registrations or changes.

At the same time, Entreprendre.Service-Public recalls that the RNE has been the sole registration body since 2023 for French entities carrying out an economic activity.

To complete, see Declaration of beneficial owners, Business creation: expert formula and Tax verification.

Ask yourself four simple questions:

• ▸does the organization clearly state that this is a commercial offer?
• ▸does it refer to an official site at .gouv.fr?
• ▸is he asking you for urgent payment for a registration already allegedly due?
• ▸does it create confusion with the RCS, the RNE, the INPI or a public service?

When the letter clearly indicates that it is a paid offer for private referencing, we are not necessarily involved in criminal fraud, but often in an offer that is of little use. When there is confusion about the obligatory nature of the formality, the risk of scam is much greater.

• ▸do not pay in a hurry;
• ▸check the site and domain;
• ▸compare with official channels;
• ▸ask for an opinion before any payment.

Hayot Expertise Advice: if a letter plays on administrative fear and urgency, it must be treated as suspicious until its nature is clarified.

We help managers verify the actual formalities, identify incidentals and secure their legal obligations of creation or modification.

Quick link: Have your formalities and administrative letters checked

In 2026, a “register of European companies” letter must never be paid reflexively. The real question is simple: is it a mandatory formality, a commercial offer or an attempt at deception?

Contact: Have you received questionable mail after a company creation or modification? Our firm can help you sort things out before any payment. Make an appointment with Hayot Expertise

(Official sources: economie.gouv.fr - fake sites and administrative scams, Entreprendre.Service-Public.fr - RNE)