SAS vs SARL vs EURL vs SASU simulator 2026
Compare French SAS, SARL, EURL and SASU through a founder lens: pay, dividends, co-founders, fundraising, social protection and governance.
Estimate the indicative cost of a founder net salary under each structure.
Compare simplified dividend treatment and retained profit capacity.
Identify when co-founders, governance or fundraising should drive the decision.
The right French company form depends on the real project
The choice is not only about social charges. A business with co-founders, planned fundraising, recurring dividends or a strong need for social protection needs a different setup from a solo consulting activity. The simulator gives a first model, then the legal and tax choices need to be reviewed.
SAS and SASU
SAS and SASU are flexible and widely understood by investors. Founder payroll costs can be higher, but the structure is often better suited to capital changes and growth.
- Useful for investors, stock options and several founders.
- Dividends are modelled separately from president salary.
- Often preferred by startups and companies expecting capital movements.
SARL and EURL
SARL and EURL can fit owner-managed businesses looking for a more standardised framework and lower indicative social cost on manager pay. Governance and future capital changes need to be anticipated.
- Often relevant for family, owner-managed or patrimonial projects.
- The majority manager regime must be compared with desired protection.
- Less natural when investors are expected quickly.
Founder decision
The right decision connects tax, payroll, cash flow, shareholders, legal documents and exit horizon. Coherence matters more than the headline number.
- Test several pay levels before signing articles.
- Plan VAT, payroll, corporate tax and related-party flows.
- Align the structure with the next 24 months.
Before choosing your French legal form
A useful simulation must be reviewed alongside articles of association, shareholding, financial forecasts and founder income needs.
- Define the founder net income needed during the first year.
- List co-founders, investors, option plans or future share issues.
- Compare social cost, protection, dividends and company cash flow.
- Validate the incorporation timeline, contributions, bank setup and accounting obligations.
Hayot Expertise analysis
We treat the structure choice as a management decision: founder income, social protection, corporate tax, VAT, shareholders and financing path. SAS can be excellent for a startup, but excessive for a stable solo business; EURL can be rational, but too rigid if capital must change.
The underestimated risk
The wrong structure rarely costs only in charges. It can block an investment round, make shareholder exits harder, create poorly calibrated pay or leave too little cash for tax and contributions.
What the founder must decide
- The personal net income to secure during the first 12 months.
- The amount of profit to retain for growth.
- The governance needed if co-founders or investors join.
- When a solo setup should become a scalable structure.
2026 watchpoints
- Check current social and tax rules before paying the founder.
- Do not plan dividends without distributable profit and cash.
- Review articles if stock options, investors or a shareholders agreement are expected.
- Integrate e-invoicing and accounting workflows from incorporation.
FAQ: SAS, SARL, EURL and SASU
Is SAS always better than SARL for fundraising?
SAS is often more flexible for investors, but the decision depends on share rights, governance and the investment plan. The simulator does not replace a legal review.
Is SARL always cheaper for the founder?
The majority manager regime can show a lower indicative social cost on pay, but protection, dividends, cash flow and personal goals must also be included.
Should a solo founder choose EURL or SASU?
EURL can suit regular income and a structured owner-managed setup. SASU is often chosen when investor-readiness or future capital flexibility matters.
Should dividends drive the choice?
Dividends matter, but they should not be the only criterion. They require distributable profit, available cash and a coherent investment policy.
Why validate the result with an accountant?
Payroll, social charges, corporate tax, VAT and founder-company flows need to be checked against your actual situation before incorporation.
Official sources
Updated on 4 May 2026. The calculation is indicative and must be reviewed for your situation.
Go further
Choosing between SAS, SARL, EURL or SASU?
We can model founder pay, dividends, shareholding and growth plans before you commit to the wrong structure.