SIREN and SIRET Numbers: How to Apply and Where to Get Them

In France, all businesses are assigned a SIREN number and a SIRET number, both issued by INSEE (the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies). SIREN numbers are unique to the legal entity of that business and are 9 digits long. SIRET numbers are how SIREN numbers are reported with an establishment code which is a further 5 digits, in order to identify the specific business location.

SIREN and SIRET numbers are important to most legal authorities in the administrative, legal, for tax matters/ tax returns, and will appear on legal documentation such as contracts, invoices, tax returns. If you are operating as a company, micro-entrepreneur or an association that is conducting commercial activity, it is illegal to not have a valid SIREN and SIRET number.

What Are SIREN and SIRET Numbers? 

In France, companies have two important identification numbers – the SIREN and the SIRET – both provided by INSEE, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. Though connected, each plays its role in business identification.

The SIREN is a nine-digit code that marks the company as a legal entity. It’s given at the time of registration and remains unchanged throughout the company’s life, regardless of changes in name, address, or business activity. You can think of it as the firm’s official identity number.

The SIRET, on the other hand, is a 14-digit code that pinpoints a specific business location. It’s made up of the SIREN followed by a five-digit NIC (Numéro Interne de Classement), which identifies the individual establishment. If a business operates from a single site, the SIRET will simply be the SIREN plus its NIC. But when a company has several branches, each location will share the same SIREN but have its own NIC, and therefore its own SIRET.

For example:

SIREN Number: 123 456 789

SIRET Number

• Head office: 123 456 789 00010
• Second branch: 123 456 789 00028

In short

• SIREN = Company’s main ID (legal entity)
• SIRET = Company’s location ID (legal entity + specific establishment)

Why Are SIREN and SIRET Numbers Important? 

In France, SIREN and SIRET numbers are central to a company’s legal recognition and day-to-day operations. They confirm the business’s official status and ensure it meets various administrative requirements.

• Legal identification: Businesses receive a SIREN number as proof that their business is recognised and authorised by the French authorities, such as Urssaf and the tax administration. It is similar to your Social Security number, but for businesses.
• Mandatory identification on formal documents: French law requires a valid identification number to be included on invoices, quotations, contracts, business letters and in the 'legal notices' section of an official website. If the verification is absent or incorrect, you will incur a fine which tends to average around €15 for each affected invoice.
• Clarity and differentiation for business records: Each SIREN is specific to each business, so when looking at a public directory and two businesses have similar names, it ensures that you can differentiate between the two. 
• Linkage to VAT registration: A French VAT number is derived from an SIREN and follows the format “FR” followed by a two-digit key, then the nine-digit SIREN. You cannot get VAT registered for cross-border trading within Europe without this number.
• Accessing administrative services: Many processes to follow when becoming an employer, i.e. when hiring staff, will often require the submitter to have a valid SIRET. 
• Accuracy in contracts and billing: Suppliers and clients often request the SIRET as a verification process. The SIRET leads contracted work to a specific branch if a company has more than one location. 
• Transparency and verification: Unique identifiers, as the SIREN and/or SIRET, allow access to the SIRENE directory and other business information platforms. This is often part of due diligence and credit reference checks.
• Use during business relationships: Company details and unique identifiers are also shared while onboarding a supplier, trade credit applications and insurances.

Who Needs a SIREN or SIRET Number?

In France, virtually every formal business activity requires a SIREN and SIRET, regardless of size, sector, or structure.

• French-Registered Businesses: All legal forms, from corporations (SA, SAS) and limited liability companies (SARL, EURL) to micro-entrepreneurs and partnerships, receive a SIREN and at least one SIRET upon registration. Registered non-profit associations also receive a SIREN when engaging in activities.
• Foreign Companies with a Presence in France: Overseas entities establishing a branch or permanent establishment are entered in the French company register and issued a SIREN. Even without a fixed presence, foreign companies may be assigned a “tax SIREN” when registering directly with French tax authorities for VAT purposes.
• Self-Employed Professionals: Professions libérales, artisans, and other independent workers obtain their SIREN/SIRET through registration with their relevant professional body or URSSAF.
• Public Entities: While primarily for administrative purposes, public authorities and municipalities also have SIREN numbers.
• Businesses Invoicing in France: To issue compliant invoices, a SIRET must be displayed. Without it, clients may question the legitimacy of the business, and an unregistered operation can be deemed illegal.

A limited exception exists for certain foreign sellers using the OSS (One Stop Shop) VAT scheme without a physical presence in France, but sustained B2B activity typically requires full registration. In essence, if you are establishing or running any business in France, a SIREN is mandatory for legal and operational compliance.

How to Get a SIREN and SIRET Number?

A SIREN or SIRET is not applied for separately; it is issued automatically when a business is formally registered in France. The allocation is handled by INSEE once the relevant registration authority processes your application.

1. Register with the correct authority (CFE or online portal):

2. Provide complete formation documents: This may include articles of association, identification, proof of address, and any sector-specific declarations. Once accepted, the CFE or court transmits the file to INSEE.

3. Automatic issuance by INSEE: INSEE assigns the SIREN (identifying the legal entity) and corresponding SIRET(s) (identifying each establishment). For companies, these appear on the Extrait Kbis; for micro-entrepreneurs, they are sent by post.

4. Timeframe: With complete documentation, numbers are often issued within days and rarely exceed two weeks.

5. Cost: There is no direct fee for the SIREN/SIRET. Standard business registration charges apply (court, notary, or chamber fees). Micro-entrepreneur registration is typically free.

6. Special cases: Foreign companies opening a branch or subsidiary follow the same process via the commercial court. Those registering only for VAT may not receive a SIREN, but rather a VAT number.

7. Retrieval: Once issued, the numbers can be found on official registration documents or by searching the public SIRENE directory or Infogreffe database.

Where to Register for a SIREN or SIRET Number?

You don’t need to visit a separate office to get a SIREN or SIRET. These numbers are automatically generated when your business is registered. Since January 2023, all business formalities in France have been handled through a single official portal – procedures.inpi.fr, managed by INPI.

How Long Does It Take to Get a SIREN/SIRET Number?

You can check whether your number has been assigned by searching the SIRENE database or infogreffe.fr, even before the official letter reaches you. Legally, it must be in place before trading begins, as operating without it is not permitted.

• Micro-entrepreneurs: Usually 1–2 weeks, though it can be faster. The SIRET is sent by post or email.
• Companies: Often issued within a few days after the Commercial Court confirms registration. In some cases, it arrives in just 48–72 hours if the documents are in order.
• Official advice: Expect 7–14 days for processing, though in reality, many receive it in less than a week.

How to Verify a SIREN or SIRET Number?

Verifying a SIREN or SIRET number helps confirm that a business is legally registered in France. This can be done online for free through official sources. The SIRENE database on sirene.fr provides company details, status, and address. 

Infogreffe at infogreffe.fr offers legal and financial filings, while the INPI portal on procedures.inpi.fr shares business identity and registration data. Always ensure the number is exactly 9 digits for SIREN or 14 digits for SIRET; if it doesn’t appear in records or shows as “radiée” (closed), the business is no longer active.

Conclusion

SIREN or SIRET numbers are mandatory for companies, micro-entrepreneurs, associations, and even foreign entities conducting commercial activity in France. They are required on invoices, contracts, and most official documents, ensuring transparency, legal compliance, and facilitating administrative processes like VAT registration and hiring employees.

Obtaining a SIREN or SIRET is straightforward: they are issued automatically after business registration through the appropriate authority—commercial court, Chamber of Trades, URSSAF, or prefecture usually via the central portal procedures.inpi.fr. There is no separate fee for these numbers, and they are typically issued within days to two weeks. Once registered, you can find and verify your SIREN/SIRET numbers on official documents or through public databases such as sirene.fr and infogreffe.fr.