French Polynesia. Tahiti. Bora Bora. Crystal lagoons, overwater bungalows, and a cost of living that punches you in the gut harder than a Polynesian warrior. If you’re thinking about setting up a company here, you’re either chasing a very specific business model—tourism, pearl farming, offshore yachting services—or you’ve fallen in love with the islands and refuse to leave.
I get it. But romance doesn’t pay the bills.
Let me walk you through what it actually costs to incorporate and maintain a Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL), the local equivalent of a Limited Liability Company, in French Polynesia. The numbers are real. The bureaucracy is French. The expenses are Pacific.
What You’ll Pay Just to Exist: Company Creation Costs
Starting a SARL in French Polynesia isn’t a weekend project. You’re dealing with a hybrid Franco-Polynesian legal framework, which means double the paperwork and fees that reflect the isolation premium. Everything costs more when you’re 6,000 kilometers from the nearest continent.
Here’s the damage:
| Expense Item | Cost (XPF) |
|---|---|
| CCISM (CDFE) registration fee | 5,000 XPF |
| RCS (Greffe) registration fee (M1 form) | 8,100 XPF |
| Legal publication in the JOPF (Journal Officiel) | 15,000 XPF |
| Professional legal fees (Lawyer/Notary for drafting statutes) | 150,000 XPF |
| Total Sunk Costs | 178,100 XPF |
That’s roughly 178,100 XPF (approximately $1,580 USD) in non-recoverable setup costs. Sounds reasonable? Not when you realize the XPF is pegged to the Euro at a fixed rate, and the real killer is that lawyer bill.
The 150,000 XPF ($1,330 USD) for legal drafting isn’t optional theater. French Polynesia inherited the French obsession with formalism. Your statutes must be drafted correctly, comply with local commercial code, and often require notarization depending on the activity. DIY incorporation? Forget it. The local administration won’t even look at your paperwork unless it’s been blessed by a licensed professional.
The Minimum Capital Trap
Good news: The minimum share capital for a SARL is technically 1 XPF. Yes, one Pacific Franc. Bad news: It must be paid upfront. All of it.
Now, nobody in their right mind capitalizes a company at 1 XPF unless they’re setting up a shell. If you want to open a bank account, lease commercial space, or gain any credibility with suppliers, you’ll need to inject real capital. Most local banks expect at least 500,000 to 1,000,000 XPF ($4,400 to $8,900 USD) to even consider you seriously.
The Annual Bleed: Maintenance Costs
Incorporation is just the entry ticket. Now comes the recurring nightmare.
| Annual Expense | Cost (XPF) |
|---|---|
| Annual Business License Tax (Contribution des Patentes – Minimum) | 30,000 XPF |
| Mandatory accounting and tax filing services | 150,000 XPF |
| Annual filing of social accounts (RCS) | 10,000 XPF |
| Annual Minimum Total | 190,000 XPF |
| Annual Maximum Estimate | 450,000 XPF |
You’re looking at a minimum of 190,000 XPF (roughly $1,690 USD) per year just to keep the lights on administratively. No employees. No office. No revenue. Just pure compliance cost.
That accounting line? Non-negotiable. French Polynesia follows French accounting standards, which means plan comptable, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and annual submissions to the Greffe (Commercial Court Registry). Unless you’re a licensed accountant fluent in French legal terminology, you’re hiring someone. And in a market with limited professionals and high living costs, they charge accordingly.
The 150,000 XPF ($1,330 USD) is the floor for a dormant or micro-entity. If you have actual turnover, employees, or complexity, expect 300,000 to 450,000 XPF ($2,670 to $4,000 USD) annually.
The Patente: An Archaic but Unavoidable Tax
The Contribution des Patentes is French Polynesia’s business license tax. It’s a relic. Every business pays it, even if you’re operating at a loss. The minimum is 30,000 XPF ($267 USD), but it scales based on your business category, location, and turnover. If you’re running a retail shop in Papeete, this can climb quickly.
It’s not income tax. It’s not VAT. It’s just… a tax for existing as a business. Welcome to the Pacific.
What You’re Actually Buying
Let me be blunt. French Polynesia is not a low-cost jurisdiction. It’s not a tax haven in the traditional sense. Corporate income tax exists. Social charges are steep if you hire locals. The regulatory environment is bureaucratic and Francophone.
So why bother?
1. Territorial tax advantages. If your income is sourced outside French Polynesia, certain structures can benefit from reduced taxation. But this requires careful planning and substance.
2. EU trade agreements. French Polynesia is an Overseas Country and Territory (OCT) of the EU, giving you preferential access to European markets under specific conditions.
3. Lifestyle arbitrage. If you’re generating revenue remotely and want to live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, the cost of a legal entity is the price of admission.
But don’t confuse lifestyle with fiscal optimization. This is not the Bahamas. It’s not even Mauritius.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Beyond the line items, you need to budget for:
- Bank account opening: Expect delays, French-language documentation, and potential travel to Tahiti. Some banks charge setup fees.
- Apostilles and translations: If you’re a foreign national, your identity documents will need to be apostilled and translated by a certified translator. Add another 50,000 to 80,000 XPF ($445 to $710 USD).
- Domiciliation: If you don’t have a physical office, you’ll need a registered address service. Budget 60,000 to 120,000 XPF ($535 to $1,070 USD) annually.
- Legal consultations: Ongoing compliance questions. Immigration status. Tax treaty interpretation. You’ll be calling that lawyer again. Bill accordingly.
Is It Worth It?
Only if the jurisdiction serves a strategic purpose beyond incorporation itself. French Polynesia offers stability, a European legal framework in the Pacific, and access to a niche market. But it’s expensive, bureaucratic, and isolated.
If you’re looking for pure tax efficiency, look elsewhere. If you’re building a business tied to the region—marine services, tourism, luxury goods, niche exports—then the cost of entry is the cost of doing business.
Do your math. Factor in the lifestyle premium. And if you’re serious, budget at least 500,000 XPF ($4,450 USD) for the first year—setup plus first year maintenance—and be prepared for surprises.
I update this data as I audit jurisdictions across the Pacific. If you’ve recently incorporated in French Polynesia or have access to updated fee schedules from the CCISM or the commercial court, send me the documentation. This database stays current only if we keep feeding it.