France business creation reaches record levels amid financing hurdles

France recorded a record 1.16 million business creations in 2025, according to INSEE. However, many new entrepreneurs, particularly those under the micro-entrepreneur regime, face significant hurdles in securing professional vehicle financing.

Because the micro-entrepreneur status exempts business owners from providing balance sheets or tax returns, traditional banks and leasing providers often reject their applications for professional credit. This lack of financial history frequently forces new business owners to rely on more expensive short-term rentals rather than long-term solutions like Lease with Option to Purchase (LOA) or Long-Term Leasing (LLD).