The information contained in this document is marketing material and for informational purposes only. The information contained in this document is presented without any warranty or representation as to its accuracy or completeness and all implied representations or warranties of any kind are hereby disclaimed. Recipients of this document, whether clients or otherwise, should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in this document without seeking appropriate professional advice. The provision of the information contained in this document does not establish any express or implied duty or obligation between Citco and any recipient and neither Citco nor any of its shareholders, members, directors, principals or personnel shall be responsible or liable for results arising from the use or reliance of the information contained in this document including, without limitation, any loss (whether direct, indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) arising from any decision made or action taken by any party in reliance upon the information contained in this document. © The Citco Group Limited, December 2024.
France – Changes to Director Residential Address Confidentiality
France has introduced significant privacy protections for company directors and unlimited liability shareholders through Decree No. 2025-840 of August 22, 2025.
This new legislation enables eligible individuals to request confidentiality of their personal residential addresses in official registers (RNE and RCS), marking an important shift in balancing corporate transparency with personal privacy rights.
Understanding the New Privacy Framework
The legislation introduces a dual-level privacy system where residential addresses remain in the official register but can be masked from public view.
This approach ensures that while sensitive personal information is protected from general public access, it remains available to authorized authorities and entitled parties when necessary.
The court clerk must process confidentiality requests within five business days, maintaining separate versions of documents for public and authorized access.
Scope of Application
The confidentiality provisions apply to several categories of individuals involved in French entities:
- Company directors, including managers, presidents, general managers, and board members
- Unlimited liability shareholders in general partnerships (SNC) and certain civil companies
- Statutory auditors and permanent representatives
Access Rights and Information Security
While the residential address becomes confidential in public records, specific authorized parties retain access to complete contact details. These include:
- Magistrates and judicial police officers
- Tax authorities and customs officials
- URSSAF and social security funds
- Notaries and commissioners of justice
- Legal representatives of the company
- Shareholders and creditors
Implementation Process
Companies seeking to implement address confidentiality must first identify eligible individuals and gather necessary documentation. The process requires submission of complete residential information along with supporting identification documents.
While the residential address must still be disclosed to the register, the confidentiality measure ensures it appears only in versions accessible to authorized parties.
Record Retention and Documentation
The privacy request documentation is maintained for one year as supporting evidence. This retention period ensures proper documentation of the confidentiality request while maintaining efficient records management. Companies should maintain their own records of confidentiality requests and approvals for internal reference.
Practical Considerations
Organizations should:
- Review their current director and shareholder information
- Identify individuals eligible for address confidentiality
- Establish processes for managing confidentiality requests
- Maintain accurate records of protected addresses
- Ensure proper disclosure to authorized parties when required
How Mercator® by Citco (Mercator) Can Help
For assistance with French address confidentiality requirements or to learn more about our corporate secretarial services, contact mercator@citco.com
