France sets new rules for access to its beneficial ownership register
France's Decree no. 2026-310 of 24 April 2026 overhauls access to the register of beneficial owners (registre des bénéficiaires effectifs), implementing the EU's sixth anti-money laundering directive. Outside public authorities and obliged professionals, access is for people with a legitimate interest. The registrar decides requests within 12 working days and grants certificates valid for three years.
Decree no. 2026-310 of 24 April 2026, on access to the register of beneficial owners and the training duty of professionals subject to anti-money laundering rules, transposes articles 12 and 13 of the EU's sixth anti-money laundering directive (2024/1640). The amended access provisions apply from 26 April 2026.
What changed
- Competent public authorities and obliged professionals keep full access.
- Others can access company beneficial ownership data only with a legitimate interest.
- The registrar decides requests within 12 working days. Successful legitimate-interest applicants get a certificate valid for three years.
- The decree also sets a training duty for professionals subject to anti-money laundering obligations.
- The INPI, which operates the register through the national business register, updated its access terms and application form in June 2026.
Who is affected
French companies and their beneficial owners, and journalists, researchers and others who use the register.