Can I set up a financial advisory services business in France?
I hold these United States Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses from the US: Series 24 (Managing stockbroker), Series 7 (General stockbroker), Series 66 (Investment Advisory). In addition, I’m an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), licensed to prepare American income tax returns and electronically file them with the (IRS) on behalf of my clients.
I have run my own financial services office in Asia since 1989 with my wife, also licensed by FINRA and the IRS. I have a number of employees in other countries around the world, overseeing their financial business.
My wife and I are considering buying property in France, and would like to know how to legally establish ourselves there. We would have no interest in doing business in France with French nationals - our model is to organise savings/retirement plans for Americans and other expatriates, not in-country nationals.
We are, under US law, self-employed and I assume it would be similar in France. My primary concern is legal recognition of our financial licenses and legal residence upon buying a property.