Pick your activity: the right status, estimated tax, licences, documents and steps.
The five levels
No prior licence Not on the official list of activities that need a licence: no licence to obtain before starting. The basic formalities (declaration of existence, RNE, CNSS) and the rules for the premises and the activity (hygiene, municipality, safety) still apply — check them.
Registration A registration or a declaration (register, card, declaration): a formality, not a licence to wait for.
Specifications You sign and file the specifications (cahier des charges); with the receipt you can start, inspections come later. Some require a visit before opening: read yours.
Prior licence Prior licence: you wait for the decision before starting (60 days unless the text sets another time).
Regulated profession Reserved activity: a diploma and registration with the professional order or an approval.
Depends on the case It depends on exactly what you do: see the cases.