Why does Leegal ask me to declare beneficial owners?

✅ In Short

Beneficial owners (bénéficiaires effectifs) are the people who directly or indirectly control the business.

🧭 What You Need to Understand

• This information is requested in the creation formalities for many companies.
• It identifies the people who hold a significant share of the capital, voting rights or control.
• The topic can be sensitive when there are several partners or a partner company.

🧩 Why It Matters

Formalities information is reused in the creation documents and may be checked by the competent organizations. A small mistake in an address, manager, partner, capital or activity can therefore lead to a correction request. It is better to handle these points calmly before validation.

💡 Simple Example

For example, a person who directly holds more than 25% of the capital or voting rights may need to be declared as a beneficial owner (bénéficiaire effectif). A person can also control a company indirectly through another partner company.

🔎 Do Not Confuse

Information requested in the process is not requested out of curiosity. It can be used to identify the business, the people involved or the documents needed. When data seems sensitive, mainly check that it matches the reality of the file exactly.

🛠️ How to Do It on Leegal

• Indicate the people who hold more than 25% if the process asks for it.
• Check voting rights and indirect control situations.
• Ask for a check if you do not know how to handle a holding company or an ownership chain.

⚠️ Points to Check

• Do not confuse a beneficial owner (bénéficiaire effectif) with a company officer.
• A person can be a beneficial owner even if they are not the listed company officer.

📌 Key Takeaway

Beneficial owners (bénéficiaires effectifs) identify who really controls the company.

Related articles

• Why do my answers change the proposed legal forms?
• Why does Leegal ask me to specify my activity?
• Why must the capital distribution be consistent?

Updated on: 09/07/2026