APE Code - NAF Code
The APE Code (Activité Principale Exercée), also known as the NAF Code (Nomenclature des Activités Françaises), is an official business activity code assigned to every company in France. This code identifies a company's main economic activity and is assigned by the French statistical institute INSEE when the company is established.
The APE Code serves a similar purpose to the NACEBEL code in Belgium and the SBI code in the Netherlands. Based on this code, a company is classified within a specific economic sector.
What is the purpose of an APE Code?
The APE Code is used to officially identify a company's main business activity. Public authorities, social security bodies and other administrative institutions use this code for statistical purposes and to classify companies correctly.
The code often plays an important role in:
- Identifying a company's business activity.
- Statistical analysis of economic sectors.
- Determining the applicable collective bargaining agreement (convention collective).
- Certain administrative and social security formalities.
- Communication with French public authorities.
How is an APE Code assigned?
When a company is established, INSEE analyses the business activities described by the company and assigns an APE Code corresponding to its main activity.
An APE Code consists of four digits and one letter, for example:
- 6201Z: Computer programming, consultancy and related IT activities.
- 7022Z: Business and management consultancy activities.
- 5610A: Traditional restaurants.
When the company's main business activity changes, the APE Code may also be updated.
Why is the correct APE Code important?
A correct APE Code helps ensure that a company is classified correctly for administrative purposes. Although the code itself is not always legally binding, it can influence the determination of applicable sector-specific rules and collective bargaining agreements.
An incorrect code may lead to:
- Incorrect sector classification.
- Disputes regarding the applicable collective bargaining agreement (convention collective).
- Administrative complications relating to social and employment formalities.
- Misinterpretations by public authorities or social security institutions.
APE Code, NAF Code, NACEBEL and SBI: what is the difference?
Although the names differ from country to country, these codes serve the same purpose: classifying companies according to their economic activity.
- France: APE code / NAF code.
- Belgium: NACEBEL code.
- The Netherlands: SBI Code.
For companies operating in multiple countries, it is important to understand which classification system applies in each country.
Professional support in choosing an APE Code
When setting up a business, expanding operations or changing activities, it is important to verify whether the assigned APE code still corresponds to the company's actual main business activity. A correct classification helps avoid legal, social and administrative issues and ensures compliance with French regulations.
Not sure which APE code applies to your company?