Register of beneficial owners: who can access it in 2026?
Accessto the register of beneficial owners allows the identification of natural persons who own or control, directly or indirectly, a company or other legal entity. However, since July 31, 2024, this access is no longer freely open to the general public: it is now reserved for authorized persons or those demonstrating a legitimate interest.
The information contained in this register, long freely accessible to the general public, is now subject to restricted access. Since July 31, 2024, consulting it requires demonstrating a legitimate interest, unless specifically authorized.
This development stems in particular from a ruling of November 22, 2022, in which the Court of Justice of the European Union held that general public access to the register constituted a disproportionate infringement of the right to privacy and the protection of personal data. The new French regime was subsequently clarified by Law No. 2025-391 of April 30, 2025, and by Decree No. 2026-310 of April 24, 2026. Public service
What is a beneficial owner?
The beneficial owner is the natural person who ultimately controls a company or on whose behalf a transaction is carried out.
For a company, this generally refers to the natural person who:
- holds, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of its capital;
- holds, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of its voting rights;
- exercises, by any other means, a power of control over the company;
- or, when no person can be identified according to these criteria, performs the functions of legal representative.
The declaration of beneficial owners is mandatory when the company is formed. It must then be updated when the persons concerned, the control structure or the information declared changes.
Is access to the register of beneficial owners still public?
No. Since July 31, 2024, the register of beneficial owners is no longer freely accessible to the general public.
This restriction follows the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 22 November 2022. The European court considered that indiscriminate access by any person to the data in the register constituted a serious interference with the rights to respect for private life and the protection of personal data.
Access remains possible for several categories of people, depending on their status or the purpose of their request.
Who can access the register of beneficial owners?
The reporting companies
A company or entity can access information relating to its own beneficial owners.
This access allows him in particular to verify the accuracy of the information entered in the register and to carry out, if necessary, a modification formality on the Single Business Portal.
Authorized authorities and professionals
Certain authorities have access to the register for the performance of their duties, including:
- the judicial authorities;
- tax and customs services;
- the judicial police services;
- TRACFIN;
- the French Anti-Corruption Agency;
- the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life;
- the authorities responsible for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Professionals subject to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations may also access the information necessary to carry out their due diligence measures. This includes, within the limits set by law, banks, accountants, auditors, notaries, and lawyers.
Persons with a legitimate interest
A natural or legal person may request access to certain information if they can demonstrate a legitimate interest related to the prevention or fight against money laundering, its underlying offences or the financing of terrorism.
The following are presumed to have such an interest:
- journalists and people engaged in media activities related to these issues;
- certain non-profit organizations;
- university researchers working on corruption or financial crime;
- individuals likely to enter into business relations with a company and wishing to verify their future contracting party;
- public buyers and contracting authorities, for companies participating in a public procurement procedure.
The detailed list is found inArticle L. 561-46-2 of the Monetary and Financial Code.
How to request access to the register of beneficial owners?
In practice, accessto the register of beneficial owners requires submitting an application to the INPI or the competent clerk, except when the applicant already has legal authorization.
In practice, the applicant must:
- create or use your INPI Connect account;
- download and complete the application form;
- specify the company or companies concerned;
- explain the legitimate interest invoked;
- attach the corresponding supporting documents;
- submit the request using the INPI's dedicated interface.
The INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property) reviews the application and may request additional information or supporting documents. For applications concerning a specific company, information is provided via a summary sheet in PDF format. Certain authorized individuals may have broader access through a dedicated interface. Consult the INPI's procedure.
When a legitimate interest is recognized, a three-year access certificate may be issued.
From November 10, 2026, the INPI or the clerk must rule on applications falling under this procedure within twelve days. This deadline is set by decree no. 2026-310 of April 24, 2026.
What information can be communicated?
The person whose legitimate interest is recognized may, in particular, obtain:
- the name and preferred name of the beneficial owner;
- his possible pseudonym;
- his first names;
- his month and year of birth;
- his nationality;
- his state of residence;
- the chain of ownership;
- certain historical data;
- the nature and extent of the effective interests held in the entity.
The most sensitive information, such as home address or the precise day and place of birth, remains reserved for authorities, reporting entities and legally authorized professionals.
Why consult the register before a transaction?
Consulting the register of beneficial owners can be a useful precaution before:
- the conclusion of an important contract;
- an acquisition or taking a stake;
- the takeover of a company;
- entering into a relationship with a new partner;
- the payment of funds;
- an operation presenting a risk of fraud, corruption or money laundering.
The information obtained does not, however, replace the need to carry out other necessary legal, financial, and reputational checks. It must be compared with the articles of association, the extract from the National Business Register, the financial statements, and, where applicable, the complete structure of the group concerned.
The Corporate department of the firm ARST Avocats assists companies in identifying and declaring their beneficial owners, updating the register, and carrying out due diligence prior to an acquisition or entering into a relationship with a business partner.
Article written by Morgan Jamet
