Mandatory safety standards

Display of safety guidelines for saunas, hammams and all other spa facilities. Be prepared to keep everyone safe

Accessibility standards for people with disabilities

An inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone is essential. This means installing access ramps for people with reduced mobility, ensuring doorways are wide enough for wheelchairs, and providing accessible restrooms. Equipment and treatment rooms must also be accessible, with height-adjustable tables and enough room to move around. Spas are often classified as Category 5 public-access buildings (ERP), serving fewer than 300 people. Spa staff must be trained to welcome and serve guests with disabilities, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience.

Qualifications, certificates and training recognised by the State

There is no formal qualification required to open a spa. However, if you offer beauty treatments, your staff must hold one of the following qualifications: CAP Certificate in Beauty Therapy, body treatments option; Professional Certificate in Beauty Therapy; A two-year vocational diploma in beauty therapy or a vocational qualification in beauty therapy.

Water hygiene, waste management for body treatments, disinfection, ventilation… all are critical issues governed by the Public Health Code. Some establishments must also follow procedures overseen by the Regional Health Agency, as we explain below.

Official regulations and the formalities to complete before opening your spa

Several declarations are required: first, to your local council, then to the Regional Health Agency. Whether you are planning a thermal spa, a thalassotherapy spa or a conventional day spa, the use of hot water above 30°C must be declared and inspected by the health authorities. The Ministry of Health requires mandatory signage, water sampling and the use of specific products. The business registration formalities will vary depending on the legal structure of your spa or wellness center. From registering your business and depositing your share capital with a bank or notary, to publishing a legal notice, an accountant or your local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) can help you understand your obligations.

What legal structure should you choose to open a spa?

1. Opening a spa as a sole proprietor We advise against self-employed status, given the investment required to open a premium spa or beauty salon. You will not be able to deduct your expenses or reclaim the VAT paid to suppliers and equipment providers. 2. Opening a Spa as a Company To decide which legal structure to choose, you first need to know who you want to rely on to open your wellness center. Whether you’re starting the project on your own as a SASU or EURL, with a partner as a SAS or SARL, or as a couple, the implications for financial liability, debts and protection of your personal assets are not the same. Make sure you’re confident in your choice!

Management and scheduling software

These tools are essential for streamlining spa operations. They help manage appointments efficiently, providing an overview of employee schedules and available treatment rooms. They also make client management easier, with personalized profiles containing information about preferences, treatments received and loyalty programs. What’s more, they often include features for billing, product inventory management and performance tracking. By automating these tasks, this software helps improve operations and deliver a smoother, more personalized client experience. A detailed article is coming soon to the wellness news page!

Is opening a spa profitable?

A spa’s profitability is measured using several indicators: treatment room occupancy, average spend per client, treatment menu renewal rate, and the balance between fixed costs (rent, salaries, technical maintenance) and revenue. A spa attached to a hotel or residential complex often reaches break-even sooner, as its captive audience reduces acquisition costs, while an independent spa in an urban center requires more time to build customer loyalty and a strong local presence. Profitability therefore depends less on the concept itself than on how well it matches the actual clientele and on the rigor of day-to-day operations. This is what Wellness Consulting puts in place from the feasibility study stage, with business plans featuring multi-year projections.

What permits do you need to open a spa?

Opening a spa requires notifying the local town hall and, if the premises offer hydrotherapy facilities (hot tub, hammam, sauna), submitting a technical file to the Regional Health Agency (ARS), including facility plans and a water treatment protocol. The town hall then issues the opening permit once the ARS has approved the file, following checks on water treatment, ventilation and hygiene measures. Allow around two months to obtain all the necessary permits. Requirements and timelines should be confirmed with your local town hall and ARS, as they may vary depending on the project.

What regulations apply to opening a spa?

Spa regulations cover several areas: public-access building standards, including compliance inspections, accessibility for people with reduced mobility and fire safety; Regional Health Agency hygiene requirements for any facility using water (regular checks recorded in a health log, ventilation and water treatment); and obligations specific to each type of service. A CAP Esthétique Cosmétique Parfumerie qualification is required as soon as the spa offers beauty treatments, while no qualification is required for wellness massage and access to facilities alone. Professional liability insurance is also essential.

What budget do you need to open a spa?

The cost of opening a spa varies considerably depending on its size and level of luxury, but typically starts at around €100,000 for a space of approximately 90 m². A fully equipped spa with a hammam, sauna and hot tub will generally require 150 to 300 m² and a significantly larger investment. You’ll also need to budget for administrative and regulatory costs (business registration, professional liability insurance and ERP compliance), typically €3,000 to €7,000, as well as enough working capital to cover 6 to 9 months of fixed costs. Spas generally take longer to reach full capacity than other wellness businesses. A precise estimate always requires a bespoke feasibility study.

What equipment do you need to open a spa?

The equipment needed to open a spa depends on the facilities you plan to offer: treatment rooms with tables, products and beauty equipment, and, where applicable, a hammam, sauna, jacuzzi or pool. Each requires enhanced plumbing, ventilation suited to humid spaces and electrical systems sized for water heating. You will also need reception and changing-room equipment, relaxation furniture and management software for bookings, payments and customer records. Your choice of equipment should be guided by your treatment menu and concept, not the other way around, to avoid unnecessary investment.

How to Create a Business Plan to Open a Spa?

A business plan for opening a spa is built on market research (target customers, local competition and positioning), a detailed breakdown of investment and fixed costs, several revenue forecasts based on expected occupancy, and sufficient working capital to cover the first few months of operation. It’s both a management tool and a way to secure bank financing. Wellness Consulting prepares business plans with multi-year projections tailored to each type of establishment, whether hotel-based, urban or clinical.

How do you open a spa with a hammam?

Opening a hammam spa follows the same steps as opening a conventional spa (legal status, declaration to the local council, compliance with public-access building regulations), with additional technical requirements for steam: a fully waterproofed room, ventilation with steam extraction sized to expected occupancy, lighting and electrical equipment certified for humid environments, and a steam generator that complies with safety standards. Before an opening permit can be obtained, the technical file submitted to the Regional Health Agency must detail these installations. A professional hammam generally requires more space than a massage-only spa to accommodate changing rooms, a relaxation room and technical areas.

Open a spa

Wellness Consulting supports you from market research through to project delivery

Is opening a spa or a fitness center the next step in developing your business? Our team will guide you every step of the way through the design
of your project. Understanding the local wellness market is no easy task. The experience of our consultancy will help you confidently navigate all the steps
needed to achieve your goal. Together, we’ll create value and drive innovation! Whether you’re planning a restructuring or a new opening within your establishment, our consultancy offers a turnkey solution to make your project a success.

Un cercle avec le numéro 1 à l'intérieur.

Un cercle avec le numéro quatre à l'intérieur.

Opening a spa: wellness project development and management

We use data to identify the wellness concept that’s the best fit for you. We can support you through several stages:

▸ Market research, competitor analysis and business plan

▸ Defining the property’s wellness concept

▸ Architect support with space planning

▸ Recommend trusted equipment and suppliers▸ Coordinate the various project stakeholders

▸ Recruitment of the spa manager and their team

▸ Coordinate training with the various professionals and suppliers

▸ Supporting teams in aligning communications with the desired theme

▸ Prepare and organize the opening

Request a quote

Developing your wellness offering: spa expertise from concept to completion

Our goal is to increase your occupancy rate, enhance your appeal and attract new customers with an innovative wellness offering.

▸ Define a customer journey that reflects the establishment’s concept

▸ Design of wellness and fitness programmes

▸ Create brochures and communication materials

▸ Develop signature treatment protocols

Sport and fitness: from interior design to client programming

Beyond beauty treatments, massage and relaxation, we tailor our services to your needs, from space planning to creating services dedicated to sports and wellness.

▸ Develop sports and health programs on a range of topics, available year-round

▸ Design your fitness spaces and select the best equipment

▸ Create a group class schedule

▸ Recruit and train the fitness team

▸ Create the club offering and membership plans

Food & Beverage: a new healthy experience

We’re committed to broadening your offering with a diverse and original food concept tailored to a five-star clientele and aligned with your hotel or thalassotherapy center:

▸ Creating a healthy dining offer and a healthy bar

▸ Develop a naturopathy and nutrition offering

▸ Adapting the Food and Beverage Offering to the Establishment’s Wellness and Fitness Programs

Key steps to opening a profitable spa

Step	Objective	Deliverable
1. Market research	Understanding your customers and competitors	Strategic positioning
2. Developing the wellness concept	Create a distinctive identity	Bespoke spa concept
3. Space design	Optimise customer journeys and the experience	Spa layout and functional planning through to completion
4. Developing the offering	Create treatments, programmes and services	Treatment menu and promotional offers
5. Recruitment and training	Build a high-performing team	Operations team
6. Preparing for opening	Coordinate the final details	A successful launch

Key steps

Before designing a wellness space, several fundamental questions
should guide the project:

which customers do you want to attract?
what kind of experience do you want to offer?
how does the spa fit into the establishment’s overall positioning?
which services truly meet market expectations?
which business model will ensure its long-term success?

A successful spa concept begins with strategic planning before it becomes an architectural project.

The expertise needed to successfully open a spa

Area	Expertise involved
Strategy	Market research, business plan and positioning
Concept	Wellness identity, customer journey, experience
Architecture	Space planning and equipment
Operations	Treatment protocols, suppliers and software
Human Resources	Recruitment and training
Sales	Marketing, launch and customer retention

Spa consulting for entrepreneurs and investors

A guide to regulations, legislation, qualifications and software

Your project is fully formed in your mind, but not yet on paper? Don’t worry! Wellness Consulting makes the administrative side much easier. Whether you’re a finance director or a first-time entrepreneur, we bring all our expertise to the table:

Mandatory safety standards
Display of safety guidelines for saunas, hammams and all other spa facilities. Be prepared to keep everyone safe
Accessibility standards for people with disabilities
An inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone is essential. This means installing access ramps for people with reduced mobility, ensuring doorways are wide enough for wheelchairs, and providing accessible restrooms. Equipment and treatment rooms must also be accessible, with height-adjustable tables and enough room to move around. Spas are often classified as Category 5 public-access buildings (ERP), serving fewer than 300 people. Spa staff must be trained to welcome and serve guests with disabilities, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience.
Qualifications, certificates and training recognised by the State
There is no formal qualification required to open a spa. However, if you offer beauty treatments, your staff must hold one of the following qualifications:
CAP Certificate in Beauty Therapy, body treatments option;
Professional Certificate in Beauty Therapy;
A two-year vocational diploma in beauty therapy or a vocational qualification in beauty therapy.
Hygiene standards
Water hygiene, waste management for body treatments, disinfection, ventilation… all are critical issues governed by the Public Health Code. Some establishments must also follow procedures overseen by the Regional Health Agency, as we explain below.
Official regulations and the formalities to complete before opening your spa
Several declarations are required: first, to your local council, then to the Regional Health Agency. Whether you are planning a thermal spa, a thalassotherapy spa or a conventional day spa, the use of hot water above 30°C must be declared and inspected by the health authorities. The Ministry of Health requires mandatory signage, water sampling and the use of specific products.

The business registration formalities will vary depending on the legal structure of your spa or wellness center. From registering your business and depositing your share capital with a bank or notary, to publishing a legal notice, an accountant or your local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) can help you understand your obligations.
What legal structure should you choose to open a spa?
1. Opening a spa as a sole proprietor

We advise against self-employed status, given the investment required to open a premium spa or beauty salon. You will not be able to deduct your expenses or reclaim the VAT paid to suppliers and equipment providers.

2. Opening a Spa as a Company

To decide which legal structure to choose, you first need to know who you want to rely on to open your wellness center. Whether you’re starting the project on your own as a SASU or EURL, with a partner as a SAS or SARL, or as a couple, the implications for financial liability, debts and protection of your personal assets are not the same. Make sure you’re confident in your choice!
Management and scheduling software
These tools are essential for streamlining spa operations. They help manage appointments efficiently, providing an overview of employee schedules and available treatment rooms. They also make client management easier, with personalized profiles containing information about preferences, treatments received and loyalty programs. What’s more, they often include features for billing, product inventory management and performance tracking. By automating these tasks, this software helps improve operations and deliver a smoother, more personalized client experience. A detailed article is coming soon to the wellness news page!

Whatever questions you have about opening a spa, you’ll find clear answers and professional support to match your expectations. Whether you need help with your business plan, marketing, staffing or architecture, our multidisciplinary team can turn your project into reality. Already launched your wellness center? Now that you’ve ticked off “opening a spa,” find out how to keep it profitable or increase its revenue. Long-term success also depends on effective team management. Our outsourced management service, Wellness Consulting, gives you peace of mind and helps you stay profitable.

Get more information

Frequently asked questions

on the design of wellness programs and themed stays

Is opening a spa profitable?
A spa’s profitability is measured using several indicators: treatment room occupancy, average spend per client, treatment menu renewal rate, and the balance between fixed costs (rent, salaries, technical maintenance) and revenue. A spa attached to a hotel or residential complex often reaches break-even sooner, as its captive audience reduces acquisition costs, while an independent spa in an urban center requires more time to build customer loyalty and a strong local presence. Profitability therefore depends less on the concept itself than on how well it matches the actual clientele and on the rigor of day-to-day operations. This is what Wellness Consulting puts in place from the feasibility study stage, with business plans featuring multi-year projections.
What permits do you need to open a spa?
Opening a spa requires notifying the local town hall and, if the premises offer hydrotherapy facilities (hot tub, hammam, sauna), submitting a technical file to the Regional Health Agency (ARS), including facility plans and a water treatment protocol. The town hall then issues the opening permit once the ARS has approved the file, following checks on water treatment, ventilation and hygiene measures. Allow around two months to obtain all the necessary permits. Requirements and timelines should be confirmed with your local town hall and ARS, as they may vary depending on the project.
What regulations apply to opening a spa?
Spa regulations cover several areas: public-access building standards, including compliance inspections, accessibility for people with reduced mobility and fire safety; Regional Health Agency hygiene requirements for any facility using water (regular checks recorded in a health log, ventilation and water treatment); and obligations specific to each type of service. A CAP Esthétique Cosmétique Parfumerie qualification is required as soon as the spa offers beauty treatments, while no qualification is required for wellness massage and access to facilities alone. Professional liability insurance is also essential.
What budget do you need to open a spa?
The cost of opening a spa varies considerably depending on its size and level of luxury, but typically starts at around €100,000 for a space of approximately 90 m². A fully equipped spa with a hammam, sauna and hot tub will generally require 150 to 300 m² and a significantly larger investment. You’ll also need to budget for administrative and regulatory costs (business registration, professional liability insurance and ERP compliance), typically €3,000 to €7,000, as well as enough working capital to cover 6 to 9 months of fixed costs. Spas generally take longer to reach full capacity than other wellness businesses. A precise estimate always requires a bespoke feasibility study.
What equipment do you need to open a spa?
The equipment needed to open a spa depends on the facilities you plan to offer: treatment rooms with tables, products and beauty equipment, and, where applicable, a hammam, sauna, jacuzzi or pool. Each requires enhanced plumbing, ventilation suited to humid spaces and electrical systems sized for water heating. You will also need reception and changing-room equipment, relaxation furniture and management software for bookings, payments and customer records. Your choice of equipment should be guided by your treatment menu and concept, not the other way around, to avoid unnecessary investment.
How to Create a Business Plan to Open a Spa?
A business plan for opening a spa is built on market research (target customers, local competition and positioning), a detailed breakdown of investment and fixed costs, several revenue forecasts based on expected occupancy, and sufficient working capital to cover the first few months of operation. It’s both a management tool and a way to secure bank financing. Wellness Consulting prepares business plans with multi-year projections tailored to each type of establishment, whether hotel-based, urban or clinical.
How do you open a spa with a hammam?
Opening a hammam spa follows the same steps as opening a conventional spa (legal status, declaration to the local council, compliance with public-access building regulations), with additional technical requirements for steam: a fully waterproofed room, ventilation with steam extraction sized to expected occupancy, lighting and electrical equipment certified for humid environments, and a steam generator that complies with safety standards. Before an opening permit can be obtained, the technical file submitted to the Regional Health Agency must detail these installations. A professional hammam generally requires more space than a massage-only spa to accommodate changing rooms, a relaxation room and technical areas.