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Invoicing in France: what your invoice needs
A French facture has to carry a long list of legal mentions. Beyond the usual name, date and amounts, it must show your SIREN, the payment deadline, the late-payment penalty rate and a fixed recovery fee of €40. Companies also state their legal form and share capital.
The bigger change is the e-invoicing reform. It started on 1 September 2026, and domestic B2B invoices are moving to structured formats exchanged through approved platforms.
Key facts for France
- Tax
- Taxe sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA)
- Rates
- 20% standard, 10%, 5.5% and 2.1% reduced
- Small businesses
- Micro-entrepreneurs under the franchise en base charge no TVA and write "TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI"
- Payment terms
- Agreed by contract; the default is 30 days, and the maximum is 60 days from the invoice date or 45 days end of month
- Late penalties
- Must be stated; at least three times the legal interest rate, plus a €40 fixed recovery fee
- Records
- Keep invoices for 10 years
- Currency
- EUR (€)
What a France invoice should include
- Your name, address, SIREN and TVA number (numéro de TVA intracommunautaire)
- For companies: legal form, share capital and the city of the RCS registration
- The customer's name and address (and their SIREN for domestic business customers)
- The invoice date and a unique, sequential invoice number
- A description of the goods or services, quantity and unit price excluding tax
- Any discounts, the TVA rate and amount, and totals excluding and including tax (HT and TTC)
- The payment due date and the terms for early payment (or "escompte : néant")
- The late-payment penalty rate and the €40 fixed recovery fee (indemnité forfaitaire)
- If different from the billing address, the delivery address; whether the invoice is for goods, services or both; and the option to pay VAT on debits, if you use it
Practical tips
State the early-payment discount, even if there is none
Invoices must say what discount you give for early payment. If you give none, write "Escompte pour paiement anticipé : néant". A missing line is one of the most common reasons an invoice is judged incomplete.
The reform adds new mentions
From the e-invoicing reform on, an invoice also needs the customer's SIREN, the delivery address if it differs, whether the operation is for goods or services, and a note if you have opted to pay VAT on debits. Add these now so your invoices do not need to change later.
Pick a platform before your deadline
Businesses that must issue e-invoices choose an approved platform (plateforme agréée). Choose one early, because your accountant or accounting software may already offer one.
Common questions about invoicing in France
What is the €40 recovery fee?
For B2B invoices, a supplier is entitled to a fixed €40 fee for recovery costs when a payment is late. It must be mentioned on the invoice. The law also requires you to state the rate of late-payment penalties.
Do I charge TVA as a micro-entrepreneur?
Not if you are under the franchise en base threshold. You then write "TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI" on every invoice. Above the threshold you must register and charge TVA.
Is a PDF invoice still valid?
Yes, for now, for consumers, foreign customers and until your e-invoicing deadline. From 1 September 2026 the largest companies issue structured e-invoices, and small businesses follow on 1 September 2027.
Can I write the invoice in English?
Yes, but many French clients expect French. Legal mentions such as the €40 fee are easier for the customer's accountant to check in French.
Related guides and tools
- France e-invoicing mandate from September 2026
- How to charge late payment fees
- Invoice due date calculator
Official sources: impots.gouv.fr, economie.gouv.fr: facturation électronique.
Last updated September 2026. This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Tax rules change, so check the official source or ask a local accountant before relying on it for an important invoice.
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