How to invoice in France
France enforces detailed invoicing rules under the Code de commerce and the Code général des impôts. From September 2026, B2B e-invoicing becomes mandatory. Here is everything you need to stay compliant.
Why French invoicing rules matter
France has some of the most specific invoicing requirements in the EU. Every invoice must follow a strict format defined by law, and penalties for non-compliance start at €15 per missing or incorrect mention. For B2B transactions, the government is rolling out mandatory e-invoicing through the Portail Public de Facturation (PPF) and certified Partner Dematerialisation Platforms (PDP). If you invoice French businesses, you need to understand the rules now, not when the deadline hits.
Key tax and invoicing facts
Required invoice fields in France
- Full name (or company name), address, and legal form of the seller
- Seller's SIREN or SIRET number
- Seller's VAT identification number (numéro de TVA intracommunautaire)
- Full name and address of the buyer
- Buyer's SIREN/SIRET (for B2B invoices)
- A unique, sequential invoice number (numérotation chronologique)
- Invoice issue date
- Delivery or service date
- Detailed description of each product or service
- Quantity, unit price (HT), and total per line item
- Applicable TVA rate per line item (20%, 10%, 5.5%, or 2.1%)
- Total HT (excl. tax), total TVA, and total TTC (incl. tax)
- Payment due date and late-payment penalty terms
- Fixed late-payment recovery fee (€40 minimum for B2B)
- Discount terms if applicable
Invoicing guides for neighboring countries
Questions
Do I need to register for TVA in France?
If your annual revenue exceeds the franchise en base threshold (€36,800 for services, €91,900 for goods), you must register and charge TVA. Foreign businesses selling to French consumers may need a French TVA number depending on the transaction type and where the goods are shipped from.
What is Factur-X and when does it become mandatory?
Factur-X is a hybrid e-invoice format combining a human-readable PDF with structured XML data. It follows the EN 16931 European standard. Starting September 2026, large and medium businesses must issue B2B e-invoices through certified platforms. Smaller businesses follow in September 2027.
Can I invoice in English to a French company?
Technically, French B2B invoices should be in French. In practice, bilingual invoices are widely accepted. If the tax authority requests it during an audit, they can require a certified French translation. Using standard terms in both languages avoids issues.
What are the penalties for incorrect invoices in France?
Each missing or incorrect mandatory mention carries a fine of €15, capped at 25% of the invoice total. Repeated non-compliance with e-invoicing obligations can result in fines of €15,000 per year. Failure to issue an invoice altogether is fined at 50% of the transaction amount.
How long must I keep invoices in France?
10 years for tax purposes under the Livre des procédures fiscales. Commercial law requires 10 years from the end of the fiscal year. Digital storage is accepted if the format guarantees integrity and readability for the entire retention period.
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