Mandatory electronic invoicing in France: What you need to know

With two years to go before mandatory electronic invoicing in France, uncertainties remain regarding the implementation of invoice digitalisation. Already in use by companies with over 5,000 employees, electronic invoicing will apply to private sector businesses starting from 1 September 2026.

Small businesses (TPE), SMEs, mid-sized companies (ETIs), large corporations, and self-employed workers subject to VAT must prepare for electronic invoicing. The implementation period, scheduled between September 2026 and September 2027, was set by Law No. 2023-1322 of 29 December 2023 in the Finance Act for 2024.

Definitions, obligations, timeline, formats, partner platforms selected by the DGFiP, challenges, risks, and benefits of electronic invoicing… This article provides an overview of the regulations, with implementation dates to be announced later.

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Everything about mandatory electronic invoicing in France

Issuing, sending, receiving, and archiving – electronic invoices use standardised formats (UBL format, CII format, or Factur-X format). In line with Article 153 of the 2020 Finance Act, these formats facilitate data transmission to the tax authorities (e-reporting). E-invoicing involves the complete digitalisation of the B2B invoicing process in France. It aims to replace traditional paper invoices with a digital version. E-invoicing also simplifies commercial exchanges and reduces the costs associated with invoice management.

Here, we explain everything you need to know about electronic invoicing.

Mandatory electronic invoice formats selected by the DGFiP

Electronic invoicing requires invoices to be issued in a specific format to ensure system interoperability and data exchange with the DGFiP. Digitalised electronic invoicing goes beyond simply downloading an invoice in PDF format and sending it by email. Instead, it must be recorded in a structured file format such as UBL, CII, or Factur-X.

UBL format (Universal Business Language)

Compliant with EU public procurement invoicing standards, the UBL format is the most widely used internationally. In France, it applies to B2G invoices and will become the standard for B2B invoicing starting from 2024.

CII format (Cross-Industry Invoice)

Compatible with the European electronic invoicing standard EN16931 and recognised by the French tax authorities, the CII format (Cross-Industry Invoice) allows the exchange of structured information between company IT systems.

Factur-X format

Developed in 2014 by France and Germany, the Factur-X format is mainly used in France between businesses and public administration. This electronic invoice format ensures the authenticity and integrity of PDF documents through electronic signatures and a digital certificate

E-reporting for mandatory dematerialised invoicing in France

This is a process based on the Y model, where companies will be able to work with a PDP platform (we will discuss this later) to handle information related to their invoices for their clients and perform electronic reporting.

What is e-reporting?

E-reporting aims to automate the transmission of financial data to both French and foreign tax authorities. This transmission of information aligns with the objectives of the reform, which seeks to collect data on domestic transactions. It includes e-invoicing, e-reporting, and non-domestic transactions such as international B2B and B2C.

Who is affected by e-reporting?

E-reporting applies to companies subject to French VAT. They are required to submit transaction data to the tax authorities.

Electronic invoicing platforms according to the DGFiP: How does it work?

Approved by the DGFiP and thus compliant with the regulations and standards in force in France, platforms such as the Partner Dematerialisation Platform (PDP), the Public Invoicing Platform (PPF), and the Dematerialisation Operator (OD) facilitate the implementation of electronic invoicing between businesses and public authorities.

Partner Dematerialisation Platform (PDP)

Platforms like B2Brouter, registered as PDPs, will be the only platforms authorised to send invoicing data to the PPF. Acting as intermediaries between issuing businesses and public authorities, these platforms allow companies to send their electronic invoices to the PDP, which will then forward the data to the tax authorities.

Public Invoicing Portal (PPF)

The Public Invoicing Portal (PPF), also known as Chorus Pro, is free and allows small businesses, such as freelancers and very small enterprises (VSEs), to comply with regulations by connecting to the PPF to retrieve their electronic invoices. Companies using the services of an intermediary PDP platform like B2Brouter will not need to make this connection, as the PDP will send the invoices directly to the client. Regardless of the chosen solution, invoicing data passes through the PPF to be transmitted to the tax authorities.

Dematerialisation Operator (OD)

The Dematerialisation Operator (OD) offers a comprehensive invoicing service that includes receiving paper invoices, digitising them, and converting them into an electronic format compliant with DGFiP standards. The OD then ensures the delivery of the electronic invoices to the relevant public authorities.

Who is affected by electronic invoicing?

Mandatory electronic invoicing in France applies to all types of businesses, regardless of their status. Large companies, mid-sized businesses (ETIs), SMEs, VSEs, and freelancers will all be required to issue and receive invoices that comply with electronic invoicing standards.

Obligation to send and receive electronic invoices in the private sector

Companies subject to VAT are particularly affected by the new regulations and will need to comply with electronic invoicing requirements to simplify their administrative processes and facilitate interactions with the tax authorities.

Obligation to send electronic invoices to public entities

Suppliers to the French public administration are already required to send electronic invoices to all their public sector clients.

Electronic invoicing timeline 2024-2026-2027

The implementation timeline for electronic invoicing spans several years. Initially scheduled for 2024, it has been postponed. Here are the new dates:

  • September 2026: Businesses must be ready to receive electronic invoices. Large companies will need to start issuing electronic invoices.
  • September 2027: Small businesses will be required to send electronic invoices.

The challenges of B2B electronic invoicing for businesses

Delaying the implementation of electronic invoicing can lead to operational difficulties for businesses, such as:

  • Delays resulting in financial penalties for non-compliance.
  • Errors in the implementation of processes and IT systems.
  • Increased workload for teams managing the transition.
  • Loss of efficiency compared to competitors who have already adopted electronic invoicing.
  • Loss of competitiveness and strained business relationships due to payment delays and communication issues with companies and public authorities requiring electronic invoicing.

Planning and implementing the transition to electronic invoicing today will help minimise the risks associated with a late adoption.

Risks

With automated validation mechanisms, secure storage, and data backup, electronic invoicing minimises the risks of data entry errors and data loss.

However, to prevent any leaks or misuse of information transmitted electronically, data preservation security is essential. Businesses should therefore choose an expert electronic invoicing platform certified as a PDP, such as B2Brouter. ISO 27001 certified, our platform guarantees a high level of security through protocols and secure data management.

Benefits of electronic invoicing

Electronic invoicing offers numerous benefits:

  • Shorter processing times.
  • Faster payments.
  • Reduced errors from manual data entry.
  • Lower administrative management costs.
  • Simplified VAT declarations.
  • More accurate tracking of business activity.
  • Enhanced business competitiveness due to reduced administrative burden.

Additionally, electronic invoicing helps prevent the loss and falsification of invoices and contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the use of paper invoices.

B2Brouter and electronic invoicing in France

The B2Brouter solution connected to Chorus Pro for compliant B2G electronic invoices

Since 2017, our free electronic invoicing platform has been connected to Chorus Pro, the French government’s electronic invoicing platform. This allows you to issue B2G (Business-to-Government) electronic invoices that comply with legal requirements.

As a dematerialisation partner, we assist you in your transition to electronic invoicing with a user-friendly interface and advanced features (directory, service code management, and status tracking of your invoices).

B2Brouter is already PDP compliant

With over 10 years of experience as an international electronic invoicing platform (in Italy, Singapore, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Japan), B2Brouter is now positioning itself as a future PDP in France.

Our experience shows that, while invoice transmission and legal requirements are specific to each country, they are nonetheless similar to our system.

We offer a comprehensive dematerialisation solution, ensuring that our clients will be fully operational as soon as the reform is implemented.

Easily switch to electronic invoicing with B2Brouter