One year to go: Are you ready for the French e-Invoicing mandate?

The clock is ticking toward September 2026, and staying on top of the latest updates to France’s mandate is more critical than ever

The countdown is officially on. Exactly one year from now, in September 2026, the French e-invoicing and e-reporting mandate will officially take effect for large and medium-sized companies. This ambitious project aims to modernize tax collection, fight VAT fraud, and streamline business processes across the country. But with a complex regulatory framework, updates and clarifications are a constant. To ensure a smooth transition, it’s essential to be fully prepared for what’s ahead.

This article provides a detailed look at the latest developments from the French government, including a key terminology change and new simplification measures. By understanding these updates, you can ensure your project is on the right track and that you are partnering with a platform that is not just compliant, but also agile enough to adapt to future changes.

👉 Go to our French blog if you want to read this article in French.

A quick word on terminology: Moving from PDP to PA (Plateforme Agréée)

If you’ve been following the French mandate, you’ve likely come across the term PDP (Plateforme de Dématérialisation Partenaire). This was the name given to the official government-certified e-invoicing platforms. However, in recent communications, the French tax administration has increasingly used a new, more descriptive term: PA (Plateforme Agréée), which translates to “Approved Platform.”

This shift in vocabulary clarifies the role of these platforms in a more direct way. The new term, “Plateforme Agréée,” emphasizes that these platforms are not just “partners” in the e-invoicing ecosystem, but officially approved and vetted by the government. They must meet a set of strict technical, security, and functional standards to handle e-invoicing and e-reporting on your behalf. For your business, this is a clear signal that you must use a platform that has gone through this rigorous approval process to ensure compliance.

While the core functions of these platforms remain the same, the change to PA brings greater consistency and reliability to the entire e-invoicing system. It’s a subtle but important detail that reflects the government’s commitment to a secure and regulated framework. Any provider you choose should be fully aware of this distinction and actively working toward their official “PA” certification.

✨ Tradeshift is a registered PA (PA immatriculée) since August 19th, 2024. Our registration number is #0036.

France’s new simplifications for 2026: E-Invoicing & e-Reporting just got a little simpler

After several rounds of consultations with businesses and industry experts, the French Ministry for Public Accounts has announced ten key simplification and tolerance measures for the 2026-27 mandate. These updates are all about making the transition smoother and less burdensome for businesses. They fall into two main categories: simplifications (to reduce unnecessary obligations) and easements (to allow for a more flexible transition).

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most impactful changes:

• Less e-Reporting for international transactions: One of the most welcome changes is that you won’t have to e-report for certain non-EU transactions between French businesses. This is a huge relief for companies with complex global operations, as it significantly reduces their reporting obligations.
• No more invoice line data for international acquisitions: The government has also removed the requirement to report detailed invoice line data for international acquisitions. This streamlines the reporting process, cutting down on the amount of data you need to transmit and manage.
• B2C e-Reporting is simplified: For B2C transactions, you’ll no longer need to report the number of individual transactions, which makes data submission more straightforward.
• “Nil submissions” are now an option: This is a big win for flexibility. If you have nothing to e-report for a specific period, you can now submit a “nil” or zero report, rather than having to create a full submission with no data. This is a small change with a big impact on a project’s logic and design.
• Easier VAT calculation: The updates also introduce a simplified method for calculating VAT on profit margin for B2C e-reporting, such as using an average margin rate. This is a practical, common-sense change that eases the burden for businesses with high-volume retail transactions.
• A grace period for non-established taxable persons: If you are a non-established taxable person operating in France and engaging in international acquisitions, the obligation to issue e-invoices has been pushed back to 2027. This provides an extra year to prepare your systems and processes.

These changes are great news and show that the French government is listening to feedback from the business community. 

However, they also serve as a reminder that this is a dynamic landscape. A static, rigid e-invoicing solution simply won’t cut it. You need a platform that is agile and constantly adapting to reflect the latest specifications and legal changes.

Transform your business, don’t just get compliant

As the French e-invoicing mandate moves closer, the platform you choose is more critical than ever. Businesses need a solution that’s not only compliant but also robust, flexible, and ready to evolve.

At Tradeshift, we see compliance as just the starting point. Our platform is designed to be a tool for true business transformation. Our deep expertise in global e-invoicing trends and our ongoing communication with regulatory bodies around the world mean our platform is always up-to-date with the latest specifications. 

We’re already a trusted partner for some of the world’s largest companies. For example, our client Air France is already in production, having successfully tested its connectivity with the government’s central directory (Annuaire) through the Tradeshift platform. 

This proves the reliability and readiness of our solution, not just on paper, but in a real-world, high-volume environment.

Don’t settle for a platform that only gets you over the compliance finish line. Choose a platform, like Tradeshift, that can truly transform your finance operations. We can help you automate processes, reduce manual work, and bring greater efficiency to your business.

Ready to secure your compliance and future-proof your finance operations? Contact Tradeshift today to learn how our platform can help you navigate the complexities of the French mandate and beyond.