France Confirms No e-Invoicing Penalties in 2026 Following Launch of New Requirements

The French Ministry of Public Action and Accounts has issued a release on the recent launch of mandatory electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) requirements, effective 1 September 2026, including:

• All companies are required to receive e-invoices; and
• Large and intermediate (medium) companies are required to issue e-invoices and transmit transaction and payment data to the administration.

One of the more notable points of the release is confirmation that the government is treating the launch as a starting point and prioritizing support. As such, no financial penalties will be applied to businesses in relation to the new requirement during 2026 while they adapt to the new system. Further, the release outlines the reform's broader goals to combat VAT fraud and generate over EUR 4 billion in annual savings for businesses, while mandating strict, continuous cybersecurity compliance for all approved invoicing platforms.