France's e-invoicing mandate: what SMBs need to know before September 2026
France requires all large and mid-size companies to send and receive B2B invoices through a registered Plateforme Agréée from September 2026, expanding to all businesses by September 2027. SMBs must route invoices through a PA connected to the French tax authority.
France’s B2B e-invoicing mandate takes effect in September 2026 for large and mid-size companies, then expands to all businesses in September 2027. Invoices must be routed through a permanently registered Plateforme Agréée (PA) connected to the French tax authority, not sent as PDFs or email attachments.
How the French e-invoicing model works
From September 2026, large and mid-size companies operating in France must send and receive B2B invoices through a permanently registered Plateforme Agréée (PA). The mandate expands to all businesses, regardless of size, in September 2027.
Under the French clearance model, the invoice flow changes fundamentally. Your ERP generates an invoice. It is sent to a permanently registered PA. The PA validates, enriches, and routes it. The invoice is submitted to the PPF and delivered to the buyer via their own PA. Transaction data is reported to the French tax authority (DGFiP).
This applies even if your customer is another French company you already trade with. The technical and regulatory complexity sits between your ERP and the government.
Choosing between Babelway and Tradeshift
Babelway and Tradeshift both hold permanently registered PA status in France. They offer two distinct packages for different business needs.
Babelway is built for SMBs with straightforward e-invoicing workflows. It connects your ERP to other PAs, transforms any ERP format into mandated formats, and handles secure routing and tracking. Babelway works best if you have one or two ERPs, do not need supplier onboarding, and want a focused, integration-centric solution.
Babelway does not aim to be a full Accounts Payable or supplier collaboration platform. It does not manage large-scale invoice processing, supplier portals, AI-based invoice coding, or AP reporting and analytics.
Tradeshift is a global e-invoicing and AP automation platform covering 70 countries. It supports outbound and inbound flows, Peppol connectivity, supplier collaboration, and AI-driven invoice processing. Choose Tradeshift if you have enterprise-level invoice volume with complex flows, operate in 20 or more countries, or need one platform for both e-invoicing compliance and AI-powered AP automation.
Timeline and next steps
For SMBs, the September 2027 deadline may feel distant. However, integration, testing, and customer connectivity take time. Starting early is wise.
If you are already a Babelway customer, you can continue to use Babelway as your PA in France. Contact your Babelway representative to walk through the process. New customers can try Babelway free for 30 days before committing.