France e-invoicing for freelancers: what auto-entrepreneurs need to know
Even micro-entrepreneurs and franchise-en-base freelancers are pulled into France's e-invoicing reform. Here's what actually applies to you, and the smallest setup that keeps you compliant.
France e-invoicing for freelancers: what auto-entrepreneurs need to know
If you're a French freelancer — auto-entrepreneur, micro-entreprise, or under the franchise en base de TVA — it's tempting to assume the e-invoicing reform is a "big company" problem. It isn't. Here's what actually applies to you and the lightest way to stay compliant.
You're in scope — even without charging VAT
The reform is about structured invoices and reporting, not whether you charge VAT. Two obligations reach freelancers:
- Receiving structured e-invoices — required for essentially all businesses,
early in the calendar. Your suppliers will send them; you must be able to accept.
- Issuing structured B2B invoices + e-reporting — applies to smaller
businesses later in the phased timeline, but it is coming.
Confirm your exact phase with your accountant, but plan to be ready.
Franchise en base still applies — just say so, structurally
If you don't charge VAT, you still issue a compliant invoice — it just carries the exemption mention (« TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI ») as a structured field, not free text. The format handles it; you toggle it.
What you specifically need
□ Registered on an accredited platform under your SIREN (scheme 0225)
□ The mandate signed (not instant — start early)
□ Structured invoices (Factur-X / CIUS) with the mandatory French statements
□ EUR
□ Ability to RECEIVE supplier invoices
□ B2C e-reporting if you sell to individualsThe mandatory statements (recovery costs, late-payment penalties, early-payment discount) and the billing mode (usually services for freelancers) are part of every French invoice — see French e-invoicing requirements.
If you sell to consumers
Coaching, digital products, services to individuals? Those are B2C — not e-invoiced, but their daily totals are e-reported. See France e-reporting explained.
Keep it light
You don't need enterprise software. You need a tool that registers you, signs the mandate, issues Factur-X/CIUS with the right mentions, receives supplier invoices, and files B2C reports — without a per-document bill that eats a freelancer's margin.
Where Eurobillr fits
Eurobillr is built for exactly this: register under SIREN scheme 0225, guided mandate, one-click franchise en base exemption, Factur-X/CIUS with the mandatory statements, an inbox for received invoices, and B2C e-reporting — all on a plan sized for a solo. Cross-border clients are handled with plain Peppol automatically.
See France e-invoicing for SMEs if you're growing a team, or choosing e-invoicing software in France.
