Electronic invoicing for public-sector suppliers – Next step on the 1^st of January 2017

In the frame of procurement contracts, the electronic invoicing will gradually become compulsory by the 1^st of January 2020. The obligation for the French State to accept electronic invoices is extended to local authorities and all public institutions as of the 1^st of January 2017.

The deadline to implement this new obligation is as follows:

• The 1^st of January 2017 for large groups (more than 5,000 employees) and all contracting authorities,
• The 1^st of January 2018 for intermediate size companies (250 to 5,000 employees),
• The 1^st of January 2019 for small and medium size companies (10 to 250 employees),
• The 1^st of January 2020 for very small companies (less than 10 employees).

A shared and free technical solution to businesses, local authorities and public institutions, called Chorus Pro, was officially launched on the 20^th of September 2016. It allows the filing, reception, transmission and the follow-up of electronic invoices. Companies of more than 5000 employees shall therefore address, as of the 1^st of January 2017, their invoices to their public clients via the electronic portal Chorus Pro.