France reveals a significantly scaled-back scope for its B2B central platform

France /

October 15, 2024, 10:17 PM /

1 minute

The PPF will only manage the central directory and receive invoice tax data, while the PDPs will process invoices for all companies countrywide.

The French tax authority (DGFiP) has been developing its central platform since 2021, in preparation for an e-invoicing mandate initially scheduled for 2024.

However, this deadline has since been pushed to the following dates:

September 1, 2026: medium and large companies must send e-invoices, and all companies must be able to receive them.
September 1, 2027: all companies must both send and receive e-invoices.

The announcement of a reduced scope for the PPF marks yet another concession by the French government, amidst a challenging political climate and a severe economic crisis.

The new, limited role of the PPF

The upcoming e-invoicing mandate was initially designed to rely on a public central platform, the PPF (Portail Public de Facturation), alongside certified private service provider platforms, the PDPs (Partner Dematerialization Platforms). Together, they were set to handle the processing and delivery of invoices for all companies across the country.

However, in the announcement made by the DGFiP on October 15, the PPF’s role has been significantly reduced. Instead of managing invoicing, the PPF will now focus solely on operating the central directory of companies, which the sending party will use to identify the receiving party’s PDP and other addressing information. Additionally, the PPF will collect tax data extracted from the invoices by the PDPs, effectively functioning as the regulatory “5th corner”.

Selecting a PDP becomes mandatory

Previously, companies could choose between using a PDP or the PPF for invoice processing and delivery. Now, with the PPF’s reduced scope, companies are required to select a PDP, which will likely involve paid services, whereas the PPF was expected to be a free option.

There is also a third group of actors, the ODs (Dematerialization Operators), that does not aim to operate their own certified platforms but instead to connect to a PDP or the PPF. With the PPF no longer available as a free alternative, this change may disrupt or jeopardize their business strategies.

While medium and large companies, which were likely to rely on a PDP regardless, may not be significantly affected, the new requirements could severely impact small businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs. These very small companies, together representing over 6 million French VAT subjects, may lose the option to manage invoicing manually and for free unless a PDP or OD steps in to offer a cost-effective solution.

For more details on the French e-invoicing mandate, check out our France country profile.

Country Profile

France

Country regulation overview, resources, technical details, timeline, and more

Get your Project Implemented

Gold Sponsor

IOPOLE’s API-first Iopole e-Invoicing Hub enables software vendors to deliver compliant e-invoicing and e-reporting across France and internationally, trusted by 150+ integrations and processing 150M+ documents yearly.

Through the Iopole e-Invoicing Hub, applications connect via API to Peppol-certified networks and French tax authorities, ensuring seamless regulatory compliance across domestic and international flows.
Since 2022, IOPOLE has become the trusted partner for 150+ software integrations, processing 150+ million B2B2B documents annually on a SecNumCloud sovereign infrastructure with 99.9% SLA.

As a pure-player in e-invoicing, IOPOLE focuses exclusively on infrastructure, compliance updates, and scalable technical support, allowing software vendors to expand their services quickly without competing with their core solutions. Optional 10-year legal archiving ensures secure, long-term compliance and audit readiness.

Yooz is the smartest, most powerful, and easiest-to-use cloud solution for automating the e-invoicing and Purchase-to-Pay processes.

ICD International is a French independent software vendor specializing in e-invoicing, EDI, and document digitalization, providing compliant, automated solutions to optimize Purchase-to-Pay and Order-to-Cash processes.

Comarch provides a certified, cloud-based e-invoicing platform designed for global enterprise operations. Trusted in over 60 countries, their scalable solution automates invoice exchange, ensures seamless ERP integration, and guarantees continuous legal compliance.

Basware is how the best finance teams gain complete control of every invoice, every time. Our Intelligent Invoice Lifecycle Management Platform ensures efficiency, compliance and control for all invoice transactions.

IDC designs and develops innovative solutions and outsourced services to optimize information management. The goal is to be protagonists of the digital transformation of companies' internal processes.

Septeo is a leading European software group, providing AI-driven e-invoicing and financial management solutions to help businesses go beyond compliance and optimize financial performance.

ecosio provides futureproof e-invoicing compliance services via a single connection to the cloud. Once connected, businesses can achieve full compliance with e-invoicing mandates all over the world with ease.

Docoon is a highly secure solution provider offering electronic signature, electronic invoicing, and a white-label Approved Platform (PA). Additionally, it provides archiving services and a multichannel platform to enhance business processes.

EsaLink offers Hubtimize e-Invoicing, a certified, ERP-agnostic platform that ensures compliance and automation for companies seeking a comprehensive electronic invoicing solution in preparation for the 2026 reform.

Arratech delivers Access Points & SMP as-a-Service, giving businesses and service providers a modern, compliant platform to connect seamlessly to the Peppol Network and scale e-invoicing with ease.

Tenor specializes in publishing Electronic Invoicing and our primary focus is on streamlining exchanges between companies through solutions that interconnect information systems.

SEEBURGER provides compliant, automated e-invoicing across France, Spain and 33 other countries, with native SAP and broad ERP support, benefiting IT and Finance and built on 40 years of experience.

Artéva, publisher of the Orchestrade® SaaS platform, digitizes your invoice management processes and automates your B2B exchanges with all of your business partners.

Docoon.immo (ex Neovacom), a French PDP, offers Freedz, a collaborative solution automating electronic invoice processing in real estate and construction, ensuring legal compliance and improving customer-supplier relations.

ClearTax is an AI-native technology company helping enterprises automate compliance, invoicing, and finance operations across 50+ countries with intelligent, scalable, enterprise-grade solutions.

ITESOFT, the French leader in digitisation and automation software, processes more than a billion documents every year. Its solutions, based on artificial intelligence, optimise processes for more than 650 customers.

EDT (Weexa Group) offers electronic invoicing and B2B flow automation solutions (iPaaS, API, web portals, PDP) in France and internationally.

Symtrax delivers solutions that streamline AP and AR processing, ensure compliance, and integrate seamlessly with the ERP systems of mid-sized and large companies.

TX2 CONCEPT helps businesses comply with e-invoicing regulations, in France and internationally, with secure and automated solutions. As an Approved Platform and Peppol Access Point, we ensure seamless compliance.

Esker is a global cloud platform built to unlock strategic value for Finance, Procurement and Customer Service professionals, and strengthen collaboration between companies by automating the cash conversion cycle.