E-invoicing: the end of the PDF invoice
PDF invoices sent by email are a thing of the past. Get your business ready for the French reform with Odoo: structured invoice files, Peppol integration and full legal compliance.
Factur-X & UBL
Odoo directly generates the structured formats required by the French tax authority.
What you need to understand about the e-invoicing mandate
What actually changes for your B2B invoicing after the government's latest announcements.
What is changing?
A scanned document or a regular PDF sent by email will no longer be compliant. Invoices must use a structured electronic format (XML/Factur-X) and go through an approved platform (PA, France's certified e-invoicing platform, formerly called PDP). The government has dropped the idea of using the public portal (PPF) as a direct exchange tool between businesses.
Does this apply to you?
Yes. All VAT-registered businesses in France are affected. This includes businesses under the VAT franchise scheme (micro-enterprises): even if you don't charge VAT, you will need to be able to receive and then issue invoices electronically through compliant software.
The official timeline
- September 1, 2026: Mandatory RECEIPT for 100% of businesses. Mandatory ISSUING for mid-sized and large companies.
- September 1, 2027: Mandatory ISSUING extended to all SMEs, small businesses and micro-enterprises.
What Odoo already does
Odoo includes a powerful EDI layer. No need to pile up third-party software or pay intermediaries: the standard features handle your invoice flows.
- Automatic generation of the structured XML file from a validated invoice.
- A specific format (Factur-X, UBL, CII) set per customer.
- Built-in Peppol network: batch sending, real-time status tracking and automated retrieval of vendor bills.
Public Sector and Chorus Pro
Odoo handles Chorus Pro (the French government's e-invoicing portal) through the French localization. To invoice the public sector, we install the official module, validate your registration on the Peppol network (free in Odoo) and configure the required customer fields. Your invoices go straight from your ERP to the government, with no friction.
🔗 Go further: Sending invoices through Peppol or Chorus Pro means keeping tight control over your company's outgoing data flows. To see how we make these exchanges reliable without weighing down your system, read about our approach to Odoo Connectors and APIs.
Is Odoo an approved platform? Yes, since April 2026
The reform has changed a lot: going through an approved platform (the new name for PDPs) is now the only route for exchanges between businesses. Odoo has been registered as an approved platform since April 2026. With Odoo, you have a compliant tool, with no added intermediary.
What we learned bringing about ten companies into compliance
Odoo knows how to receive and issue e-invoices. What gets in the way almost every time is the existing invoicing: poorly configured products, inconsistent VAT rates, accounting that hasn't kept up with the company's growth.
That's why every compliance project starts with a review with your accountant. The goal: make sure the configuration matches reality, and that no VAT return goes out wrong.
How long does it take?
Usually 2 to 3 days of work, then depending on your needs.
Using Sage, EBP or Ciel?
The reform is the right time to switch tools: if you are going to rework everything for compliance anyway, you might as well do it on software that will see you through what comes next.
Estimate the cost of your IT project
See everything included in an Odoo implementation and the real costs to plan for your project.
Estimate the cost of your IT project
See everything included in an Odoo implementation and the real costs to plan for your project.
Not compliant: what are the risks?
The law (Article 1737 of the French General Tax Code, CGI) sets a strict scale of penalties.
Per missing mandatory mention
On an issued invoice. Capped at one quarter of the invoice total.
Per non-compliant invoice
When issued without a structured electronic format. Capped at €15,000 per year.
For refusing to receive
Then an additional €1,000 per quarter after formal notice, if the company refuses to get equipped.
Note: Not invoicing at all or issuing false invoices falls under much heavier criminal and tax penalties (up to 50% of the transaction amount or €375,000 per fiscal year).
Do you have to throw out your entire existing system?
Not necessarily.
The tax authority says it clearly: if your company already uses solid business software, the real issue is data flow compatibility with an approved platform.
"With Odoo and the expertise of Hors du Commun, you can prepare your business for e-invoicing with peace of mind: structured invoice generation, Peppol and Chorus Pro integration, and accounting management.
Depending on your architecture, Odoo will work as a built-in approved platform, or connect to the approved platform of your choice. We secure the data at every step."
🔗 Go further: Odoo doesn't stop at generating a legal file. Once the invoice is in the system, your entire reconciliation and financial statements can be automated. See how to optimize your accounting with Odoo.
Get ahead of the reform with Odoo
Don't get caught off guard by legal requirements. Request your strategic assessment, 100% free and tailored to your business.
By phone or video call, at your convenience.
Odoo is an approved platform. Try it.
Hors du Commun, Odoo integrator in Lyon, is an official Odoo partner. Subscribing through us costs no more, and gives you time to validate compliance over a real invoicing cycle.
60-day trial instead of 15
We extend your test database ourselves, so you can put the tool through a real monthly cycle, closing included, rather than skimming through a demo.
3 to 10% off the license
On average, depending on your commitment. We know what to negotiate, and with whom at Odoo.
A free seat for your accountant
We work with accounting firms that are Odoo partners, or negotiate access for your current firm.
Hors du Commun partner link.