Electronic invoicing: Building and Public Works denounce the unacceptable U-turn of public authorities

The FFB denounces the additional financial costs and the failure to take into account the specificities of the construction industry

The obligation for electronic invoicing between French companies subject to VAT will come into effect from 2026. Until now, Bercy reassured business leaders by offering them a free solution via the Chorus Pro platform.

The FFB denounces:

• the administration's denial of its word on the prerequisite for the free Chorus Pro platform;
• additional financial costs for craftsmen and entrepreneurs in the sector;
• administrative complexity due to separate formalities depending on the status of the client (public, professional or individual);
• failure to take into account the specificities of construction: work situations, subcontracting and groups;
• an unchanged entry into force while difficulties remain.

For Olivier Salleron, president of the FFB: "Contrary to all the promises of simplification and consultation, the FFB denounces a denial of the administration's word and the creation of a new burden on the backs of businesses. We call on the public authorities to return to their initial commitment, that of free electronic invoicing."

Unacceptable U-turn by public authorities on invoicing for FNTP

The Ministry of Budget and Public Accounts has just announced, without prior consultation with professional organizations, not only that it was maintaining the schedule for the deployment of electronic invoicing in September 2026 but above all that it was reducing the role assigned to the public (free) platform to a simple directory, which implies that companies will have to go through paid platforms.

This decision goes completely against the commitment made by the public authorities in recent years.

In a budgetary context where companies are already heavily burdened, this decision will have the direct consequence of creating an additional burden, by forcing companies to subscribe to private platforms.

The General Directorate of Public Finances also refuses to take into account the specificities of the public works sector in payment circuits, in particular situations involving works, subcontracting and groups.

For Alain GRIZAUD, president of the FNTP: "The Government must return to its initial commitment, that of free electronic invoicing, and take into account the specificities of our sector in the implementation of the reform. We must also give companies a year to adapt and train their employees in their new obligations."

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.