What's the current PDP/PPF timeline?+
France's e-invoicing mandate runs in two waves: from 1 September 2026 all businesses must be able to receive structured e-invoices; from 1 September 2027 large and mid-sized businesses must issue, with SMEs joining by September 2027. The original 2024 deadline was deferred — the September 2026/2027 dates are current per DGFiP.
PDP, PPF, OD — what's the difference and which do I need?+
PPF (Portail Public de Facturation) is the public platform, free, used by SMEs without a PDP. PDP (Plateforme de Dématérialisation Partenaire) is a state-accredited private platform, paid, with more features (additional services, lifecycle tracking, integration depth). OD (Opérateur de Dématérialisation) is a non-accredited intermediary that funnels into PPF or PDP. Most mid-large businesses will pick a PDP.
Factur-X, UBL, or CII — which format do we issue?+
France accepts three syntaxes: Factur-X (the hybrid PDF/A-3 + embedded CII XML — most common B2B), UBL 2.1, and UN/CEFACT CII XML. PDPs are required to handle all three. The choice depends on your trading partners and what your ERP can natively output.
Is Factur-X a French thing or European?+
Both. Factur-X 1.07 is the French/German joint specification (equivalent to ZUGFeRD in Germany), aligned with EN 16931. It works for France's PDP/PPF flow and Germany's B2B mandate. One format, two countries — useful for businesses operating in both.
Do all my flows have to go through the PDP/PPF?+
Yes for in-scope domestic B2B transactions. Cross-border (intra-EU and outside-EU) transactions are reported via the e-reporting flow rather than e-invoicing, but still go through the platform. B2C is out of scope for the structured-invoice mandate but in scope for e-reporting of transaction data.
Which ERPs have Factur-X / PDP connectors today?+
SAP DRC supports France from the 2025 release. Oracle Fusion via Tax Reporting Cloud + French localisation. Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O with the French localisation pack. Sage X3 has native Factur-X. Cegid (large French market share), Pennylane, Quadratus — all have native PDP connectors. Cloudare implements all of the above.
How do PDP providers compete?+
On three things: cost (per-invoice pricing model), feature depth (lifecycle tracking, dispute management, payment reconciliation), and integration ecosystem (which ERPs they're certified with). DGFiP publishes the accredited PDP list; current count is in the dozens. Pick based on your ERP fit and volume.