Due without a reminder
Penalties run from the day after the payment date on the invoice. No reminder is needed.
French Commercial Code, article L441-10
Pénalités de retard: late payment interest in France (July–December 2026)
In France, unless your terms set another rate, late-payment penalties between businesses are the ECB refinancing rate plus 10 percentage points, reset every half-year. For July–December 2026 that is 12.4% a year, plus a €40 fixed recovery fee (indemnité forfaitaire).
En français : calcul des pénalités de retardECB main refinancing rate + 10 percentage points (the default when your terms set no rate). French Commercial Code, article L441-10.
You can add
€65.48Days late
30
Interest
€25.48
12.4% a year · €0.85 a day
Fixed fee
€40.00
How it adds up
30 Aug 2026 – 28 Sept 202630 days at 12.4% a year
€25.48
Fixed compensation€40 flat recovery fee (indemnité forfaitaire)
€40.00
Total you can add
€65.48
The ECB rate on 1 January applies to January–June, and the rate on 1 July to July–December.
A line for your final reminder
Invoice #1042 is now 30 days overdue. Under the French Commercial Code, article L441-10, late-payment interest of €25.48 (12.4% a year) and a fixed recovery fee of €40.00 can now be added. I’m happy to waive this if the invoice is paid this week.Business-to-business invoices only. A rate agreed in your contract replaces these. General information, not legal advice.
Rather not chase at all?
Babara sends polite, escalating reminders for you, can mention this interest for you, and stops the moment they pay.
Try Babara freeFrance
How it works in France
Your own rate, with a floor
Your terms can set a different rate, but not below three times the legal interest rate.
Half-year rates
The ECB rate on 1 January applies to January–June and the rate on 1 July to July–December.
Show it on invoices
French invoices must state the late-payment penalty rate and the €40 recovery fee.
Every half-year since 2023
France late-payment interest rates
ECB main refinancing rate + 10 percentage points (the default when your terms set no rate). The ECB rate on 1 January applies to January–June, and the rate on 1 July to July–December.
| Period | ECB main refinancing rate | Yearly rate |
|---|---|---|
| July–December 2026 | 2.40% | 12.40% |
| January–June 2026 | 2.15% | 12.15% |
| July–December 2025 | 2.15% | 12.15% |
| January–June 2025 | 3.15% | 13.15% |
| July–December 2024 | 4.25% | 14.25% |
| January–June 2024 | 4.50% | 14.50% |
| July–December 2023 | 4.00% | 14.00% |
| January–June 2023 | 2.50% | 12.50% |
Other countries
Before the first reminder
Good questions.
Quel est le taux des pénalités de retard au second semestre 2026 ?
À défaut de taux prévu au contrat : 12.4 % par an (taux de refinancement de la BCE au 1er juillet 2026, 2,40 %, majoré de 10 points), plus l’indemnité forfaitaire de 40 €.
What is the French late payment penalty rate?
12.4% a year for July–December 2026 when your terms don’t set another rate (ECB rate of 2.40% on 1 July 2026 + 10 points).
Can I set a lower rate in my terms?
Yes, but it can’t be lower than three times the French legal interest rate for the period.
Does the €40 fee apply to every invoice?
Yes, the €40 flat recovery fee applies per late invoice between businesses, on top of the penalties.
Consider the awkward part handled.
Let Babara mention it for you
Babara chases late invoices politely and can add one calm line about the interest the law allows to your final reminder.
Start chasing lessYour clients won’t know what hit them. (A very polite email.) Free for your first 3 invoices.