International collections
Collect a Debt from a Company in France
Updated 2026-10-24
To collect from a French company, work through a French-speaking partner who confirms the debtor in the trade and companies register, sends a formal notice (mise en demeure) and negotiates with the manager or finance department. Many accounts settle at this amicable stage. If the debtor refuses, a French court order for payment or a lawsuit is usually more direct than enforcing a U.S. judgment, which needs exequatur. Confirm with French counsel.
| Language | French |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Legal system | Civil law (Civil Code, Commercial Code, Code of Civil Procedure) |
| Enforcing a U.S. judgment | Requires an exequatur ruling from a French court; jurisdiction, public policy and absence of fraud are reviewed |
| Company records | Trade and companies register (RCS); the Kbis extract is the standard company certificate |
| Typical amicable timeline | Often 30 to 90 days |
What to expect when collecting in France
French business culture puts weight on formal written notice. A demand in French, addressed to the company's legal representative and clearly titled as a formal notice, signals that the creditor is serious and starts the clock for several legal consequences. A friendly email in English can sit unanswered for weeks.
We begin by pulling the company's registration details. French company names include a legal form such as SAS, SARL or SA, and a SIREN or SIRET number identifies the entity. We also check for collective proceedings, such as safeguard, receivership or liquidation, because creditors must then file a claim with the court-appointed representative within a set period instead of pursuing the debtor directly.
How a French file runs
- Confirm the legal entity, SIREN number, registered office and legal representative
- Check for safeguard, receivership or liquidation proceedings
- Send a formal notice in French through a local partner, with invoices attached
- Follow up by phone and email with the finance team or company manager
- Negotiate payment in full or an installment plan for your approval
- Prepare a legal recommendation with costs if the debtor refuses to pay
Late payment rules in France
French law sets strict rules on payment terms between businesses and provides for late payment penalties and a fixed collection-cost indemnity per invoice when a professional debtor pays late. These rules are designed for contracts governed by French law. If your contract is governed by a U.S. state's law, the French penalties may not apply in the same way. Your French partner or lawyer can confirm what can be claimed before it is added to a demand.
Legal options in France
For an undisputed claim, French procedure offers an order for payment (injonction de payer). The creditor files an application with the competent court, and if the judge grants it, the order is served on the debtor, who has a limited time to object. Without an objection, it can become enforceable. Contested claims go through ordinary proceedings before the commercial court or other competent court.
A U.S. judgment needs an exequatur decision before it can be enforced in France. France has no treaty with the United States on judgments, so French courts apply their own rules. They do not rehear the merits, but they check that the U.S. court had a sufficient connection to the dispute, that the judgment does not conflict with French international public policy and that there was no fraud. Punitive damages awards can be reduced or refused if they are disproportionate. Exequatur proceedings take time and require translations, so the choice between exequatur and a fresh French action should be made with French counsel.
Once a creditor has an enforceable title, a judicial officer (commissaire de justice) handles enforcement measures such as bank account attachments.
Documents French courts and debtors expect
- Signed contract, order confirmation or accepted general terms of sale
- Invoices showing payment terms and any late payment terms
- Delivery notes, acceptance reports or proof of services
- Correspondence in which the debtor acknowledged the balance
- Certified French translations if the file goes to court
Working across time zones
France is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time. Our partners contact debtors during French business hours and send updates you can read at the start of your day. Note that many French companies slow down considerably in August, which can delay responses during that month.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enforce a U.S. judgment in France?
Yes, potentially, but only after a French court grants exequatur. The court checks jurisdiction, public policy and fraud without retrying the case. Because the process takes time and translation costs, many creditors compare it with suing directly in France. Ask French counsel.
What is a mise en demeure?
It is a formal written notice demanding payment. In France it is the expected first step before legal action and can start the running of interest and other consequences. Our partners send it in French.
What if the debtor is in a collective proceeding?
Direct collection must stop. Creditors file a declaration of claim with the court-appointed representative within a strict deadline. We check for these proceedings at the start of every French file.
What does it cost?
Amicable collection is on contingency, so you pay a percentage of what is recovered. Legal fees and court costs are quoted in advance and only incurred with your approval.