Late-payment penalty calculator
Unpaid invoice? Work out the late-payment penalties, add the €40 fixed recovery fee, and get a chaser letter ready to send. Based on the French Commercial Code, free and no sign-up.
How do you calculate late-payment penalties in France?
The formula is straightforward: amount due × annual penalty rate × days late ÷ 365. Lateness starts the day after the due date shown on the invoice.
Absent a clause in your terms, the legal minimum rate is the European Central Bank's key rate plus 10 points. Many businesses set three times the statutory interest rate in their terms, which is permitted.
On top of that, a flat recovery fee of €40 is automatically due on any business-to-business invoice paid late (article L441-10 of the French commercial code). It applies per invoice, not per customer, and is owed whether or not it is claimed. Between businesses the payment term is 30 days after receipt by default, and may be extended to 60 days, or 45 days end of month, by agreement.
The unpaid invoice
What you can claim
Chaser wording
La date de calcul doit être postérieure à l'échéance pour générer une relance.
Informatif. Le taux applicable dépend de vos CGV ; à défaut, le minimum légal est le taux BCE majoré de 10 points. En cas de litige, un conseil est recommandé.
How it works
Enter the invoice
Amount owed, due date, and the date you are calculating from.
Choose the rate
The rate in your terms of sale, or the legal minimum (ECB + 10 points).
Relancez sereinement
Penalties, the €40 fee, and a chaser ready to send.
Frequently asked questions
How do you work out late-payment penalties on an invoice?
Penalties = amount owed × annual penalty rate × (days late / 365). Failing a contract clause, the legal minimum rate is the ECB policy rate plus 10 points; terms of sale often set three times the French statutory interest rate.
What is the €40 fixed recovery fee?
On any business-to-business invoice paid late, a fixed recovery fee of €40 is payable as of right, on top of the late-payment penalties (article L441-10, French Commercial Code).
What is the legal payment term between businesses?
Failing an agreement, the term is 30 days from receipt. It can be extended to 60 days (or 45 days end of month) where the parties agree.
How do you invoice late-payment penalties?
They are due by law and payable without any reminder from the day after the due date; the rate and the €40 fixed indemnity must also appear on the invoice (mandatory mention). Claim them with a reminder or a debit note stating the amount due, the rate applied and the number of days late. Penalties and the indemnity are not subject to VAT.
Example: how much to claim for a €2,000 invoice paid 30 days late?
At an annual rate of 12%: €2,000 × 12% × 30 / 365 = €19.73 in penalties, plus the €40 fixed indemnity, i.e. €59.73 to claim from a business client.
What if the client is a private individual?
The €40 fixed indemnity only applies between businesses. With a private individual, you can claim interest at the statutory rate from the formal notice (mise en demeure), unless your contract says otherwise.
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