Paris · Lyon · Marseille · Bordeaux · Lille. INTERCOL operates the French corridor with Tribunal de Commerce filings, Injonction de Payer expertise, and Huissier de Justice execution nationwide.
Legal System
Civil law (Code civil)
Primary Instrument
Injonction de Payer (CPC Art. 1405)
Typical Timeline
30–45 days (uncontested)
Court Costs
€35.21 (Tribunal de Commerce)
INTERCOL Presence
Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille
France enforces one of Europe's strictest late-payment regimes. Article L441-10 of the Code de Commerce caps payment terms at 60 days from invoice (or 45 days end-of-month), and statutory penalties accrue automatically the day after due date — no demand required.
INTERCOL operates from Paris with regional counsel in Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Lille. Files are handled by avocats inscrits au barreau, paired with Huissiers de Justice for service and execution.
Bilingual mise en demeure issued under INTERCOL letterhead, citing Article L441-10 statutory interest, the €40 fixed fee, and DGCCRF reporting exposure. Debtor verification through Infogreffe and Pappers.
8–15 daysPetition filed electronically with the Tribunal de Commerce of the debtor's siège social. Court issues the ordonnance; Huissier serves on debtor; debtor has 1 month to oppose. Default converts to titre exécutoire.
30–45 daysTitre exécutoire triggers Huissier-led execution: saisie-attribution on bank accounts (FICOBA-traced), saisie-vente on movables, saisie immobilière on real estate. Forced sale via vente aux enchères where required.
15–45 daysThe Injonction de Payer (Articles 1405–1425 CPC) is France's expedited order-for-payment procedure. It applies to liquidated commercial debts of any amount, requires no hearing, and converts to a titre exécutoire within 30–45 days if uncontested.
The petition is filed with the Tribunal de Commerce where the debtor is a merchant, or the Tribunal Judiciaire otherwise. INTERCOL files electronically via the Tribunal Digital portal — no physical filing delays.
Primary Legal Instrument
France's expedited order-for-payment procedure. No monetary cap. Converts to titre exécutoire in 30–45 days if uncontested, with direct progression to Huissier-led saisie execution.
Enforcement is monopolised by Huissiers de Justice, judicial officers with exclusive authority over saisie procedures. Saisie-attribution (bank attachment), saisie-vente (movable assets), and saisie immobilière (real estate) are the standard instruments.
INTERCOL maintains direct working relationships with Huissier offices in all 96 metropolitan départements. Bank traces via the FICOBA registry are completed in 3–7 working days; saisie-attribution typically attaches within 15–30 days.
Cross-border matters proceed under Regulation (EC) 1896/2006 (European Order for Payment) where the debtor is France-domiciled, preserving the EU-wide enforcement title.
Allianz Trade projects over 16,000 French companies will enter insolvency proceedings in the construction sector alone, with total insolvencies settling at historically elevated levels through 2026.
In the EU, one in four business bankruptcies is caused by late payments.
France consistently tops the European insolvency charts — if your debtor hasn't paid, they may not be able to for much longer.
Source: Allianz Trade Global Insolvency Report, 2025 · European Commission
Would all passengers holding outstanding invoices please proceed to the assessment desk. A specialist will review your receivables, confirm what's recoverable, and present your recovery options — at no cost and no obligation.
This is the final call for outstanding receivables.