How long does French VAT registration take for a foreign company? What the administration says, what actually causes delays, and how to prepare a file that goes through cleanly.
How long does French VAT registration take?
The French tax administration does not publish a fixed processing time for the VAT registration of a foreign company. We therefore do not quote a number of days: any figure would be a guess.
Two points are stated in the official guidance: the file must be complete when it is filed, and registration cannot take place before taxable operations in France actually begin. In practice, the main factor you control is the quality of the file.
Who processes your file
Foreign companies without an establishment in France submit their request through the online formalities portal (formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr). The competent service depends on where the company is established.
- EU companies (and certain third countries): the SIEE, the French service for foreign companies. According to the administration, appointing a fiscal representative is not mandatory.
- Other non-EU companies: a tax representative established and VAT-registered in France is generally required, with a limited exception linked to payroll withholding tax.
Not sure which applies to you? Read Do I need a fiscal representative in France? EU vs non-EU. UK companies can also see VAT registration in France for UK companies after Brexit.
What the administration requires at filing
The guidance asks for the whole file at once, not in several waves. In summary:
- a copy of the commercial registry certificate from the home country;
- the articles of association, with a French translation;
- a VAT attestation, unless the VAT number is already valid in VIES;
- SEPA-compliant bank details and email addresses for communications;
- a signed mandate if a representative acts for the company.
The registration request is made through the formalities portal. The details of each document are in our step-by-step guide.
Why files get delayed
The following points are practical observations, not official statistics.
- Missing or uncertified translations of the articles of association or registry extracts.
- Inconsistent details: the company name, legal form or address differs between the registry certificate, the articles and the bank details.
- Filing too early: the file is submitted before any taxable operation in France has begun.
- Wrong route: filing directly when the situation requires a representative, or the reverse.
- Incomplete mandate: missing signature, scope or representative details.
- Documents sent in several waves instead of one complete file.
- Unclear activity: the description of the business does not match the operations actually carried out in France.
How to prepare a file that goes through cleanly
What a mandataire fiscal does during processing
A mandataire fiscal can check the file before it is filed, submit it, follow it up with the administration and then take over the French VAT returns, under a written mandate. A mandataire fiscal and a fiscal representative are two distinct statuses: see Fiscal representative or VAT agent: what is the difference in France? and French tax agent: who needs one and how to choose.
Our service page explains what we handle: VAT registration in France.
After registration
- Check the French VAT number in VIES: how to check an intra-EU VAT number.
- Set the VAT return calendar and filing frequency.
- Make sure invoices carry the correct VAT details: French VAT number: format, how to check it and how to get one.
FAQ
How long does French VAT registration take?
The French tax administration does not publish a fixed processing time for the VAT registration of foreign companies. A complete and consistent file is the best way to avoid delays.
Can I register before I start selling in France?
No. According to the administration, registration cannot take place before taxable operations in France begin.
Do EU companies need a tax representative in France?
According to the administration, a fiscal representative is not mandatory for companies established in the EU. Other non-EU companies generally need one, subject to a limited exception.
Can I send missing documents later?
The guidance expects the complete file to be supplied when it is filed, so it is safer to gather everything first.
Do my documents have to be translated?
The articles of association must be supplied with a French translation, certified where the original is in a non-EU language.
How do I check my French VAT number once it is issued?
You can check it with the EU VIES service.
Informational content, which does not constitute legal advice. The rules that apply depend on your situation.
