All country guides
VAT reclaim guide
France.
Foreign VAT reclaim against France — rates, deadlines and what's claimable for businesses recovering expenses paid in France.
General reference for foreign VAT reclaim — not tax advice. Rules and rates change; always confirm with the local authority before filing.
VAT rates
Standard20%
Reduced2.1% · 5.5% · 10%
EU-established claimants
Directive 2008/9/EC (8th Directive)
- Minimum refund (sub-annual)
- €400
- Minimum refund (annual)
- €50
- Filing deadline
- 30 September of the year following the claim year
- Refund period
- Quarterly or annual (minimum 3 months, maximum 1 calendar year)
Non-EU claimants
Businesses established outside the EU
- Minimum refund (sub-annual)
- €200
- Minimum refund (annual)
- €25
- Filing deadline
- 30 June of the year following the claim year
- Refund period
- Quarterly or annual
- Reciprocity
- Required for most non-EU claimants. Some bilateral agreements waive it.
Typically claimable
- Business hotel accommodation (employees only — owner/director excluded)
- Restaurant meals (employee meals)
- Conferences, fairs and exhibitions
- Fuel for commercial vehicles (passenger-car diesel partially recoverable)
- Road tolls and parking
- Short-term car rental for business
- Public transport and taxis
- Training and seminars
Typically not claimable
- Personal or non-business expenses
- Entertainment and hospitality
- Purchase of passenger cars (capped or excluded)
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Goods or services for resale in the country of refund
- Petrol for passenger cars (special partial-recovery regime applies)
- Hotel accommodation for the business owner / corporate director