French administration or public services: Which term of payment to choose?
The terms of payment are defined in the public sector code, article 98.
As of July 1st 2010, terms of payments are:
- 30 days for French administrations and public services other than the ones having an industrial or commercial nature and other than the ones mentioned in 3°;
- For regional authorities and local public services
other than the ones mentioned in 3°. The term of payment that was 45 days is now:
- a) 40 days from January 1, 2009;
- b) 35 days from January 1, 2010;
- c) 30 days from July 1, 2010.
- 50 days for public health services and army health services.
An overdue payment opens rights to claim statutory interests from the day following the due date. See decree 2002-232 and a detailed documents.
In April 30, 2008 the terms were:
- 30 days for French administrations and public services other than the ones having and an industrial or commercial nature and other than the ones mentioned in 3°;
- 45 days for regional authorities and local public services other than the ones mentioned in 3°;
- 50 days for public health services and army health services.
In January 1st 2009, the terms were:
- 30 days for French administrations and public services other than the ones having and an industrial or commercial nature and other than the ones mentioned in 3°;
- 40 days for regional authorities and local public services other than the ones mentioned in 3°;
- 50 days for public health services and army health services.
In January 1st 2010, the terms were:
- 30 days for French administrations and public services other than the ones having and an industrial or commercial nature and other than the ones mentioned in 3°;
- 35 days for regional authorities and local public services other than the ones mentioned in 3°;
- 50 days for public health services and army health services.
January 1st 2013: modifications
The decree 2013-269 of March 29, 2013 sets a 40 euros basic allowance due by public administrations that do not respect the terms of payment. It is a compensation for collection charges. They are due in addition to penalty fees.
The government has a tool to compute the default interest on public contracts: https://www.service-public.fr/simulateur/calcul/interets-moratoires