Unpaid Invoice Reminder Letter
The unpaid invoice reminder letter lets a business remind its client that an invoice has fallen due and invite them to pay it. Under article L441-10 of the Code de commerce (French Commercial Code), late-payment penalties are due as of right, without any prior reminder being necessary, from the day after the due date. A fixed recovery indemnity of 40 euros also applies. This template adjusts the tone of the reminder to the level of urgency: a courteous first reminder, a firm second reminder or a final warning before a mise en demeure (formal notice). This form is in English, but the document is generated in French, ready to sign and use in France.
Note: the questionnaire is in English; the generated document is in French.
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Frequently asked questions
Are late-payment penalties automatically due between businesses?
Yes. Article L441-10 of the Code de commerce (French Commercial Code) provides that late-payment penalties are due as of right the day after the payment date shown on the invoice, without any reminder being necessary. The applicable rate cannot be lower than three times the statutory interest rate.
What is the fixed 40 euro indemnity?
Article L441-10 paragraph 3 of the Code de commerce provides that, in the event of late payment, a business creditor may claim from the debtor a fixed indemnity of 40 euros for recovery costs. This indemnity is due as of right, without any prior mise en demeure (formal notice).
How many reminders should be sent before a formal notice?
No statutory rule sets a minimum number of reminders. In practice, it is advisable to send a courteous first reminder, then a firm second reminder, before sending a formal mise en demeure (formal notice) if the debt remains unpaid. This gradation demonstrates the creditor's good faith.
Can this template be used with an individual client?
This template is designed for business-to-business relationships (B2B), the context in which article L441-10 of the Code de commerce applies. For a relationship with an individual consumer, the rules of the Code de la consommation (French Consumer Code) apply and a specific template is recommended.
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