Freelancers & Consultants: Croatia vs France VAT Rules

    How VAT obligations differ for freelancers & consultants between Croatia and France.

    CriterionCroatiaFrance
    Standard rate applied25%20%
    Registration threshold€39,816 annual turnover€85,800 (goods) / €34,400 (services)
    Filing frequencyMonthlyMonthly or quarterly
    Invoicing constraintsMandatory fiscal cash registers. Invoices must include all standard EU fields. e-Invoice system for B2G.Invoices must include a sequential number, date, seller/buyer details, VAT number, description, and amounts. E-invoicing mandatory for B2B from 2026.
    Sector-relevant regimesMandatory fiscalization of all invoices · Reduced rate for tourism and hospitality · Special scheme for farmersAuto-entrepreneur regime with simplified VAT · Special rules for DOM-TOM territories · E-invoicing mandate rolling out 2026-2027
    Penalty exposureInterest at 5.89% annually on late payments. Fines from €260 to €46,400 for non-compliance.10% surcharge for late filing, 40% for deliberate non-compliance, 80% for fraud.

    Typical use cases

    Digital Services
    Software development, design, marketing, and other digital deliverables.
    Consulting Services
    Management, strategy, and advisory consulting engagements.
    Creative Services
    Photography, videography, writing, and artistic services.
    Training & Coaching
    Professional training, workshops, and coaching sessions.
    Translation & Localization
    Translation, interpretation, and content localization services.

    Disclaimer : This tool is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax advisor for decisions regarding your tax situation.Source : EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC

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