Tax Representative in France for UK Residents and Businesses
Since Brexit, British businesses and residents with fiscal obligations in France are subject to the same rules as third countries. This guide explains what has changed and what you need to do.
The impact of Brexit on your French tax obligations
On 31 December 2020, the United Kingdom officially left the European single market. From a tax perspective, the consequences were immediate: the UK became a third country to the European Union, on the same footing as the United States, China or Canada. This change in status upended the obligations of British businesses and residents with activities or assets in France.
Before Brexit, a UK company did not need to appoint an accredited fiscal representative to register for VAT in France: it could deal directly with the Service des Impôts des Entreprises Étrangères. Since 1 January 2026, that route is closed to it. The fiscal representation obligation set out in Article 289 A of the French General Tax Code (CGI) now applies in full.
The Franco-British tax treaty remains in force
The tax treaty between France and the United Kingdom (to avoid double taxation on income) was not affected by Brexit. It continues to apply to income and inheritance taxes. However, it does not cover VAT.
UK businesses: new VAT obligations in France
Any UK company (Ltd, LLP, PLC…) carrying out VAT-liable transactions in France must now:
Appoint a fiscal representative accredited by the French Tax Authority (DGFiP) before any taxable transaction
Register for VAT in France through that representative
File periodic VAT returns (CA3)
Arrange or have arranged a bank guarantee if required by the tax authority
The most affected sectors are e-commerce (sale of goods stored or dispatched to France), B2C service provision, construction and real estate works, and distribution of digital content to French consumers.
Type of UK activity in France
Main obligation
Tax representative required?
E-commerce (goods stored in France)
VAT on sales + import VAT
Yes — mandatory
B2B services to French businesses
Reverse charge by the client
No (in principle)
B2C services to French consumers
French VAT to collect
Yes — mandatory
Construction works in France
VAT on works
Yes — mandatory
British residents: real estate and rental income in France
For British individuals residing in the United Kingdom who own property in France, the rules are different but equally important. Unlike corporate VAT obligations, the tax representative requirement for individuals is linked to the amount of the taxable capital gain realised on a sale.
In practice, if the net taxable capital gain on the sale of your French property exceeds €150,000, you must mandatorily appoint an accredited fiscal representative. This representative calculates the tax due (19% capital gains tax + 17.2% social levies for residents outside the EU/EEA), declares it and remits it to the tax authority.
Practical example
A British couple living in London owns an apartment in Paris that they bought for €200,000 in 2010 and sell for €450,000 in 2026. The gross capital gain is €250,000. After allowances for length of ownership, the net taxable capital gain exceeds €150,000. They must appoint an accredited fiscal representative before signing the deed of sale at the notary's office.
Appointing a tax representative from the UK: the steps
The procedure is similar for businesses and individuals, with a few nuances. For a UK company, the fiscal representative assembles a file including the company's articles of association, a recent Companies House extract, and a power of attorney. For an individual, identity documents and transaction supporting documents are generally sufficient.
The fiscal representative then submits the file to the Service des Impôts des Entreprises Étrangères (SIEE) or the Tax Office with jurisdiction over real estate transactions. They become your sole point of contact with the French tax administration and assume joint and several liability for the payment of taxes due.
Watch out for deadlines
The appointment of a tax representative must take place before the taxable transaction occurs: before the first delivery of goods in France for a business, before the notarial deed is signed for a property sale. Any after-the-fact regularisation is more complex and may result in late-payment penalties.
To find a fiscal representative specialising in British cases, see our list of DGFiP-accredited fiscal representatives. Some professionals are well-versed in post-Brexit specificities and regularly act for UK clients.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Before Brexit, UK businesses benefited from EU-established company status and did not need to appoint an accredited fiscal representative for their French VAT obligations. Since 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom is a third country. Any UK business with VAT obligations in France must now mandatorily appoint a fiscal representative accredited by the French Tax Authority (DGFiP).
No. The tax representative obligation applies to individuals and legal entities who are tax-resident outside France. A British national residing in France and paying taxes there is treated like any French tax resident. The obligation only applies to non-resident British nationals who have taxable income or transactions in France (property sale, rental income, commercial activity).
Yes. The Franco-British tax treaty of 1968 (as revised) remains in force after Brexit. It governs double taxation on income and wealth. However, this treaty does not exempt UK businesses from their French VAT obligations or from appointing an accredited fiscal representative for VAT-liable transactions.
Yes, if the net taxable capital gain exceeds €150,000. Below this threshold, a tax representative is not legally required but may be recommended. The notary can withhold the tax due directly from the sale price if no representative is appointed. Above the €150,000 threshold, the notary will mandatorily require an accredited fiscal representative to be designated.
A UK company must appoint a fiscal representative accredited by the French Tax Authority (DGFiP), who assembles the registration file with the Service des Impôts des Entreprises Étrangères (SIEE) in Paris. The file includes the company's articles of association, a recent Companies House extract, and a power of attorney. Registration takes 4 to 6 weeks. Once registered, the company receives a French VAT number (FR + 11 digits).
Browse our list of tax representatives accredited by the French Tax Authority (DGFiP). Compare specialities, get a quote and secure your tax obligations in France.
