Free invoice templates
for auto-entrepreneurs

Looking for a free, legally compliant invoice template for your French auto-enterprise? We have prepared 5 templates covering the most common scenarios: standard invoice without VAT, invoice with VAT, credit note, advance payment invoice and progress billing invoice. Each template includes all the mandatory fields required by French regulations in 2026.

Why use a compliant invoice template

Creating your invoices from scratch every time is a considerable waste of time. Beyond the practical aspect, using a pre-filled invoice template with the mandatory fields protects you against omissions that can be costly. The fine for a non-compliant invoice can reach 75,000 euros for an individual. A well-designed template eliminates this risk.

A professional template also strengthens your credibility with clients. A clear, well-structured and complete invoice projects an image of seriousness that can make all the difference, especially when you work with companies accustomed to processing dozens of invoices per month. Your documents are easy to find, quick to process, and your payments arrive faster.

Finally, having standardised templates simplifies your own bookkeeping. With an identical structure from one invoice to the next, tracking your turnover, preparing your URSSAF declarations and archiving your documents becomes much simpler.

Template 1: Standard invoice without VAT

This is the most common template for auto-entrepreneurs benefiting from the VAT exemption (franchise en base de TVA). It is suitable for the vast majority of situations: one-off service provision, product sale, freelance assignment. The statement "TVA non applicable, article 293 B du CGI" is prominently displayed, in accordance with French regulations.

Template 2: Invoice with VAT (post-exemption)

If you have exceeded the VAT exemption thresholds (37,500 euros for services, 85,000 euros for the sale of goods in 2026), you must now charge VAT. This template displays the amount excluding tax, the VAT amount and the amount including tax separately. Remember to include your intra-community VAT number, obtained from your business tax office (service des impots des entreprises).

Template 3: Credit note (avoir)

A credit note (facture d'avoir) is used to cancel or correct an invoice that has already been issued. This may be necessary in cases of billing errors, returned goods, partial or total cancellation of a service, or a goodwill gesture. The credit note must reference the original invoice and follow its own sequential numbering (separate from regular invoice numbering).

Template 4: Advance payment invoice (acompte)

An advance payment invoice (facture d'acompte) is issued when you request partial payment before the full completion of a service. This is a common and recommended practice, especially for long-duration projects or large amounts. It secures your cash flow and formalises the client's commitment. The advance payment invoice must reference the accepted quote and specify the percentage or amount of the advance relative to the total.

Template 5: Progress billing invoice (situation)

A progress billing invoice (facture de situation), also called a milestone invoice, is used to bill a project incrementally as work progresses. Common in the construction industry and for long-term services, it allows you to invoice instalments corresponding to a percentage of project completion. Each progress billing invoice must clearly indicate the overall percentage of completion, the amount already invoiced in previous instalments, and the amount for the current instalment.

How to customise these templates

These templates provide a solid foundation, but they benefit from being adapted to your specific activity. Start by filling in your permanent information: your full identity, SIRET number and bank details. These elements do not change from one invoice to the next and can be pre-filled once and for all.

Add your logo at the top of the invoice to reinforce your visual identity. A professional logo, even a simple one, immediately conveys an impression of seriousness. You can also customise the colours and layout to align with your brand guidelines, provided all mandatory fields remain legible and clearly visible.

To go even further, use an invoicing tool like Dokta that automates the creation of your invoices. No more copying and pasting templates: enter your service details and Dokta automatically generates a compliant invoice with all the legal fields, the correct numbering and automatic archiving. You save time and eliminate the risk of error.

Frequently asked questions

What format should I use for auto-entrepreneur invoices?

PDF is the most common and practical format. It ensures your layout stays consistent regardless of the device your client uses, and it is easy to archive. With mandatory e-invoicing starting in 2026-2027, structured formats like Factur-X (PDF enriched with XML data) will become the standard.

Can I use Excel or Word for invoicing?

Yes, it is legally permitted as long as all mandatory fields are present. However, these tools carry risks: calculation errors, missing fields, manual numbering prone to duplicates. A dedicated invoicing tool like Dokta eliminates these risks and saves you time.

How to number invoices when using a template?

Use a year-prefixed format such as 2026-001, 2026-002, etc. Increment the number manually with each new invoice. Important: the sequence must be chronological with no gaps. To avoid errors, invoicing software handles numbering automatically.

Are free invoice templates legally compliant?

A free template is compliant if it contains all mandatory fields required by the French Commercial Code and the CGI: seller and buyer identity, invoice number, date, detailed description, amounts, payment terms and VAT statement. Our templates include all of these fields.