In several cities across France, groups of small entrepreneurs, farmers, and merchants are organizing to protest a new rule requiring all VAT-paying businesses to switch to electronic invoicing. This rule became mandatory on September 1, 2026, but many small businesses say it will increase their administrative workload and create new challenges. In regions such as Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique, and Ariège, public meetings are being planned to express concerns about the transition and to demand more support from the government. The main issue is the lack of a unified system for electronic invoicing, which has led to confusion among businesses. Originally, the government planned a public portal where businesses could manage their invoices, but that plan has been scaled back to a list of approved platforms. This change has raised concerns that private companies managing these platforms might profit from the data they collect, rather than providing a free and open service for all businesses. Protests against the new rule have been ongoing for several months. Olivier Niol, a farmer from Brittany, says he still uses cash and does not have a smartphone, making the switch to digital invoicing difficult. Anissa, a sheep breeder in Fégréac, worries that the new system will require more time spent on screen-based tasks, which could be burdensome for someone working in agriculture. Léandre, who runs a food truck, is concerned that many of his local suppliers, who are also small businesses, may not be ready to provide the necessary digital documentation. A petition opposing the electronic invoicing rule has been created on the National Assembly's website. By late September 2026, it had gathered 31,000 signatures, up from 24,000 in June. The French government has introduced a grace period, delaying any penalties until the end of 2026 to give businesses more time to adapt. Deputy Mathilde Hignet of the Insoumis party has proposed a temporary halt, or moratorium, on the electronic invoicing requirement for small businesses, arguing that the burden should not fall on them to improve government oversight of tax fraud. Sébastien Rabineau, who oversees the electronic invoicing project at the Directorate General of Public Finances, has assured businesses that no penalties will be imposed this year and that support will be provided to those facing difficulties. He emphasized the government's commitment to helping businesses transition smoothly to the new system.