PDP vs PA in France: approved platform, PPF and compatible solution explained

Short answer: PDP and PA are the same thing. "PDP" (plateforme de dématérialisation partenaire, partner dematerialisation platform) is the old name. The official term is now "plateforme agréée" (PA, approved platform): the decree of 27 July 2026 replaces "PDP operator" with "approved platform" in the tax regulations ^[1]. A vendor that says "PDP" means an approved platform.

What is an approved platform?

An approved platform is a private operator registered by the French tax authority (DGFiP) for a renewable three-year term ^[2]. It is the only kind of operator allowed to:

• issue, transmit and receive e-invoices between businesses;
• extract the data the tax authority needs from those invoices and send it on;
• transmit transaction data (e-reporting) and payment data ^[2].

To be registered, an operator must show tax compliance, secure infrastructure and interoperability with the public portal and with other platforms. Final registration is granted only after live interoperability tests ^[3]. So the DGFiP publishes two lists: operators that meet every condition, and operators with a complete file that are still waiting for those tests ^[3].

Approved platform vs "compatible solution"

This is the question to ask your software vendor. A compatible solution (invoicing or accounting software, ERP…) can still be used, but it is not allowed to deliver your invoices to your customer's platform, to receive invoices for you, or to send your data to the tax authority ^[2]. To be usable it must meet two conditions: offer the features the reform requires and be connected to at least one approved platform ^[6].

Your tool	What it means
The vendor is itself an approved platform	It handles everything: issuing, receiving, e-reporting.
The vendor is a compatible solution connected to a PA	You use its interface; the partner PA does the transmission. Ask for its name.
No software	Pick an approved platform directly; some have a free plan.

The "approved platform" and "compatible solution" logos are regulated by the authority ^[3]. Always check the platform's name on the official list before signing.

And the PPF (public invoicing portal)?

Originally the state was going to offer a free public platform. That plan was dropped: France chose not to build a single public portal for exchanging invoices ^[4]. Invoices travel only between approved platforms; the state sets the standards, organises compatibility between platforms and runs the national directory ^[4].

The public portal now provides two services to approved platforms: the directory (annuaire) and declaration (collecting invoice, transaction and payment data) ^[5]. Businesses do not upload invoices there themselves.

The directory records, for each business (SIREN, SIRET), which platform receives its invoices. Your platform registers you there after a formal agreement with you ^[6]. If your customer has not chosen a platform yet, it has no directory entry and the e-invoice cannot be delivered ^[4].

Can a business use several platforms?

Yes. The choice is free: one or several platforms, one for issuing and another for receiving, and you can switch at any time ^[6]. A supplier cannot impose its platform or an exchange format on you ^[8].

Where does Peppol fit?

The DGFiP is the Peppol Authority for France ^[7]. But in France the Peppol network is optional: platforms can also connect through bilateral agreements ^[4]. Our lookup tool therefore only sees French platforms connected to Peppol (SIREN/SIRET identifiers, scheme 0225); only approved platforms can connect to the state's services, the directory included, for automated exchanges ^[4].

Key points

• PDP = PA = platform approved by the DGFiP ^[1].
• A compatible solution must be connected to an approved platform ^[6].
• The PPF is not a free exchange platform; it runs the directory and collects data ^[4][5].
• Check your platform's name on the official list ^[3].