FRL·006Get paid · Free · no account
Invoice reminder letter: generate yours for free
Pick the tone, from a friendly reminder to a formal notice: the letter is written with your amounts.
Amount, due date, penalties and indemnity carried over from the late payment penalty calculator.
Written in your browser. No account, nothing stored.
Generated Letter amounts · engine v1.0 FRL·006 · tested 2026-10-01
Templates provided as an aid. For a significant dispute, get support from a legal professional.
- Amount incl. VAT (€)
- —
- Late-payment penalties (€)
- —
- Fixed indemnity (€)
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- Total due
- €0.00
Get 3 ready-to-send reminder emails
The reminder schedule and 3 emails, from a polite nudge to the final reminder before formal notice. Free, by email.
What the tool does not do
- It does not send the letter.
- It does not replace a bailiff or a lawyer.
- It keeps nothing.
Build notes
- Version
- FRL·006 · v1.0
- Checked on
- Sources
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- Code de commerce, art. L441-10 (Légifrance) checked 2026-10-01
- Tests
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- Montants repris dans les 4 niveaux, de la relance à la mise en demeure · CI test:outils
- Total dû, client particulier et champs vides · CI test:outils
- Role of AI
- AI-assisted first draft of the code and copy, reviewed and corrected. Maths and formats checked by automated tests.
- Known limits
-
- It does not send the letter.
- It does not replace a bailiff or a lawyer.
- It keeps nothing.
- History
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- · Reminder letter: 3 email templates and a schedule, by email
- · Reminders, quotes, day rate: guidance under each tool
- · Day rate, late-payment and reminder engines tested on every change
Three steps, no sign-up.
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Pick the tone.
Friendly, firm, final reminder or formal notice.
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Fill in the invoice.
Number, dates and amounts; the penalties come from the late-payment penalty calculator.
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Send it.
Paste the letter into an email, or print it for registered post.
Writing an invoice reminder letter
The three reminders, and when to send them
An unpaid invoice is chased in steps, from friendly to firm. The timings below are common practice, not law: adapt them to your relationship with the client.
- Reminder 1, friendly: in the days after the due date (day 1 to day 7). A simple nudge, since it is often an oversight or a lost invoice.
- Reminder 2, firm: around day 15. In France, it mentions late-payment penalties and the fixed €40 recovery fee.
- Reminder 3, final: a few days before the formal notice, usually sent around day 30. It states what happens next if payment does not arrive.
Reminder or formal notice?
A reminder is just a nudge: it points out that the invoice is unpaid. A “mise en demeure” (formal notice) is more serious. In France it is sent by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, restates the invoice and the amount due, and sets a deadline (often 8 days) before you start proceedings.
In France, it is the usual step before going to court, and useful evidence. This invoice reminder letter covers all four levels, from the friendly first reminder to the formal notice.
Late-payment penalties and the €40 fee
In France, between businesses, article L441-10 of the Commercial Code says late-payment penalties apply without any prior reminder or formal notice. The rate is the one in your terms of sale and cannot be lower than 3 times the legal interest rate. If no rate is stated, the European Central Bank rate plus 10 points applies.
A fixed €40 recovery fee is also due for each invoice paid late. These rules apply to business clients only: with a private individual, neither the business penalties nor the €40 fee apply. Source: service-public, “Délais de paiement entre professionnels et pénalités de retard”, checked on 7 August 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use this reminder letter template?
Pick the reminder level, then enter the invoice number, dates and amounts. The letter picks them up. Copy it into an email or print it: the tool does not send it. No account. Clairsmith keeps nothing you type.
Do I need a formal notice before charging late-payment penalties?
Not in France between businesses: article L441-10 of the Commercial Code makes them applicable without prior reminder or formal notice. A formal notice is still the usual step before going to court.
Can I claim the €40 fee from a private customer?
No. Under the French rules, the fixed €40 fee and the business penalties apply to business clients only. You can still send a reminder to a private individual, without those amounts.
Does this tool replace legal advice?
No. It helps you write a clear letter, nothing more. If the amount is large or the client disputes the debt, talk to a lawyer or a debt-recovery professional before going further.