French Wedding VAT Explained: HT, TTC and TVA
You've received two quotes from French wedding suppliers. One lists €5,000 HT, while the other shows €5,600 TTC. At first glance, the first looks cheaper.
But if 20% VAT applies, the €5,000 HT quote becomes €6,000 TTC — making it €400 more expensive than the second offer.
French businesses are generally required to communicate tax-inclusive prices to consumers. Still, when reviewing detailed wedding proposals, understanding HT, TTC, and TVA helps you compare costs correctly and avoid budgeting mistakes.
What Do HT, TTC and TVA Mean?
These three abbreviations frequently appear on French quotations (devis), contracts, and invoices.
HT — Hors Taxes (Before Tax)
This is the price before value-added tax is added. An amount marked HT is not necessarily what you'll actually pay.
TVA — Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée (Value-Added Tax)
TVA is the French equivalent of VAT. The standard rate in mainland France is 20%, although reduced rates and exemptions apply to certain goods and services.
TTC — Toutes Taxes Comprises (Including All Taxes)
This is the price including applicable taxes. When comparing wedding suppliers, the TTC amount is generally the figure you should use in your budget.
For example, a supplier charging the standard 20% TVA rate might provide the following breakdown:
Description | Amount |
Service price (HT) | €5,000 |
TVA (20%) | €1,000 |
Total (TTC) | €6,000 |
Is French Wedding VAT Always 20%?
No. Different wedding-related services may be subject to different VAT rates.
In mainland France, the standard 20% rate applies to most taxable goods and services. However, qualifying catering and hotel-style accommodation may be subject to a reduced 10% rate. Alcoholic beverages are generally taxed at 20%.
A château offering accommodation, catering, and event facilities may therefore have different VAT treatments for different elements of its proposal.
Accommodation deserves particular attention. Hotel-style services may qualify for the 10% rate, while ordinary residential furnished rentals are often exempt from VAT. The applicable treatment depends on the nature of the accommodation and the services provided.
Don't assume that every element of a wedding package is taxed at the same rate. Ask for an itemized quotation showing the applicable taxes and the final TTC amount.
For an overview of French VAT rates, see the French Ministry of Economy's official guidance.
What If a French Wedding Supplier Doesn't Charge TVA?
Some small French businesses operate under a VAT exemption scheme known as franchise en base de TVA.
Their invoices may include the statement:
TVA non applicable, article 293 B du CGI.
This indicates that the supplier does not charge VAT under the exemption scheme. It doesn't automatically mean anything is wrong with the business.
For example, two wedding photographers might quote different amounts partly because one charges VAT while the other operates under the exemption scheme.
The most useful comparison is the total amount you'll actually pay, not whether VAT appears as a separate line.
How to Compare French Wedding Quotes Correctly
French consumer-pricing rules generally require businesses to communicate prices including applicable taxes. However, detailed proposals may also display HT figures to explain how the total is calculated.
Before comparing offers, confirm the final TTC amount and exactly what each quotation includes.
A château quoting €8,000 TTC may still require separate payments for accommodation, cleaning, furniture, or additional event hours. A tax-inclusive price is not necessarily an all-inclusive wedding price.
Our Before You Book the Venue guide helps you investigate these practical details before committing to a property.
Tax is also only one part of understanding a French wedding contract. The way your initial payment is classified can affect your financial obligations if plans change. Our article on arrhes vs acompte in French wedding contracts explains what these terms mean before you pay a deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TTC mean the final price I'll pay?
TTC includes applicable taxes, but it doesn't necessarily cover optional services, additional hours, or charges excluded from the quotation. Confirm the full scope of the agreed services and any potential extras before signing.
Do American couples have to pay French VAT?
Generally, French VAT applies to taxable wedding services such as venue hire, catering, and qualifying accommodation supplied in France. Living in the United States does not automatically exempt you from paying it. Other services may follow different tax rules, so confirm the applicable treatment with the supplier.
Can a French wedding invoice include several VAT rates?
Yes. Different components of a wedding proposal may have different VAT treatments. For example, qualifying catering services may be taxed at 10%, while alcoholic beverages are generally taxed at 20%. Ask the supplier to identify the rates applied to each component.
Can I request a TTC quotation from a French wedding supplier?
Yes. Ask for a complete tax-inclusive quotation showing the agreed services, applicable VAT, and any additional charges. Having these details in writing makes comparing suppliers easier and reduces uncertainty about the amount payable.
Before You Sign
A French wedding quote should answer two separate questions: How much will you pay, and what exactly does that price include?
Understanding HT, TTC, and TVA helps you answer the first. Reviewing services, exclusions, and payment conditions helps you answer the second.
Keep both in mind as you compare proposals, and use our France Destination Wedding Checklist to track the details that need confirmation before committing to your wedding suppliers.
