As main contractor you are responsible for your subcontractors' compliance in France. What do you check, when, and what is the risk?
Blog · Subcontracting · France
Your company has a project in France and engages a subcontractor. What many companies don't know: as the main contractor, you are jointly responsible for that subcontractor's compliance. If something goes wrong, you can be fined yourself — even if your own documentation is in order.
SIPSI declaration, Carte BTP and representative with a date per worker. You file, the software checks. One subscription per country.
Updated: July 2026
Country: France
Source: legifrance.gouv.fr
Webinar excerpt: chain liability, duty of care and chain documentation in subcontracting in France — from the WorkAdministration webinar
When does the duty of verification apply?
French law imposes two verification duties ( devoir de vigilance , duty of care) with different thresholds:
Every contract · from € 5,000 excl. VAT
Every contract — Before work starts you verify that your subcontractor has filed its SIPSI declaration and appointed a representative; obtain a copy of the declaration (Code du travail L1262-4-1). From € 5,000 excluding VAT — At signature and every 6 months thereafter you also obtain its registration proof, VAT number and social-security certificate (A1s) (L8222-1, R8222-1, D8222-7).
Is the contract below €5,000? Only the document duty of L8222-1 falls away; checking the SIPSI declaration and the representative remains mandatory for every contract.
What do you verify — and when?
Before work starts
Request proof that your subcontractor has submitted a SIPSI notification and has appointed a representative. Save these documents in your project file.
Every 6 months (contracts from €5,000)
Request the L8222-1 documents again: registration proof, VAT number, A1 certificates (D8222-7). New workers or a new posting period? Then request the updated SIPSI declaration.
With every personnel change at the subcontractor
New workers at the subcontractor? Request the updated SIPSI confirmation that covers those workers.
Which documents do you request?
Documents from the subcontractor
SIPSI confirmation code Proof that the notification was submitted before work starts
Contact details of the representative in France Name, address, and phone number — reachable throughout the entire posting
A1 certificates per worker Proof of social insurance in the country of origin
Carte BTP per BTP worker (construction) Activated for the current contract
Relevant trade licences / qualifications JQPA for electrical, gas, heating; décennale insurance for construction
Keep everything: Store all documents from the subcontractor per project — including the date of receipt. If an inspection takes place later, this proves that you fulfilled your duty of verification.
Chain liability: what is your risk?
French law applies joint and several liability ( responsabilité solidaire ) in the event of non-compliance by subcontractors. As the main contractor you risk:
your own fine if you skipped the SIPSI check and the subcontractor did not declare (L1264-2)
wage arrears of the subcontractor's workers if you fail to act after written notice (L3245-2)
its taxes, social contributions and wages if you did not obtain the L8222-1 documents and it is convicted of undeclared work (L8222-2)
€ 4,000
per worker for violations in the chain
€ 8,000 for repeat offences · max. € 500,000 per company
Watch out for last-minute subcontractors
You cannot award a contract to a subcontractor on the same day and simultaneously expect them to be compliant. SIPSI notifications, A1s, and Carte BTP all take time. Plan subcontractor onboarding at least 2 weeks before work starts.
What about sub-subcontractors?
The subcontracting act (loi 75-1334) sets no statutory maximum on the number of subcontracting layers, but chain liability runs through all layers. The more layers, the greater the compliance challenge. Make sure you request from sub-subcontractors the same documents you require from your direct subcontractor.
→ Full checklist for work in France — including contracts with subcontractors
Multiple subcontractors going to France?
WorkAdministration helps you organise compliance across your entire chain — from SIPSI to Carte BTP to chain documentation.
More about subcontracting
Get in touch
This article is based on the Code du travail and official sources (as of: July 2026). It constitutes general information and not legal advice. Regulations may change; if in doubt, consult a specialist adviser.
Request a quote · Read more on WorkAdministration.com