Required certification · France
Qualibat
Qualification et certification des entreprises du bâtiment, dont la mention RGE
Market position
Qualibat is a French qualification and certification body for building firms, founded in 1949 as an association loi 1901. It says it has qualified 53,000 companies, offers more than 320 qualifications and has 35 local agencies. Qualification is voluntary, but Qualibat is one of the bodies approved to award the RGE mention that homeowners need to claim energy-renovation aid.
France-specific note
A Qualibat qualification is voluntary, but it lets clients check your competence in a public directory and is a route to the RGE mention, which your homeowner clients need for MaPrimeRénov', CEE or éco-PTZ funding.
Pros
- + Recognised qualification checked by an independent body
- + Can add the RGE mention for energy-renovation aid
- + Published fee grid
- + Public directory where clients can find qualified firms
Cons
- − Voluntary: not a legal requirement to trade
- − Instruction, annual certificate and audit fees
- − RGE needs Feebat training and a site audit within 24 months
- − Renewal needed: trade qualifications run for 4 years
Typical France pricing
Published fees, 2026 (excl. VAT): 257.50 euros initial instruction per activity; annual certificate from 97.50 euros (up to 5 people) to 1,435 euros; RGE mention 44.17 euros; RGE site audit 330 euros. Qualibat's example: about 250 euros a year for a 5-employee masonry firm.
Why this matters for France trades
Since 1 September 2026 every French business must be able to receive B2B e-invoices through a plateforme agréée registered by the State (CGI art. 289 bis), and PME, TPE and micro-entreprises must issue them by 1 September 2027; DGFiP says no sanctions apply in 2026 while businesses adapt. Assurance décennale (Loi Spinetta) must be in place before work starts, and building without it is punishable by 6 months’ imprisonment and/or a 75,000 euro fine, per service-public.fr. TVA on building work on homes is 20% standard, 10% for improvement, transformation, fitting-out and maintenance, and 5.5% for energy renovation, with the reduced rates only for dwellings completed more than two years ago. Clients can only claim MaPrimeRénov’, the éco-PTZ or CEE bonuses if the work is done by an RGE professional. Businesses register through the Guichet des formalités des entreprises, with the CMA advising artisans, and regulated building trades must be carried out or controlled by a qualified person (CAP, BEP or BP, an equivalent RNCP title, or three years’ experience).
French artisan (bâtiment) vendor selection is shaped by facturation électronique (every business must be able to receive e-invoices through a plateforme agréée since 1 September 2026, and PME, TPE and micro-entreprises must issue them by 1 September 2027), compulsory assurance décennale taken out before work starts, multi-rate TVA (20%, 10% and 5.5%), the RGE label that homeowner clients need to claim energy-renovation aid, and the micro-entrepreneur regime with its turnover ceilings and VAT franchise.
Frequently asked
Is Qualibat a good fit for France trades?
Qualibat is a French qualification and certification body for building firms, founded in 1949 as an association loi 1901. It says it has qualified 53,000 companies, offers more than 320 qualifications and has 35 local agencies. Qualification is voluntary, but Qualibat is one of the bodies approved to award the RGE mention that homeowners need to claim energy-renovation aid. A Qualibat qualification is voluntary, but it lets clients check your competence in a public directory and is a route to the RGE mention, which your homeowner clients need for MaPrimeRénov', CEE or éco-PTZ funding.
What does Qualibat cost in France?
Published fees, 2026 (excl. VAT): 257.50 euros initial instruction per activity; annual certificate from 97.50 euros (up to 5 people) to 1,435 euros; RGE mention 44.17 euros; RGE site audit 330 euros. Qualibat's example: about 250 euros a year for a 5-employee masonry firm. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current France pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Other France vendors
Facturation électronique (e-invoicing)
Required certification
Assurance décennale (Loi Spinetta)
Required certification
RGE (Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement)
Required certification
TVA bâtiment (20 / 10 / 5,5 %)
Required certification
URSSAF & régime micro-entrepreneur
Required certification
Immatriculation CMA (guichet unique / RNE)
Required certification