FR · Expiry & renewal tracking
French construction ID card (carte BTP): track every card
Every employee carrying out building or public works in France must hold a professional identification card (carte BTP) issued by CIBTP France after the employer's declaration (Articles L. 8291-1 and R. 8293-1 of the Labour Code). It lasts for the contract; five years for agency and posted workers (Article R. 8292-3).
A professional identification card is issued by a national body to every employee carrying out building or public works for a company established in France or, in the case of a posting, for a company established outside France (Article L. 8291-1 of the French Labour Code). The rules cover employers established in France whose employees carry out, direct or organise work on a building or public works site, even occasionally, temporary-work agencies established in France, and employers established outside France that post employees to do this work (Article R. 8291-1).
On hiring, the employer sends an online declaration to the association CIBTP France to obtain the card (Article R. 8293-1). For each posted worker who does not hold a valid card when the posting starts, the employer established outside France makes a declaration to the same association (Article R. 8293-2). Until the card is issued, a provisional certificate that counts as the card is sent to the employer; it stops being valid no later than 72 hours after the card is delivered (Article R. 8294-2).
Validity depends on the employer. For employees of the employers referred to in the first paragraph of Article R. 8291-1, the card is valid for the duration of the employment contract or, for successive contracts, their total duration. For temporary agency workers of an agency established in France and for posted workers, it is valid for five years and is active only during assignments or posting periods (Article R. 8292-3).
At a glance
| Legal basis | French Labour Code, Articles L. 8291-1, L. 8291-2 and R. 8291-1 onwards |
|---|---|
| Issued by | The association CIBTP France, after the employer's online declaration (Art. R. 8293-1) |
| Employees of an employer established in France | Duration of the employment contract, or total duration of successive contracts (Art. R. 8292-3, 1°) |
| Temporary agency and posted workers | Five years; card active during assignments or posting (Art. R. 8292-3, 2°) |
| Provisional certificate | Expires no later than 72 hours after the card is delivered (Art. R. 8294-2) |
| Loss, theft, damage | Holder tells the employer within 24 hours; the card is invalidated (Art. R. 8294-3) |
| End of contract | Card handed to the employer, who sends it to CIBTP France for destruction (Art. R. 8294-4) |
Who is responsible?
The employer declares its employees to obtain the card (Articles R. 8293-1 and R. 8293-2); the law also provides for declaration by a user company that uses temporary workers (Article L. 8291-1). The cardholder must tell the employer within 24 hours if the card is damaged, lost or stolen (Article R. 8294-3).
If the deadline passes
If the declaration obligation is not met, the employer or, where applicable, the user company is liable to an administrative fine imposed by the administrative authority on a reasoned report from a labour inspector. The maximum is set per employee and is higher for a repeat breach within two years; the decision can be challenged before the administrative court (Article L. 8291-2).
When the contract or the validity ends
An employee of an employer referred to in the first paragraph of Article R. 8291-1 hands the card to the employer when the contract ends, so that it can be sent to CIBTP France and destroyed. A temporary agency worker or posted worker hands the card to the employer when its validity expires (Article R. 8294-4).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each employee and enter the end of their employment contract or, for temporary agency and posted workers, the end of the card's five-year validity as the expiry date.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself.
- Assign a responsible person, such as HR; emails arrive in each recipient's language.
- The employee can send a copy of the card through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- If the date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the carte BTP valid?
- For employees of an employer referred to in the first paragraph of Article R. 8291-1, for the duration of the employment contract or the total duration of successive contracts. For temporary agency and posted workers, five years, and the card is active only during assignments or postings (Article R. 8292-3).
- Who applies for the card?
- The employer, through an online declaration to CIBTP France on hiring (Article R. 8293-1); for a posted worker without a valid card, the employer established outside France (Article R. 8293-2).
- What if the card is lost or stolen?
- The holder tells the employer within 24 hours. Any card reported stolen, lost or seriously damaged is invalidated (Article R. 8294-3).
Sources
- French Labour Code, Article L. 8291-1 (Légifrance)
- French Labour Code, Article L. 8291-2 (Légifrance)
- French Labour Code, Title IX: professional ID card for construction workers, Articles R. 8291-1 to R. 8295-3-1 (Légifrance)
Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for carte BTP (French construction card)
A ready template for carte BTP (French construction card) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each carte BTP (French construction card) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each carte BTP (French construction card) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.