Selling in Québec: what the French language rules require from foreign companies
In short: In Québec, French is the official language of commerce and business. The Charter of the French Language, strengthened by Bill 96 in 2022, covers the language of products, websites, contracts, invoices and signage. New trademark rules have applied since June 1, 2025. For a European company, this is not a barrier if you prepare early: it is mostly a matter of organisation.
Why it matters before your first sale
French is the mother tongue of more than three quarters of Quebecers. Your buyers expect to read your offer, documents and contracts in French. A company that arrives with a French website, data sheet and proposal starts ahead of competitors who only provide English.
It is also a legal requirement. The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) enforces the Charter, handles complaints and can take legal action.
What must be in French
Products and their documentation
Every inscription on a product offered in Québec, on its container or packaging, must be in French. This also covers accompanying documents: instructions, warranty certificates, safety sheets. Another language may appear alongside, but not more prominently than French.
Websites, catalogues and brochures
Your catalogues, brochures, commercial directories and website must be available in French. An English or other-language version is allowed, but the French version must be accessible on terms at least as favourable.
Contracts
Contracts of adhesion (standard terms the customer does not negotiate): you must provide the French version before signature. The parties may then choose to be bound in another language, as long as the customer first received the French version.
Negotiated contracts: they can be drafted in another language if that is the express wish of the parties.
Invoices, receipts and purchase orders
They must be in French. A bilingual version is accepted.
Public signage and trademarks
Since June 1, 2025, two changes directly affect foreign companies:
On products, a trademark in another language is accepted without translation only if it is registered and no French version exists. Generic or descriptive terms it contains must also appear in French.
On signage visible from outside a premises, when a trademark is in another language, French must be markedly predominant.
Francization
A company with 25 or more employees in Québec must register with the OQLF and follow a francization process. The threshold was 50 employees before June 2025. For a company testing the market with a small team, this obligation comes later.
How to prepare without delaying your entry
Take inventory of what your Québec customers will see: website, product sheets, packaging, terms and conditions, invoice and proposal templates.
Prioritise what drives sales: home page, product pages, data sheet and proposal template come first.
Use professional Québec translators. Québec French has its own usage, especially for technical and commercial terms. A translation done in Europe is easy to spot.
Check your trademarks and packaging before producing stock for Canada, not after.
Have special cases reviewed by a lawyer familiar with Québec law: the exact scope of the rules depends on your situation, for example whether you have an establishment in Québec or sell to consumers rather than businesses.
French as a commercial advantage for European companies
For a Belgian, French or Swiss company, Québec is the most natural gateway to North America: your teams already speak the buyers' language. Adjustments are still needed (vocabulary, a more direct tone, local references), but they are much lighter than for a company that does not speak French.
Frequently asked questions
Can my website stay in English if I only sell to businesses?
The Charter covers commerce in general, not just consumer sales. Even in B2B, Québec buyers expect a French version. In practice, a French website clearly improves your chances of getting a first meeting.
Can I use my English trademark in Québec?
Yes, if it is registered and no French version has been registered. Since June 2025, generic or descriptive words that accompany the trademark on the product must also appear in French.
Do my prospecting emails have to be in French?
The law mainly covers commercial documents, products and contracts. For prospecting, it is a matter of effectiveness: a first message in French generally gets better results with Québec decision-makers.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a lawyer or the Office québécois de la langue française.
SPAK helps European companies grow their sales in Québec: market validation, B2B prospecting and sales structure. Discover our approach or book a free consultation.
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