Sign an amicable termination agreement online, in 2 minutes
Amicable termination agreement of the employment contract between an employer and an employee, signed electronically with the same legal value as a paper agreement. Compliant with Articles L1237-11 et seq. of the Labour Code (labour market modernization law of 25 June 2008) and the eIDAS regulation — advanced signature recommended, 15-day withdrawal period, DREETS approval within 15 business days.
- Legal framework
- Art. L1237-11 Labour Code
- Signature level
- AES eIDAS recommended
- Legal archiving
- 5 years (prescription)
What is an amicable termination agreement?
An amicable termination agreement is a friendly way to terminate an indefinite-term employment contract (CDI), created by the law of 25 June 2008 and governed by Articles L1237-11 to L1237-16 of the Labour Code. It requires mutual agreement between employer and employee, formalized by a termination agreement signed by both parties. The agreement opens a 15-day calendar withdrawal period for each party, then must be approved by DREETS (formerly DIRECCTE) within 15 business days. Absent objection, approval is automatic and the contract is terminated on the agreed date. The employee receives a specific amicable termination indemnity (at least equal to legal severance) and unemployment benefits (subject to Pôle Emploi conditions).
Why sign the amicable termination agreement electronically?
Identical legal value
Article 1366 of the Civil Code recognizes electronic documents as having the same evidentiary force as paper documents. DREETS and courts accept electronically signed agreements, provided the identification of parties and document integrity are guaranteed. No provision of the Labour Code requires a handwritten signature for an amicable termination agreement.
Timestamped withdrawal period
The 15-day withdrawal period begins the day after signature. Advanced signature (AES) timestamps the exact moment of signature, making the deadline computation enforceable to the day — useful in case of disputes over procedure regularity.
Legal archiving included
The termination agreement must be producible for 5 years (labour dispute prescription period). Certyneo archives the signed agreement and its eIDAS audit trail throughout this period, accessible with one click from your dashboard.
Enforceable eIDAS audit trail
Each agreement is delivered with a proof PDF: identity of signatories (employer + employee), qualified timestamp, SHA-256 hash, IP geolocation, SMS OTP verification. Enforceable before the labour court in case of disputes over consent, withdrawal period or indemnity.
Sign an amicable termination agreement in 4 steps
From initial meeting to DREETS approval, in less than 5 minutes for signing.
1. Prepare the agreement
Use Cerfa Form No. 14598*01 (downloadable from service-public.fr) or a template compliant with art. L1237-11: party identities, specific indemnity, contract end date, mention of 15-day withdrawal period.
2. Add the signatories
Employer (legal representative or authorized person) + employee. The agreement must also be signed following at least one initial meeting. Each receives a personalized secure link by email.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced signature (AES) recommended for the amicable termination agreement: identity verification by SMS OTP, unique certificate per signatory, qualified timestamp. Precise timestamp is critical for computing the withdrawal period.
4. Sign, wait 15 days, submit to DREETS
Each signatory signs from their phone. The withdrawal period runs for 15 calendar days. Then submit the signed agreement to DREETS via the TéléRC online procedure for approval within 15 business days.
Frequently asked questions
- Can an amicable termination agreement be signed electronically?
- Yes, without restriction. The Labour Code does not require a handwritten signature. Article 1366 of the Civil Code gives electronic signatures the same value as paper signatures. DREETS has accepted electronically signed agreements via the TéléRC online procedure since 2019, provided party authentication is guaranteed.
- Which signature level to choose: SES, AES or QES?
- For an amicable termination agreement, advanced signature (AES) is the recommended standard. It provides enhanced presumption of reliability through identity verification (SMS OTP) and unique certificate per signatory — useful given the financial (indemnity) and legal (waiver of dismissal) stakes. SES (simple signature) is acceptable but undersized.
- How does the 15-day withdrawal period work?
- The 15-day calendar period runs from the day after the agreement is signed by both parties. During this period, each party may withdraw by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or by any means providing proof of date. Advanced electronic signature timestamps the signature precisely, securing the deadline calculation.
- Is an initial meeting mandatory?
- Yes — Article L1237-12 of the French Labor Code requires at least one preliminary meeting between the employer and employee, during which the terms of the termination are discussed. The employee may be assisted (employee representative or personnel representative). This meeting may precede or follow the signing of the agreement.
- What is the specific severance indemnity for mutual termination?
- At least equal to the legal severance indemnity (1/4 month per year of service for the first 10 years, 1/3 thereafter — art. R1234-2 Labor Code). Collective agreements or a particular agreement may provide for a higher indemnity. It is paid on the contract end date set by the agreement.
- Is the employee entitled to unemployment benefits?
- Yes, subject to France Travail conditions (formerly Pôle emploi): having contributed for at least 6 months over the last 24 months, being registered as a job seeker, etc. Mutual termination entitles to unemployment benefits (ARE) just like dismissal, unlike resignation. This is the central advantage for the employee.
- How does the DREETS homologation process work?
- After the withdrawal period, the diligent party submits the agreement to DREETS via the TéléRC online procedure (dematerialized form). DREETS has 15 business days to verify the regularity of the procedure and the absence of consent defects. In the absence of a response, homologation is tacit. The electronically signed agreement is accepted by DREETS.
- Is an electronically signed agreement enforceable before the labor court?
- Yes — French labor case law unanimously recognizes eIDAS-compliant electronic signatures. Advanced signature (AES) benefits from the presumption of reliability (art. 1367 Civil Code): an electronically signed agreement is enforceable in the same way as a paper agreement, provided the eIDAS audit trail is produced in case of a dispute over consent or procedure.
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