Peppol

What exactly is e-invoicing?

An e-invoice isn’t just a digital copy of a paper invoice. It’s a structured file, usually in XML format, that software systems can read automatically.

Instead of manually entering invoice details, your accounting or invoicing system can directly import, check, and process all the data. This saves time and ensures that every invoice is in the correct format — no more typos or mismatched VAT numbers.

What is Peppol?

Belgium has chosen a system called Peppol to manage e-invoicing.

Peppol (short for Pan-European Public Procurement Online) is a secure network used across Europe for exchanging invoices and other business documents. When two companies are both connected to Peppol, they can send and receive invoices directly — safely, automatically, and in the right format.

Think of it like an email network, but just for official, structured invoices. Once you’re connected, you can send an invoice to any other company on the network without having to worry about different software or formats.

What does this mean for Belgian businesses?

From 2026 onwards:

• All B2B invoices between Belgian companies must be sent via Peppol.

• PDF invoices or invoices sent by email won’t count as valid electronic invoices.

• Your invoicing or accounting tool must be able to create and send Peppol-compliant invoices.

The good news? Once set up, it actually makes invoicing easier — no manual sending, fewer mistakes, and faster payment processing.

Getting ready doesn’t have to be complicated

If you already use an invoicing tool, check whether it’s Peppol-ready. That means it can send and receive structured e-invoices automatically.

Some tools are already built to make this transition seamless. For example, Estica is a simple invoicing platform designed for recurring invoices and full Peppol compatibility. You just set up your invoice once, and Estica handles the rest — automatically, correctly, and on time.

Start today for free