Starting in 2026, Belgium will require all businesses to use Peppol for their e-invoicing processes. This move aligns with broader European initiatives to standardize e-invoicing and reduce administrative burdens. But what does this mean for your business, and how can you prepare?
What is Peppol?
Peppol (Pan-European Public Procurement Online) is a set of standards and protocols that enables electronic document exchange between businesses across borders. It's not a platform or software itself, but rather a network and standardized approach for exchanging business documents.
The key benefits of Peppol include:
- Standardized format for invoices and other business documents
- Secure transmission between trading partners
- Cross-border compatibility
- Reduced processing time and costs
- Improved accuracy and compliance
Belgium's 2026 Peppol Mandate
As part of Belgium's digital transformation strategy, all businesses will be required to send and receive invoices electronically via the Peppol network by 2026. This applies to business-to-government (B2G) and business-to-business (B2B) transactions.
The mandate is being implemented in phases:
- 2023-2024: Voluntary adoption period with incentives
- 2025: Mandatory for large enterprises and government contractors
- 2026: Mandatory for all businesses
How to Prepare Your Business
Getting ready for Peppol compliance requires planning and potentially updating your systems. Here are the key steps to take:
1. Assess Your Current Invoicing Process
Understand how your business currently handles invoicing and identify what needs to change to comply with Peppol standards. Consider factors like document formats, transmission methods, and archiving requirements.
2. Choose Your Peppol Access Point
To connect to the Peppol network, you'll need a certified Peppol Access Point provider. This provider will handle the technical aspects of sending and receiving documents via Peppol. When selecting a provider, consider:
- Integration options with your existing systems
- Support for different document types
- Pricing structure
- Technical support and service level agreements
- Experience and reputation
3. Update Your Software
Your accounting or ERP software will need to support Peppol document formats (primarily UBL). Many modern systems already have this capability or offer it as an add-on. If yours doesn't, you may need to:
- Upgrade to a newer version
- Add a Peppol-compatible module
- Use a middleware solution
- Consider alternatives like Recommand's Peppol API
4. Train Your Team
Ensure your accounting and finance teams understand the new processes. This includes:
- How to create and send Peppol-compliant invoices
- How to receive and process incoming e-invoices
- Troubleshooting common issues
- Understanding the legal requirements
How Recommand Can Help
As a certified Peppol Access Point provider, Recommand offers a simple and developer-friendly solution for Peppol compliance. Our API makes it easy to integrate Peppol capabilities into your existing software, with additional features like:
- AI-powered conversion of legacy invoice formats to Peppol
- Intuitive dashboard for monitoring invoices
- Open-source implementation for maximum transparency
By starting your Peppol journey now, you'll be well ahead of the 2026 deadline and can benefit from improved efficiency and reduced costs even before compliance becomes mandatory.
Next Steps
Ready to prepare for Peppol compliance? Contact our team to discuss how Recommand can help your business make a smooth transition to Peppol e-invoicing.