Starting January 1, 2026, all Belgian businesses will be required to exchange e-invoices via the Peppol network. This measure is part of a broader digitalization effort aimed at reducing administrative burdens, combating fraud, and modernizing business collaboration.
But what exactly does this obligation entail? And how can you best prepare your business?
What is Peppol?
Peppol (Pan-European Public Procurement Online) is not a software or platform, but a set of international agreements, standards, and infrastructure for the secure and structured exchange of business documents — such as invoices, orders, and order confirmations.
Peppol allows you to communicate directly with other businesses or governments without sending documents by email or processing them manually.
The advantages of Peppol:
- Uniform format (UBL) for e-invoices and other documents
- Secure transmission between accredited parties
- Faster processing and fewer errors
- Less fraud and more transparency
- Automation of manual accounting processes
The Peppol Obligation in Belgium by 2026
As part of Belgium’s digital transformation strategy, all companies will be required by 2026 to send and receive invoices electronically via the Peppol network. This applies to both business-to-government (B2G) and business-to-business (B2B) transactions.
How to prepare your business
1. Analyze your current invoicing process
Examine how you currently send invoices and process incoming ones. Do you use email? PDFs? Custom software? Assess what’s needed to transition to UBL documents and automated processing.
2. Choose a Peppol Access Point
To send and receive via Peppol, you need a certified Peppol Service Provider. They handle the network connection and take care of validation, security, and delivery.
Pay attention to:
- Support for both sending and receiving
- Integration with your existing tools
- Transparent pricing without hidden fees
- Experience and reliable support
3. Ensure your software supports Peppol
Your ERP, accounting, or invoicing software must be able to generate and process UBL files. Many Belgian solutions already do or offer it as an add-on. If your software doesn’t, you can:
- Look for an existing integration
- Have one built
- Build your own using a Peppol API like Recommand's
4. Train your team
Make sure your accounting and finance teams understand the new processes, such as:
- How to create and send Peppol-compliant invoices
- How to receive and process incoming e-invoices
- Communication with accounting
- Understanding legal requirements
How Recommand Can Help
Recommand is a certified Peppol Access Point, built for companies that want to retain control over their processes.
We offer:
- An open-source API that easily integrates with your existing software
- A user-friendly dashboard to track sent and received documents
- Full transparency on how your data is processed
- Affordable and scalable plans
Whether you build your own software, work with external developers, or want a simple solution: Recommand helps you become Peppol compliant at your own pace — without changing the way you work.
Next Steps
Ready to prepare for Peppol? Contact our team to discuss how Recommand can help your business transition smoothly to Peppol e-invoicing.