Electronic invoicing is no longer just a convenience — it is becoming a legal requirement in Belgium. Starting in 2026, Belgian businesses will be required to exchange structured electronic invoices through the Peppol network for B2B transactions. If your business is still sending PDF invoices by email, now is the time to prepare.
What Is Peppol?
Peppol (Pan-European Public Procurement Online) is an international network that allows businesses and governments to exchange standardised electronic documents — including invoices, orders, and credit notes — in a secure, structured format. Rather than a PDF attachment that a human reads, a Peppol invoice is a machine-readable XML file that goes directly into your customer's accounting software.
In Belgium, Peppol is managed through the HERMES platform operated by the federal government, and Belgian businesses can access it through accredited Peppol Access Points.
Why Is Belgium Making It Mandatory?
The Belgian government is aligning with the EU's VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) initiative, which aims to modernise VAT reporting, reduce fraud, and simplify cross-border trade. The mandatory structured e-invoicing requirement is part of this broader European shift.
What Does This Mean for Your Business?
- You will need to be able to send structured electronic invoices to your Belgian B2B customers
- You will also need to be able to receive structured invoices from suppliers
- PDF invoices sent by email will no longer be compliant for B2B transactions within Belgium
- Your invoicing software must support the UBL (Universal Business Language) format used on the Peppol network
How VisiSupport Makes This Easy
All VisiSupport SaaS plans include full Peppol e-invoicing support via Odoo 18. Our platform is pre-configured for the Belgian Peppol network, supports the UBL 2.1 format, and handles BTW/TVA compliance automatically. You can send and receive Peppol invoices directly from your VisiSupport environment with no additional setup required.
If you are currently using a different accounting tool that is not Peppol-ready, we can help you migrate to a platform that is — before the deadline arrives.
Get in touch at [email protected] or explore our services.
