E-invoicing is mandatory since 2026: what do you need to do?
Since 1 January 2026, Belgian businesses must exchange invoices with other Belgian businesses as structured e-invoices. In practice that means via Peppol. Here is what that means for you, in plain words.
Who has to do it?
Every business established in Belgium with a VAT number that invoices other Belgian VAT-registered businesses. That includes self-employed people, small companies and large ones.
Invoices to private persons are not covered: you can keep sending those as a PDF or on paper. A few special cases have exceptions, for example businesses with only VAT-exempt activities. If you are not sure, ask your accountant.
What is Peppol?
Peppol is a secure network that delivers invoices straight from one business’s software to another’s. It works a bit like email for invoices, but the invoice arrives as data that accounting software can read without anyone typing it over.
Isn’t a PDF by email enough?
No, not between Belgian businesses. A PDF is a picture of an invoice. The new rule asks for a structured e-invoice (the Peppol format), so a PDF by email no longer counts as a valid invoice to another Belgian business.
You also have to be able to receive
The rule works both ways. Your suppliers will send their invoices to you via Peppol, so you need to be reachable on the network too.
What if you do nothing?
Your business clients may refuse to pay an invoice that doesn’t meet the rule, and the tax authority can impose fines. It is easier to start now.
How to get started in four steps
- Check that you invoice other Belgian businesses.
- Choose software that sends and receives via Peppol, such as Faktuno.
- Get registered on Peppol. In Faktuno that happens for you once your identity check is done.
- Tell your accountant. Faktuno sends them all your sales and purchase invoices on the 1st of each month.