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What is Peppol

Peppol is the official European network for electronic invoicing. Introduced in 2019 for public procurement, it is transforming how businesses exchange invoices across Europe by enforcing a standard format, stronger security, and full interoperability.

Invoicing in Europe is undergoing a major transformation. Since 18 April 2019, all central public administrations in the European Union have been required to accept electronic invoices that comply with the EN 16931 standard. To ensure that invoicing systems across all member states can communicate with one another, the EU has implemented Peppol, a common infrastructure that is now the reference standard for secure, reliable, and compliant invoicing.

1. Why Peppol is changing invoicing in Europe

Before Peppol, each company had to create its own connections to exchange electronic invoices, often in different and non-standardized formats. This led to high costs, delays, and significant risks of errors.

With Peppol, a single standard applies to everyone. This change allows:

  • Structured invoicing that is legally recognized throughout the European Union,

  • An end to multiple and incompatible formats,

  • Better automation and full traceability of transactions.

This is not just a technical evolution, it is a structural transformation of invoicing in the European Union.

2. How Peppol works in practice

  1. The company registers with an accredited Access Point.

  2. It receives a unique identifier called Peppol ID.

  3. It issues its invoices through its Access Point in the EN 16931 format.

  4. The network automatically identifies the recipient and delivers the invoice securely, traceably, and in compliance with the standard.

Peppol acts as a single transmission channel connecting all invoicing systems across the European Union.

3. What this changes for businesses

The introduction of Peppol has a direct impact on all businesses subject to electronic invoicing, whether in B2G (companies invoicing public entities) or B2B (companies invoicing other businesses).

This means that:

  • Companies must use a Peppol-compatible system to invoice certain public clients and, in many countries, soon also their private clients.

  • PDF or Excel formats alone will no longer be sufficient. Invoices must be issued in a structured electronic format recognized at the European level.

  • Even small businesses, such as online shops, will be affected as soon as they invoice other companies or public administrations.


Concrete example

Imagine an online store selling products to both individuals and businesses:

  • When invoicing a public administration, it must use the Peppol format for the invoice to be accepted.

  • When invoicing another business in a country where mandatory B2B e-invoicing is being rolled out (such as Belgium starting in 2026), it will also have to use Peppol.

  • When invoicing an individual, it may continue using its current methods since individuals are not subject to this requirement.


In practice, this means that even a small business will need to adapt its invoicing system to remain compliant and continue invoicing its professional clients.

 

4. Why using a Peppol-compatible billing tool makes the difference

One of Peppol’s main advantages is that it removes technical complexity for businesses. But to fully benefit from it, it is essential to use an invoicing tool that can communicate directly with the network.

A Peppol-compatible software makes it possible to:

  • Generate invoices that comply with the European standard without additional manual processing

  • Send and receive invoices directly through the Peppol network

  • Automate legal compliance without managing technical aspects yourself

  • Track invoice status in real time (sending, receiving, processing)

  • Secure exchanges with public administrations and businesses across all member states

Our solution, CommBilling, fits into this dynamic. Although currently in the Peppol certification process, it is designed to integrate this functionality as soon as official validation is completed. This will allow users to meet European requirements without technical complexity, while continuing to invoice their public and private clients in full compliance.

 
This means that companies using CommBilling will be able to continue invoicing their public or private clients freely within the European Union while remaining compliant with the new regulations.

 
 

Peppol is not an option but the European standard for electronic invoicing. Introduced in 2019 for public procurement, it is progressively extending to the private sector. This evolution affects large enterprises, SMEs, freelancers, and online merchants alike, as soon as they invoice professional clients. For users of an invoicing application, adopting a Peppol-compatible solution like CommBilling ensures compliance, efficiency, and readiness for the upcoming regulatory changes in Europe.