Peppol offers many benefits, but it also raises questions. How does it work exactly? What do I need to connect? Is it mandatory?
In these Frequently Asked Questions, you will find clear and practical answers to the most common questions about Peppol, from connection to usage and regulations. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to make the most of Peppol for your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions – General Information About Peppol
What is e-invoicing
E-invoicing is the electronic creation, sending, and receiving of invoices between suppliers and customers, without any paper intervention.
What is Peppol and what is it used for?
Peppol is a secure and standardized network for the electronic exchange of business documents, such as invoices and orders. It is used worldwide by businesses and governments to collaborate more efficiently and securely.
Who manages and maintains the Peppol network?
Peppol is centrally managed by OpenPeppol, an international non-profit organization. In each country, Peppol Authorities oversee compliance with agreements and standards, ensuring that Service Providers, who technically maintain the network, facilitate seamless document exchange between organizations connected to the Peppol network.
Is Peppol mandatory in countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium?
In the Netherlands, Peppol is not mandatory, but the government encourages the use of e-invoicing via Peppol.
In Belgium, e-invoicing via Peppol will be mandatory for Business-to-Government (B2G) invoices from January 1, 2025.
From January 1, 2026, e-invoicing via Peppol will also be mandatory for Business-to-Business (B2B) invoices.
Is Peppol only available in Europe?
Although Peppol originated in Europe, the network has expanded globally and is being used in an increasing number of countries.
What are the advantages of Peppol compared to e-mail and PDF-invoices?
An e-invoice via Peppol is a structured document that is both readable and processable by software systems. An e-invoice contains structured data but no formatting, allowing it to be easily imported into any software environment while maintaining the software’s own look and feel. Since no interpretation of the data is required, the information received in an e-invoice is 100% identical to what was sent by the issuer.
A PDF invoice is an unstructured document, where the information and formatting cannot be separated—similar to paper invoices. Because the sender has the freedom to place information anywhere on the invoice, a human or scan-and-recognition tool is needed to locate, extract, and process the information. This requires additional steps, increasing the risk of errors such as misreading, incorrect scanning, or manual entry mistakes.
In summary, e-invoicing is more reliable than invoicing via a PDF document.
What are the advantages of Peppol for businesses?
Peppol provides a fast, standardized way to exchange e-invoices and other business documents. This reduces the risk of errors, speeds up payments, and enhances the reliability of your administration. Additionally, it ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, such as e-invoicing mandates.
How safe is Peppol and how is data protected?
Peppol uses encrypted connections and controlled Access Points, ensuring that documents cannot be intercepted or tampered with. Only accredited parties are allowed to participate.
Can I use Peppol as a small business owner or self-employed person?
Yes, Peppol is suitable for businesses of all sizes, including freelancers and small entrepreneurs. Various service providers offer simple solutions, such as sending portals or pricing models tailored to businesses with low volumes.
Find the right Peppol provider for your business through our Overview of Peppol Providers.
How much does it cost to use Peppol?
The costs vary per Peppol Service Provider. Some offer free basic services, while others charge subscriptions or transaction fees.
Find the right Peppol provider for your business through our Overview of Peppol Providers.
How does Peppol work technically?
Peppol uses a model where businesses communicate with each other via their own Access Point. The Service Providers offering these Access Points ensure a standardized and secure method of document exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions – Connecting to Peppol
How can I connect my company to Peppol
You connect your business through a Peppol Service Provider, who registers your company and assigns a Peppol ID.
For more information visit the Connecting to Peppol page
Do I need a Peppol ID and how do I get one?
Yes, a Peppol ID is required to send and receive documents. You will receive this automatically upon registration through a Peppol Service Provider.
For more information, visit the Connecting to Peppol page.
Can I use Peppol without an ERP-system?
Yes, there are simple solutions, such as online invoicing tools that support Peppol, without requiring an ERP system.
Find the right solution for your business through our Overview of Peppol Providers.
Do I have to choose a Peppol Service Provider, and where do I need to pay attention to?
No, that’s why we refer to Peppol Providers. There are software providers that have integrated Peppol connectivity or are Peppol Ready. In these cases, they have already chosen a Peppol Service Provider on the backend, allowing you to activate a Peppol connection through them.
However, depending on your specific business needs, you may require a solution beyond the standard integration offered by your software provider. In such cases, you can also turn to software integration providers or Peppol Service Providers for more tailored solutions.
Be sure to consider costs, ease of use, support, and additional features you may need. For more details, visit the How should I start using Peppol? page.
Find the right solution for your business through our Overview of Peppol Providers.
What is the difference between a Peppol Access Point and a softwareprovider with Peppol-integration?
A Peppol Access Point is the direct connection to the network. A software provider with Peppol integration offers invoicing software where Peppol is already built-in.
Frequently Asked Questions – Using Peppol
How do I know if my business partner is already connected to the Peppol network?
You can look this up in the Peppol address book, which lists registered businesses.
Can I send e-invoices cross-border?
Yes, Peppol is used worldwide and supports international invoicing.
Which file formats does Peppol support?
Peppol uses the UBL (Universal Business Language) format for e-invoices and other documents. Within this UBL standard, Peppol applies a specific sub-standard for documents exchanged over the Peppol network, known as Peppol BIS.
For the Dutch market, it is important to note that the Peppol network also supports NL CIUS, ensuring compliance with legal requirements when sending e-invoices to the Dutch government.
Additionally, several sector-specific standards have now been approved for exchange over the Peppol network.
Does Peppol only support invoices, or also other documents such as orders?
In addition to invoices, Peppol also supports message types such as orders, purchase orders, dispatch advices, and receipt acknowledgments.
What happens if my customer or supplier does not support Peppol?
You can invite them to use Peppol and refer them to Peppol.nu for information on e-invoicing and Peppol. Since we provide a central overview of Peppol providers, it increases the likelihood that your customer or supplier will take concrete steps to explore Peppol. To assist you, we have prepared a template message:
[Salutation]
We [send | receive | send and receive] our invoices via Peppol, a secure and internationally recognized network for electronic invoicing. This ensures that invoices can be delivered directly into your system without manual processing.
Why Peppol?
✅ Faster and more efficient – Invoices are processed digitally in real time.
✅ Secure and reliable – No risk of fraud or lost invoices.
✅ Widely accepted – Suitable for both businesses and governments.
Would you like to learn more about Peppol and how to connect? You can find all the information on Peppol.nu:
➡️ What is e-invoicing?
➡️ What is Peppol?
➡️ How do I start using Peppol?
➡️ Overview of Peppol Providers
We are already using Peppol with great satisfaction. If you’re curious about our experiences or have any questions, feel free to reach out!
Best regards,
[Your Name / Company Name]
Can my company in Europe collaborate with companies in other countries that are connected to Peppol?
Yes, Peppol is designed to promote cross-border interoperability, allowing businesses within the network to seamlessly exchange electronic documents, both within and outside Europe.
Which regions are the next big players for Peppol?
Latin America and Africa are considered emerging markets for Peppol due to their growing interest in e-invoicing and digital trade based on open standards and accessible solutions, rather than outdated and costly EDI technology.
Frequently Asked Questions – Regulations and Compliance
Why are direction, management and supervision necessary for Peppol?
Governance, management, and oversight ensure that the network remains reliable, allowing users to trust secure and standardized processes in digital business transactions.
What is the role of the Open Peppol AISBL association?
OpenPeppol is the non-profit organization that manages the global standards and legal framework of Peppol. National authorities, such as the NPa, implement these standards and adapt them to their local needs. Together, they ensure a reliable and globally interoperable network.
How is abuse prevented within Peppol?
All Peppol Service Providers must comply with strict compliance requirements. The national Peppol Authority – or OpenPeppol in the absence of a national authority – oversees adherence to these compliance standards. Additionally, any misuse can be reported to the national Peppol Authority.
For more information, visit the Peppol Oversight page.
How do I know if my Peppol Service Provider is reliable?
Check with the Peppol Authority to verify if the provider is a recognized Peppol Access Point, and review customer feedback and certifications.
What does NPa certification mean for my supplier (Peppol Service Provider)?
A certified Peppol Service Provider meets strict requirements, ensuring a secure and seamless connection to the Peppol network via their Access Point.
What are the Peppol Authority Specific Rules? (PASR)
The Peppol Authority Specific Rules (PASR) are regulations established by each Peppol Authority to ensure uniformity and security within their jurisdiction.
In the Netherlands, the PASR includes specific requirements, such as mandatory ISO 27001 certification, contributing to a higher standard of security and reliability.
Why does the NPa require ISO 27001 certification?
The Dutch Peppol Authority is the first in the world to introduce this requirement. ISO 27001 certification ensures that Peppol Service Providers comply with the strictest information security standards, which is essential for protecting sensitive data and minimizing risks in digital transactions.
What are the obligations regarding e-invoicing and Peppol in the Netherlands and Belgium?
In the Netherlands, Peppol is not mandatory, but the government only accepts e-invoices.
In Belgium, Business-to-Government (B2G) e-invoicing via Peppol is mandatory since January 1st, 2025. Additionally, from January 1, 2026, Business-to-Business (B2B) e-invoicing via Peppol will also become mandatory.
Is Peppol only for government, or also for B2B use?
Peppol is used for both B2G (Business-to-Government) and B2B (Business-to-Business) transactions.
How can I ask a question or file a complaint with the Netherlands Peppol Authority?
The Dutch Peppol Authority (NPa) is responsible for the governance and management of the Peppol network in the Netherlands. You can contact them for more information. The available contact methods are clearly listed on the Dutch Peppol Authority’s contact page.
➡️ Go to the contact page
For support inquiries and complaints, you can fill out the support request form.
➡️ Go to the support request form
How does Peppol adoption work outside Europe?
The adoption of Peppol outside Europe is often driven by national governments and large enterprises that prioritize the digitalization of trade and invoicing. Countries such as Singapore and Australia have established a strong infrastructure to rapidly integrate the network.
Frequently Asked Questions – Support and Troubleshooting
I have a problem with Peppol, who can I contact?
Contact your Peppol Provider. If it concerns a network issue, you can also consult the Peppol Authority in your country.
What should I do if an invoice via Peppol does not arrive?
First, check the status in your invoicing system, and contact your Peppol Provider for further support.
Can I use Peppol if I already have an existing invoicing tool?
Yes, this is possible. Many invoicing tools offer Peppol integration. Check with your software provider to see if this feature is available.
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