Frequently Asked Questions about Peppol
Peppol offers many advantages, but also raises questions. How exactly does it work? What do I need to connect? Is it mandatory? Here you will find clear and practical answers to the most common questions about Peppol.
From connection to usage and regulation — so you know exactly what to expect and how to get the most out of Peppol for your organisation.
General Questions
Essential knowledge about Peppol, e-invoicing and how the network works. The perfect starting point for new users.
Connecting & Using Peppol
Practical information about connecting to Peppol, Service Providers and day-to-day use.
Regulation & Compliance
Everything about legal requirements, obligations and compliance in the Netherlands, Belgium and Europe.
Quick Access
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everything you need to know about Peppol obligations and our services
E-invoicing is the electronic creation, sending and receiving of invoices between suppliers and customers, without paper-based intermediaries.
Peppol is a secure and standardised 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.
Peppol is centrally managed by OpenPeppol, an international non-profit organisation. In each country, Peppol Authorities oversee compliance with agreements and standards, so that Service Providers — who technically maintain the network — do so in a way that enables seamless document exchange between organisations connected to the Peppol network.
In the Netherlands, Peppol is not mandatory, but the government encourages the use of e-invoicing via Peppol. In Belgium, e-invoicing via Peppol has been mandatory for Business-to-Government (B2G) invoices since 1 January 2025. From 1 January 2026, e-invoicing via Peppol is also mandatory for Business-to-Business (B2B) invoices.
Although Peppol originated in Europe, the network has expanded globally and is being used in an increasing number of countries.
An e-invoice — via Peppol — is a structured document that is both human-readable and machine-processable. An e-invoice contains structure, but no formatting. This means it can easily be loaded into any software environment, because the software package can retain its own look and feel. Since no information needs to be interpreted, the information the recipient receives in an e-invoice is 100% identical to what the sender transmitted.
A PDF is an unstructured document where, just like paper invoices, information and formatting cannot be separated. Because the sender is free to place information anywhere on the invoice, a person or scan-and-recognition software must search for the data and then re-key it (manual) or read it in (scan software). A PDF therefore requires multiple intermediate steps to process an invoice — steps where the risk of errors is considerably higher.
In short, e-invoicing is more reliable than invoicing via PDF.
Peppol provides a fast, standardised way to exchange e-invoices and other business messages. This reduces the risk of errors, accelerates payments and improves the reliability of your administration. It also helps you comply with regulations such as e-invoicing mandates.
Peppol uses encrypted connections and controlled access points (Access Points), which means documents cannot be intercepted or tampered with. Only authorised parties can participate in the network.
Yes, Peppol is suitable for businesses of all sizes, including sole traders and small businesses. Various service providers offer simple solutions, such as sending portals or pricing models designed for organisations with low volumes.
Discover which Peppol provider suits your business in our Peppol Service Provider overview
Costs vary per Peppol Service Provider. Some offer free basic services, while others charge subscriptions or per-transaction fees.
Discover which Peppol provider suits your business in our Peppol Service Provider overview
Peppol uses a model in which businesses communicate with each other via their own Access Point. The Service Providers that offer these Access Points ensure a standardised and secure way of exchanging documents.
You connect your business via a Peppol Service Provider, who registers your business and assigns you a Peppol ID.
More information can be found on the Connecting to Peppol page
Yes, a Peppol ID is required to send and receive documents. You receive one automatically when you register with a Peppol Service Provider.
More information can be found on the Connecting to Peppol page
Yes, there are simple solutions such as online invoicing tools that support Peppol, without requiring an ERP system.
Discover which solution suits your business in our Peppol Service Provider overview
Not necessarily — that is why we speak of Peppol Providers. There are software vendors that have integrated Peppol connectivity or are Peppol Ready. In that case, they have already made the choice of a Peppol Service Provider on your behalf. You can then opt to have a Peppol connection activated through them.
It may be that your specific business situation requires a solution that goes beyond the standard integration offered by your software package. In that case, you can also turn to software integration specialists or Peppol Service Providers.
Pay attention to costs, ease of use, support and any additional features you may need. For more information, see the What do I need to use Peppol? page
Discover which solution suits your business in our Peppol Service Provider overview
A Peppol Access Point is the direct connection to the network. A software vendor with Peppol integration offers invoicing software in which Peppol is already built in.
You can look this up in the Peppol Directory, which lists registered businesses.
Yes, Peppol is used worldwide and supports international invoicing.
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.
There are also a number of sector-specific standards that may now be exchanged over the Peppol network. Read more on the Open Standards page
In addition to invoices, Peppol also supports purchase orders, order responses, despatch advice and receipt acknowledgements.
You can invite them to use Peppol and refer them to Peppol.now for information about e-invoicing and Peppol. Since we offer a central overview of Peppol providers, the chances of your customer or supplier taking concrete steps to explore Peppol are greater. To help you, we have drafted a template message:
Yes, Peppol is designed to promote cross-border interoperability, meaning businesses within the network can seamlessly exchange electronic documents both within and outside Europe.
Latin America and Africa are seen as emerging markets for Peppol due to their growing interest in e-invoicing and digital trade based on open standards and low-threshold solutions, rather than older, expensive EDI technology.
Governance, management and oversight ensure that the network remains reliable and that users can trust in secure and standardised processes when conducting digital business.
OpenPeppol is the non-profit organisation that manages the global standards and legal framework of Peppol. National authorities implement these standards and adapt them to local needs. Together, they ensure a reliable and globally interoperable network.
All Peppol Service Providers must comply with strict compliance requirements. The national Peppol Authority — or OpenPeppol in the absence of a national authority — oversees compliance with these requirements. In addition, misuse can be reported to the national Peppol Authority.
Check with the Peppol Authority whether the provider is a recognised Peppol Access Point, and look at customer reviews and certifications.
A certified Peppol Service Provider meets strict requirements, ensuring you have a secure and seamless connection to the Peppol network via their Access Point.
Peppol Authority Specific Requirements (PASR) are rules established by each Peppol Authority to ensure uniformity and security within their jurisdiction. These contribute to a higher standard of security and reliability for the national Peppol ecosystem.
In Belgium, Business-to-Government (B2G) e-invoicing via Peppol has been mandatory since 2025. Moreover, from 1 January 2026, Belgium requires e-invoicing via Peppol for Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions.
Peppol is used for both B2G (Business-to-Government) and B2B (Business-to-Business) transactions.
Adoption outside Europe is often driven by national governments and large organisations that prioritise the digitalisation of trade and invoicing. Countries such as Singapore and Australia have established strong infrastructure to integrate the network rapidly.
Contact your Peppol Service Provider. If the issue relates to the network itself, you can also consult the Peppol Authority in your country.
First check the status in your invoicing system, then contact your Peppol Service Provider for further assistance.
This is possible. Many invoicing tools offer Peppol integration. Check with your software vendor whether this is available.
Can't find your question?
Do you have a specific question about Peppol that is not covered here? Feel free to contact us for personalised advice, or visit our extensive knowledge base for more in-depth information.
Peppol.now - Your guide in the world of electronic invoicing
