As of 1 January 2026, structured electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) will become mandatory for all B2B transactions between Belgian companies that are subject to VAT. In other words, your company will have to send and receive electronic invoices in a specific format via the Peppol network.
Peppol was developed to streamline and secure the exchange of electronic invoices within the European Union. But what about foreign clients or suppliers? We’ll explain it all in this article!
Electronic invoicing for European clients
Although it will be mandatory to send electronic invoices to Belgian businesses from 2026, this deadline does not apply for invoices sent to clients in other EU member states. Things will change from 2030, however. At that moment, e-invoicing will become the standard for all B2B transactions within the EU.
Electronic invoicing is already mandatory for public procurement (i.e. Business-to-Government, or B2G transactions) in many European countries. Each country has until 2030 to decide whether to implement e-invoicing for B2B transactions, and if so, when. Currently, e-invoicing is already in effect in some countries, via Peppol or another system. In others, it’s not yet mandatory.
And because the different platforms are not (yet) fully compatible, you are not (yet) obliged to send electronic invoices to other EU member states. Of course, you are already allowed to do so.
E-invoicing is mandatory (or will be soon) in the following European countries:
| Country | Effective date |
| Belgium | 2026 |
| Germany | 2025 |
| France | 2024 |
| Italy | 2019 |
| The Netherlands | 2030 |
| Portugal | 2023 |
The other EU member states have not yet made e-invoicing mandatory, but will have to do so from 2030.
To find out more and to consult the latest information on e-invoicing in the different EU member states, check out the European Commission’s country factsheet.
E-invoicing to clients outside the EU
For clients located outside the European Union, other rules apply, depending on the country.
Some countries, such as Australia and Mexico, already have strict e-invoicing requirements, while others have no specific rules.
Are you active internationally as a Belgian-registered sole trader or company? If so, you need to take the invoicing requirements of your client’s country into account.
FAQ about electronic invoicing within and outside the EU
No, the obligation in Belgium to use e-invoicing from 2026 only applies between Belgian companies. From 2030, businesses in every European country will be required to send e-invoices and use an e-invoicing platform for B2G and B2B transactions within the EU. Before that, there is no obligation to send e-invoices or to use Peppol. Of course, they are already allowed to do so if they wish.
No, the obligation in Belgium to use e-invoicing from 2026 only applies between Belgian companies. From 2030, businesses in every European country will be required to send e-invoices and use an e-invoicing platform for B2G and B2B transactions within the EU. Before that, there is no obligation to send e-invoices or to use Peppol. Of course, they are already allowed to do so if they wish.
That’s correct. In this case, you do not need to use Peppol. E-invoicing via Peppol or another platform is not (yet) mandatory internationally. You can continue to invoice your clients outside the EU as usual, provided local or international regulations don’t change.
No, the obligation in Belgium to use e-invoicing from 2026 only applies between Belgian companies. From 2030, businesses in every European country will be required to send e-invoices and use an e-invoicing platform for B2G and B2B transactions within the EU. Before that, there is no obligation to send e-invoices or to use Peppol. Of course, they are already allowed to do so if they wish.
