Peppol in Belgium: what it is and how to connect in 10 minutes

Since January 1, 2026, e-invoicing between Belgian VAT-registered businesses is mandatory. Sending a PDF via email is no longer sufficient: invoices must be sent in a structured format through the Peppol network. But what exactly is Peppol, and how do you connect quickly and hassle-free? This article explains it step by step.

What is Peppol?

Peppol stands for Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line. It is not software, but a network with agreements on how businesses securely exchange electronic documents such as invoices and credit notes. You can compare it to the GSM network: it doesn’t matter which provider you or your client has, the message arrives.

Every business is connected via a so-called access point. Your invoicing program sends the invoice to your access point, which looks up the recipient in the Peppol directory and delivers the invoice to your customer’s access point. From there, it goes directly into their accounting system, without retyping or scanning.

Is Peppol mandatory?

Yes. For transactions between Belgian VAT-registered businesses (B2B), structured e-invoicing has been mandatory since January 1, 2026, and Peppol is the standard for this. This applies to both sending and receiving invoices. Invoices to private individuals (B2C) and foreign customers are currently not included. If you are exempt from VAT filing, for example through the exemption scheme for small businesses, you must in principle still be able to receive e-invoices. Unsure about your situation? Check with your accountant or visit the website of the FPS Finance.

Want to learn more about the benefits? Check out our article on why e-invoicing reduces costs, time, and headaches.

Your Peppol ID: what it is and what it looks like

Every connected company has a unique Peppol-ID. For Belgian enterprises, this is usually 0208: followed by the company number without dots, for example 0208:0698645666. The code 0208 refers to the Belgian KBO number. You can check in the public Peppol directory whether a company is already connected.

Connect to Peppol in 4 steps

1. Choose an invoicing program with built-in Peppol integration. This way, you don’t need to arrange a separate access point. In Offacto, this happens via our integration with Let’s Peppol.
2. Register your business. You enter your company number; your Peppol-ID is based on this and published in the directory.
3. Check your customers. A good program automatically detects whether a customer is on Peppol and selects the appropriate sending channel by itself.
4. Send your first e-invoice. Create your invoice as usual and click send. If your customer isn’t connected, the invoice will be sent via email, WhatsApp, or post.

Free or paid?

Peppol itself is free; you may pay for the software or access point. Free options exist with limitations on the number of invoices or features. With Offacto Starter, you can send up to 3 invoices per month via Peppol for free, including quotes and dashboards. Those who send more or want to use AI can choose Advanced. If you invest in e-invoicing software, also ask your accountant about the increased tax deduction the government provides for this.

Peppol in Offacto

In Offacto, Peppol is not an extra module; it’s integrated into every invoice. You can see per customer whether they are on Peppol, and incoming Peppol invoices automatically appear in your incoming invoices, where AI checks the VAT. This way, you combine compliance with less administration.

Ready to try it yourself? Start 14 days free with Offacto, without payment details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Peppol mean?

Peppol stands for Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line: a European network and a set of agreements to securely exchange electronic invoices between businesses.

Since when has Peppol been mandatory in Belgium?

Since January 1, 2026, for invoices between Belgian VAT-registered businesses.

How do I find my Peppol-ID?

For Belgian businesses, this is usually 0208: followed by your company number without dots. You can verify this in the Peppol directory.

What if my customer isn’t on Peppol?

You then send the invoice as you used to, for example, by email or post. Offacto automatically selects the correct channel.

Does Peppol cost money?

The network itself does not cost money. You may pay for the software. Offacto Starter allows you to send up to 3 invoices per month via Peppol for free.