Is Peppol mandatory in Belgium?

This page explains whether the obligation applies to you, which invoices are valid and, above all: how to easily comply.

Summary of this page

Peppol is mandatory for B2B invoices between Belgian companies.
The obligation also applies to VAT-liable one-person businesses, freelancers and SMEs.
Invoices to private individuals are not subject to the Peppol obligation.
Anyone who is not compliant risks fines and additional administrative work.
A PDF sent by email is considered an informative copy only.
OkiOki helps you make the switch from your current Peppol software.

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Who is subject to the Peppol obligation in Belgium?

Since 1 January 2026, e-invoicing has been mandatory in Belgium for invoicing between companies. All Belgian companies must send their B2B invoices to each other in a structured format.

The government chose Peppol as the network for this transmission. This European channel had already proven its efficiency and security for the sending of electronic invoices. Companies, governments and organisations use it extensively.

To use Peppol, you need access to a Peppol access point. OkiOki is an accredited service provider and helps you to connect your company properly to the Peppol network.

What is an e-invoice?

An e-invoice, or electronic invoice, is a digital invoice in a structured format, such as XML or UBL. This allows accounting and invoicing software to automatically read and process the data.

Does the obligation also apply to my one-person business or SME?

You are also required to use Peppol if you are a one-person business, freelancer or SME if the following two conditions apply:

You are subject to VAT
You invoice other companies.

In other words, B2B e-invoicing is also mandatory for you as a small-scale entrepreneur. But it doesn't have to become a technical headache. OkiOki makes it easy to send and receive e-invoices. And without requiring IT investments

Which invoices need to be sent via Peppol?

Digital invoicing is mandatory between companies. Are you sending an invoice to a private person? If so, you don't have to send a digital invoice.

Are you invoicing the government? In this case, electronic invoicing has long been the standard.

What happens if I do not comply with this obligation?

Peppol has been mandatory since 1 January 2026. After that date, a three-month transition period applied, which has now passed.

What happens if you do not comply with the Peppol legislation in Belgium? You could receive a fine that increases considerably over time:

€1,500 for the first violation
€3,000 for the second violation
€5,000 for every subsequent violation

But these fines are not the only issue. Without Peppol, you also face practical problems:

Customers may find it harder to process your invoice.
Your accountant has more manual work;
Your administrative workflows are delayed.

In short, it is in your best interest to use Peppol. You can do this quickly, easily and affordably with OkiOki.

Can I also send invoices by email?

No. An ordinary PDF invoice sent by email is no longer valid as an official invoice. Only a structured e-invoice sent via Peppol is compliant. After all, this e-invoice contains crucial data that accounting software can automatically read and process.

Of course, you can still send your customer a PDF invoice by email in addition to the official e-invoice via Peppol. But this is purely for informative purposes.

What is the difference between a PDF and an e-invoice?

It depends on how your invoice is processed. A PDF is primarily intended for reading, while an e-invoice comprises structured data. This ensures faster processing, fewer errors, lower administration costs, a smoother payment process and additional security through secure networks such as Peppol.

Can I easily switch to OkiOki if I’m already using other Peppol software?

Yes, this is possible. Do you already use other Peppol software? OkiOki can help you unsubscribe step by step.

You can then use OkiOki to send and receive e-invoices. An additional advantage: your administrative workflows will immediately become much simpler and better organised. Both for you and your accountant.

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Need help with Peppol?

OkiOki helps you get started by:

connecting your company to the Peppol network;
ensuring that you send and receive e-invoices correctly
helping you switch to OkiOki if you use other Peppol software.

Contact OkiOki

Frequently asked questions about the Peppol obligation in Belgium

Do I need technical knowledge to use Peppol?

No. With OkiOki, you don't need to have technical knowledge to use Peppol. You simply create your invoice in the app. OkiOki prepares it in the right format, connects your company to the Peppolnetwork and sends your invoice via an approved access point. This means you don't have to create UBL or XML files, choose an access point or deal with technical settings.

Can I use Peppol with my current accountant?

Yes. OkiOki coordinates smoothly with your current accountancy firm. Your e-invoices, documents, comments, tags and payment information can be automatically forwarded to their accounting software. Your accountant receives your file documents as they come, in a structured format, without additional emails having to be sent back and forth. This saves you both a lot of time.

Can I use Peppol on my smartphone?

Yes. OkiOki allows you to work on both your computer and your smartphone. You can create invoices and offers wherever you want, track tasks and payments and also take pictures of receipts or documents. This way, your paperwork doesn't pile up on your desk until you have time to deal with it.

Can I continue to use regular PDF invoices?

For Belgian B2B invoices, an ordinary PDF sent by email is no longer sufficient as an official invoice. It must be a structured e-invoice sent via Peppol. You can also provide your customer with a PDF copy, but this is primarily used as a reading document. When using OkiOki, you automatically send invoices in the correct format via Peppol.

How do I easily get started with Peppol?

Getting started with Peppol is easy by becoming an OkiOki user. You activate your account, connect your company to the Peppol network and create your invoice in the app. OkiOki checks whether your customer can be reached via Peppol and sends the e-invoice in the correct format. This way, you’re up and running in no time and without any technical hassle.