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Peppol « free »? What they don't tell you

Peppol e-invoicing software in Belgium

You're told switching to Peppol is free. It's not. Here is, simply and honestly, what you really need to send and receive your electronic invoices.

Get compliant with Flexina

Flexina, Peppol e-invoicing software in Belgium — the fox mascot presents the Peppol network

The truth

“Peppol is free”? No.

It's the line you hear everywhere. It's misleading. The network is “open”, sure — but getting onto it and using it costs money. Here's why, in plain terms.

Flexina honestly explains the real cost of Peppol

The network is “open”… and that's all

There are no per-invoice fees on the network, and no paid registration. True. But it stops there: you can't plug yourself in on your own.

You need an access point — and a contract with it

You can't use the network directly: you have to go through a certified “Access Point” that you have a contract with. And becoming one yourself costs in the region of €10,000, plus ISO 27001 certification and archiving and reporting obligations.

You also need software that does the technical work

Producing the invoice in the right structured format, sending it, receiving it, and rebuilding a readable PDF from the file — these are demanding technical requirements that no email inbox can handle.

Worth noting: at the outset, the Belgian government had planned a public, free access point for all businesses. That project was dropped when the reform launched.

The good news: you don't have to become an access point yourself, nor handle the technical side. Flexina connects you to a certified access point and provides the software — from €19.99/mo, and we tell it to you straight.

In concrete terms

What you really need to send and receive Peppol

At heart, you need two things that go together. Not one without the other.

1. Access to the network

You can't plug yourself into Peppol on your own. You need a contract with a certified Access Point — it's the one that gets you onto the network and routes your invoices, securely.

2. Software that does the technical work

Producing the invoice in the right structured format, sending and receiving it, validating it, and rebuilding a readable PDF from the file (a Peppol file isn't human-readable). All of it, automatically.

Flexina brings the two together: we connect you to a certified Peppol Access Point AND provide a complete invoicing software. You invoice as usual, we take care of all the rest — from €19.99/mo.

Receive · Send

How do you receive and send a Peppol invoice?

Many freelancers frame the question this way: “I just need to receive” or “I also need to send”. Here's how it works, in concrete terms, in both cases.

Receiving a Peppol invoice

Your client (or their software) sends the invoice over the Peppol network.
It arrives automatically in your software — no more PDFs lost in emails.
The structured file is rebuilt into a readable PDF, ready to validate and pay.

“Receiving Peppol invoices for free” is possible with some providers, but it's often limited to simple reception, with no archiving and no link to your accounting. With Flexina, reception is included and your incoming invoices land in the right place, ready to be processed.

Sending a Peppol invoice

You create your invoice as you do today.
The software converts it to the Peppol BIS 3.0 (UBL) format and sends it over the network.
Your client receives it straight into their accounting, within seconds.

No need to understand UBL or the technical format: you create your invoice as usual, Flexina converts it to the right Peppol format and routes it to your client in real time.

With Flexina, sending and receiving are included, with no per-volume billing — from €19.99/mo.

In force since 1 January 2026

The Belgian 2026 obligation, in plain terms

Framed by the Law of 6 February 2024 and the Royal Decree of 8 July 2025, the obligation applies in a single phase since 1 January 2026: every national B2B invoice between Belgian VAT-liable parties must be a structured e-invoice.

You are concerned if…

You are VAT-liable and established in Belgium.
You invoice other Belgian businesses (national B2B).
You are under the VAT exemption scheme (turnover ≤ €25,000).
You fall under the special agricultural scheme.

No obligation to issue if…

You only invoice private individuals (B2C).
You carry out exclusively exempt operations (art. 44), with no taxed activity whatsoever.
You fall under the VAT flat-rate scheme (scheme abolished by 1 January 2028 at the latest: you will then be concerned).
You are not established in Belgium, or you are bankrupt.

Note: “exempt from issuing” does not mean “exempt from receiving” — flat-rate taxpayers, bankrupt businesses and B2C activities must still be able to receive their e-invoices. The art. 44 exemption only applies if you are exclusively art. 44: the slightest taxed activity (a mixed taxable person) makes you fully concerned. And even when exempt, your suppliers often switch entirely to Peppol: being able to receive remains strongly recommended.

In B2B, a PDF by email is no longer considered compliant. A structured invoice (XML) is required, transmitted by default over the Peppol network. Your invoices to private individuals (B2C), however, can stay as PDFs.

The sanctions regime

If the technical means are missing, the Royal Decree provides for a progressive regime: €1,500, then €3,000, then €5,000, with at least 3 months between two findings. A tolerance period applies at the start (January–March 2026) for good-faith businesses.

B2G, already mandatory

Invoicing public administrations electronically has been mandatory for several years (European Directive 2014/55, the Mercurius platform). The 2026 obligation extends this logic to B2B.

The next step: 2028

Near real-time e-reporting is planned for 2028 (the Peppol 5-corner model), aligned with the European ViDA reform. It will replace the annual client listing.

Two Belgian solutions

Which Peppol solution is right for you?

Not every business needs a complete management software. That's why we created Peppol Box: a dedicated solution to send and receive your Peppol invoices simply and efficiently. And to run your whole business, there's Flexina Invoicing.

Peppol Box

from €5/mo

For those who want to just be Peppol-compliant, simply — or who already have an ERP / an accountant.

Sending and receiving Peppol invoices
OCR/AI invoice scanning, payment QR code
Built-in Peppol directory, mobile app
REST API / integration with your existing ERP
Belgian support included

Discover Peppol Box

The most complete

Flexina Invoicing

from €19.99/mo

For those who want to run their whole business: Peppol + quotes, invoices, CRM, purchases, planning…

All of Peppol (sending + receiving)
Quotes, invoices, purchase orders and delivery notes
Full CRM, cash flow, reminders, purchases & AI scan
Signature, planning, recurring, stock, AI statistics
Belgian human support

Try Flexina Invoicing

Compare the two in detail

Up and running straight away

Get started in 3 steps

In just a few minutes, you're operational and compliant with the Peppol obligation.

Create your account

Activate Peppol

Get your Peppol ID in a few clicks, straight from Flexina.

Send and receive

Send your first compliant e-invoice, and automatically receive your suppliers' invoices.

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15-day trial · no credit card · no commitment

FAQ: Peppol E-Invoicing Obligation Belgium 2026

Since 1 January 2026, Peppol e-invoicing has been mandatory for all B2B transactions in Belgium.

Find out how Flexina guarantees you full compliance.

2026 Legal Obligation

Since when has Peppol e-invoicing been mandatory in Belgium?

LEGAL OBLIGATION: Since 1 January 2026, e-invoicing via Peppol has been mandatory for all B2B (business-to-business) transactions in Belgium. Paper and PDF invoices are no longer accepted for these exchanges.

Which businesses are affected by the 2026 Peppol obligation?

All Belgian businesses that issue invoices to other businesses (B2B) are affected. Size is irrelevant: self-employed people, SMEs, large companies — this obligation applies to everyone. If you invoice business clients, you must use Peppol.

Am I concerned if I'm VAT-exempt (article 44: doctor, paramedical, non-profit…)?

You are only exempt from issuing and receiving if you carry out exclusively operations exempted by article 44. Be careful: the slightest secondary taxed activity (taxed rental, sales, recharges, consulting, sponsorship…) makes you a mixed taxable person, and you become fully concerned by the B2B obligation. Don't confuse this either with the VAT exemption scheme (≤ €25,000), which is fully concerned. And even if you are 100% art. 44, many of your suppliers will switch entirely to Peppol: being able to receive remains strongly recommended — it's possible on a voluntary basis with a simple solution like Peppol Box.

Are my PDF invoices sent by email still valid?

In B2B, a plain PDF by email is no longer considered compliant: your invoices must travel over the Peppol network. With Flexina, it's built in — Peppol sending and receiving happen automatically, without changing the way you work. Your invoices to private individuals (B2C), however, can stay as PDFs.

How do I become Peppol-compliant?

The obligation has been in force since 1 January 2026. Getting compliant is quick: with Flexina, you get your Peppol ID in a few clicks and send your first compliant e-invoice within minutes. Our Belgian team is there to help if needed.

Are there tax benefits for becoming Peppol-compliant?

Yes! Belgian SMEs can benefit from significant tax deductions: a 20% digital investment deduction and a 120% expense deduction. Becoming Peppol-compliant is considered an investment in digitalisation. Take advantage of it now with Flexina.

Receiving, sending and registering on Peppol

How do I receive a Peppol invoice?

To receive a Peppol invoice, you need to be registered on the network through an access point (your software connects you to one). Once registered, your suppliers' invoices arrive automatically in your software, without going through email. With Flexina, reception is included: the structured file is rebuilt into a readable PDF, ready to be validated and paid.

Can you receive Peppol invoices for free?

The Peppol network and registration are free, and some services offer simple reception at no cost. But this “free” reception is often limited: no archiving, no link to your accounting, and nothing to issue your own invoices. As soon as you want to manage everything in one place, you need software. With Flexina, sending and receiving are included from €19.99/mo, with no per-volume billing.

How do I send a Peppol invoice?

You don't need to understand the technical format. You create your invoice as usual in your software; it converts the invoice to the Peppol BIS 3.0 (UBL) format and sends it over the network. Your client receives it straight into their accounting, within seconds. With Flexina, Peppol sending happens in one click.

How do I register on Peppol in Belgium?

You don't register on Peppol “on your own”: you go through a certified access point, which registers your business on the network using your enterprise number (BCE/KBO). With Flexina, registration happens in a few clicks from your account — you get your Peppol ID with no technical steps.

What is a Peppol ID (number) and where do I find it?

The Peppol ID is your business's unique address on the network. In Belgium, it's usually made up of the prefix 0208 followed by your enterprise number (BCE/KBO), for example 0208:0123456789. It's what allows your partners to send you invoices. Your software creates and registers it for you when you activate Peppol.

Is Peppol invoicing mandatory for the self-employed and small businesses?

Yes. Since 1 January 2026, the B2B obligation applies to all businesses established in Belgium, including self-employed people, those who are self-employed as a secondary activity and even those under the VAT exemption scheme (turnover ≤ €25,000). Size doesn't matter: if you invoice other Belgian businesses, you are concerned.

I barely issue any invoices — do I still need Peppol software?

Even if you invoice rarely, you must be able to receive your suppliers' e-invoices — which means being connected to the network. For this minimal need, Peppol Box is the simple and affordable solution: sending and receiving on Peppol, without a complete management software. If your needs grow, you move up to Flexina Invoicing.

What is the best Peppol software for a freelancer in Belgium?

The right software depends on your needs. If you mainly want to be compliant simply (sending/receiving on Peppol), Peppol Box is enough. If you also want to manage quotes, clients, stock and accounting, choose Flexina Invoicing. In both cases, you get a fixed, predictable price (no per-volume billing), a connection to a certified Peppol access point and Belgian support.

Flexina Solution

Why choose Flexina for my 2026 Peppol compliance?

Flexina has been Peppol-compatible for years and is used by thousands of Belgian businesses! Proven invoicing software, guaranteed compliance, fast transition and expert support included. We handle all the technical complexity for you.

How long does it take to set up Flexina?

Quick setup: your Peppol solution is up and running in just a few days! Training included, personalised support and complete guidance until you are fully compliant.

Can Flexina handle my current and future invoices?

A complete solution: Flexina manages your classic invoices AND Peppol in a single software. A gradual transition is possible, with data import and training included. Full continuity guaranteed for your business.

What is the cost of becoming Peppol-compliant with Flexina?

The cost of Flexina is a smart investment in your legal compliance! A free trial is available — test our solution with no commitment. Transparent pricing, no surprises.

Choosing between Flexina Invoicing and Peppol Box

What is the difference between Flexina Invoicing and Peppol Box?

Flexina Invoicing is a complete commercial management solution: invoicing, quotes, clients, stock, accounting and planning with Peppol built in. Peppol Box is aimed at secondary-activity self-employed people, freelancers and traders who only need a simple e-invoicing solution to send and receive their invoices on Peppol.

Who is Peppol Box for?

Peppol Box is perfect for secondary-activity self-employed people, freelancers and traders who only need to send and receive e-invoices on Peppol, without needing a complete commercial management software (CRM, quotes, stock, planning, etc.). It's the simple and affordable solution to be Peppol-compliant.

Can Peppol Box send and receive invoices?

Yes, Peppol Box can send and receive e-invoices on Peppol. It's a complete solution for e-invoicing, without the advanced commercial management features.

Which solution should I choose if I need complete management?

If you need a complete commercial management solution (quotes, invoicing, CRM, stock, planning, accounting) with Peppol built in, choose Flexina Invoicing. It's the scalable solution that grows with your business.

Technical Questions

What exactly is the Peppol network?

Peppol is the standardised European network for the secure exchange of structured e-invoices. It replaces paper and PDF invoices with digital documents compliant with Belgian and European legal standards.

Can you still send PDF invoices after 2026?

Since January 2026, PDF invoices are no longer compliant for B2B transactions in Belgium. Only structured e-invoices via Peppol are legally accepted. Flexina automatically converts your invoices to the right format.

How will my clients receive my Peppol invoices?

Your clients will receive your invoices directly in their accounting software or via their Peppol solution. No more emails, no more paper: instant, secure transmission. Flexina handles all the technical complexity for you.

Is Peppol free?

Access to the Peppol network and registration are free: there are no per-invoice fees. What you pay for is the software that connects you to the network through a certified Access Point and manages your invoices. With Flexina, Peppol sending is included from the base plan.

How do I know if my client is already on Peppol?

Your software automatically checks the network directory using your client's enterprise number. If they're registered as a recipient, the invoice goes out electronically straight away; if not, you are notified.

What is the difference between Peppol and the UBL / BIS 3.0 format?

Peppol is the network (the rails that carry the documents), while Peppol BIS 3.0 (based on UBL and the European standard EN 16931) is the format of the invoice that travels over it. Both are needed: a compliant structured file, carried over the network.

Have a specific question?

Our team of experts is here to help you make your choice and answer all your questions about Flexina.

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Flexina, Peppol e-invoicing expert in Belgium — fox mascot

Move to Peppol e-invoicing with peace of mind

Peppol e-invoicing has become the B2B standard in Belgium. The key takeaway: you need software connected to the network that can send and receive structured invoices (Peppol BIS 3.0). Joining the network is free, and even the smallest businesses must be able to receive.

Flexina has been sending and receiving Peppol invoices since 2022 and handles every subtlety of the standard. Pick the solution that fits: Peppol Box for simple, efficient Peppol invoicing, or the complete Belgian invoicing software to run your whole business.

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