Since 1 January 2026, sending electronic B2B invoices through the Peppol network has been mandatory in Belgium. For many self-employed people in main or secondary occupation, this feels like a new administrative hurdle. But what if this obligation is actually an upgrade of your current invoicing system?
What is Peppol exactly?
Peppol is an international network that exchanges digital invoices. Think of it as an upgrade of your email system: instead of a PDF attachment, you send structured data that automatically lands in your customer’s computer system. These invoices have a fixed structure that computers can process directly, so your customer no longer has to retype anything manually. This has a number of advantages that you, as a sole proprietor, can benefit from.
Advantage 1: Automatic processing saves time
This is where things get particularly interesting. Imagine: Sophie is a graphic designer and sends an invoice for €1,200 by email. Her customer views it on screen and types all the details into his accounting system: invoice number, amount, VAT, and due date. This is error-prone and time-consuming. With Peppol, all that data ends up in the right place immediately and without errors.
The same applies the other way around: Ahmed, a freelance consultant, regularly receives invoices from suppliers. Thanks to Peppol, his accounting software reads them automatically, without him having to retype any figures.
The result? Less back-and-forth emailing about unclear invoices, no more manual entry, and no more searching for payment details.
Advantage 2: Faster payments
Peppol invoices are usually paid faster than PDF invoices. The reasoning behind this is simple: your customer no longer has to process your invoice manually—everything is immediately ready for approval. However, it is important to note that slow payers will remain slow payers, even with perfect technology.
Advantage 3: Complete tracking of your invoices
You send a PDF invoice by email, but you don’t know if it ended up in your customer’s spam folder. Does this frustrating situation sound familiar to you? With Peppol, you receive automatic status notifications: invoice sent, received, and approved for payment. Just like with track & trace for parcels, you know exactly where your invoice is.
Peppol: from obligation to upgrade
Peppol is mandatory, so you have no choice. But this obligation comes with concrete benefits: automatic processing, better tracking, greater security, and probably faster payments. For most sole proprietors, e-invoicing means less administrative frustration and more time for your core business.
How to get started
Implementation doesn’t have to be complicated—especially if you use Dexxter. Start testing now so you’ll be fully ready by 1 January 2026. Dexxter and Peppol ensure that your invoices reach your customers even more accurately, securely, and smoothly.
