Peppol is a secure international network that enables companies and public authorities to exchange electronic invoices.
You can think of it as a kind of “postal service”, but for e-invoices that are sent automatically and securely from your accounting software to your customer’s.
Peppol is not software, not a platform, and not an app that you need to install. It is an agreed standard that ensures that invoices have the same format everywhere and can flow smoothly.
In short, Peppol is the digital highway for your invoices as a self-employed person. Every business will be required to use Peppol from 2026 onwards.
Why does Peppol exist?
Sending invoices can be quite cumbersome as a self-employed person. You send an invoice by email, but the customer only opens it days later, or the email simply ends up in spam. PDF invoices sent by email still have to be opened, checked, and retyped into the accounting package.
Peppol invoices, on the other hand, are automatically imported into your accounting system. This saves time and reduces the risk of errors.
Companies and governments want to save time, avoid errors, and automate their administration. That is why Peppol will become required in 2026.
How does Peppol work?
Peppol can be seen as a secure digital post office. You send your invoice via Peppol and it goes straight into your customer’s accounting system. Peppol works in three simple steps:
- You create an invoice in your accounting software.
- Your software forwards that invoice via your Peppol Access Point (a kind of digital letterbox).
- The invoice is automatically sent to your customer’s software, ready to be processed.
So you don’t have to do anything more than create your invoice. The sending is done behind the scenes. The result? Your invoices are processed faster and usually paid faster, too.
What is the difference between an e-invoice and a PDF invoice?
Many self-employed people think that a PDF sent by email is also an e-invoice. However, there is an important difference:
| PDF invoice | Peppol e-invoice |
| Sent by email | Sent via a secure network |
| The data still has to be retyped | Automatic processing |
| More prone to errors | Fewer errors |
| Can get lost in the inbox | Always arrives safely |
| Not compliant with European standards | 100% compliant and required |
Why is Peppol made mandatory?
From 2026, Peppol will be required for B2B invoices. The government is not making this decision without good reason. Digitizing the process makes invoicing cheaper, more efficient, and less prone to errors. Peppol also ensures greater transparency: invoices can be tracked more easily, and there is greater certainty that suppliers will be paid correctly. It is also a good tool in the fight against invoice fraud.
Another important advantage is that Peppol is a European standard. This means you can send invoices to customers in the Netherlands or Germany just as easily as to your neighbor. This makes international business more accessible, even for small self-employed people.
How do you get started with Peppol?
You don’t need any technical knowledge. You just have to work with software that supports Peppol, such as many modern accounting and invoicing programs.
So be sure to check whether:
- your invoicing program supports Peppol
- Peppol has already been activated for your VAT number
- you are sending your invoices in the correct format
There are simple tools such as Dexxter, ideal for start-ups that are searching for speed and ease of use. For those who already have a larger company and also want to do customer management and project management, there are packages such as Teamleader. The bottom line is that you select a tool that fits your way of working. Make sure you are ready by 2026, otherwise you risk fines.
How do I know if a customer is connected to Peppol?
From 2026, companies must be able to receive invoices through Peppol, so most businesses will be automatically connected. Many accounting apps check the connection of your client automatically when you enter their VAT number.
There is also the Peppol Address Book, where you can look up companies. However, you usually don’t have to do this yourself, as many accounting packages do this automatically for you when you create an invoice.
Is Peppol secure?
Yes. Peppol is a closed, highly secure network with verified participants. Only recognized software suppliers and Access Points are allowed to use it. This makes it much more secure than sending invoices by email.
FAQ about Peppol
What exactly is Peppol?
Peppol is a secure network that allows companies to send e-invoices to each other automatically, without email or PDF.
Is Peppol required?
Yes, Peppol is required.
Do I need to install anything myself to use Peppol?
No. All you need is an accounting or invoicing program that supports Peppol.
What is the advantage of Peppol?
Invoices are processed automatically, which saves time, prevents errors and often results in faster payments.
Is a PDF invoice the same as a Peppol invoice?
No. A PDF is not a real e-invoice and still needs to be processed manually. Peppol is fully automatic.