> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://fitek-learning.fitek.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://fitek-learning.fitek.com/hidden-content/popular-peppol.md). # Popular: PEPPOL ## PEPPOL PEPPOL is a Pan-European (now global) network that lets businesses exchange e-invoices and other structured electronic documents securely and reliably. Instead of sending invoices by email as PDFs, you and your partners send them through a standardized, certified network. If you do business across Europe or in regulated markets, PEPPOL is increasingly the standard way to exchange invoices - and Fitek handles the technical complexity so you don't have to. *** ### What is PEPPOL? PEPPOL stands for Pan-European Public Procurement OnLine. It's a network built around three key components: **Access Points** Certified gateways that connect companies to the PEPPOL network. Fitek is a registered Access Point, so you can send and receive invoices securely. **Network directory** A registry where companies register their PEPPOL addresses so others can find them. Think of it like a phone directory for e-invoices. **Standard format** All invoices travel through PEPPOL in a standardized structure. This ensures every system - regardless of the software or country - understands what it receives. For you as a Fitek customer, the important part is simple: you connect to Fitek once, and we handle the rest - managing your PEPPOL registration, converting your invoices to the right format, and delivering them reliably. #### A brief history **So where did Peppol actually come from?** Peppol didn't start as a private-sector product - it began in 2008 as a pilot project, jointly funded by the European Commission and 18 consortium members from 11 European countries, aiming to simplify cross-border e-procurement between businesses and public administrations. * **2008** - Launched as an EU-funded pilot project. * **1 September 2012** - Governance passed to [OpenPeppol](https://peppol.org), the non-profit that still owns and maintains the Peppol specifications today. * **End of 2019** - Rebranded from the acronym "Pan-European Public Procurement OnLine" to simply "Peppol," reflecting how far the network had grown beyond public procurement into general B2B e-invoicing, and beyond Europe's borders. *** ### Why PEPPOL matters #### Reach many partners with one connection Instead of setting up custom integrations with each supplier or customer, you register once in PEPPOL. When new suppliers or customers join the network, they're automatically reachable. **Example**: you expand to a new country. Instead of creating a new email address and worrying about compatibility, your PEPPOL address works the same way everywhere. #### Meet regulatory requirements Many countries now require or strongly encourage e-invoicing via PEPPOL, especially for: * Public sector invoices (government buying) * Large enterprise invoices (EU Directive 2014/55/EU) * Specific industries Using Fitek's PEPPOL service means you're compliant with these regulations without building it yourself. #### Get structured data, not PDFs Invoices arrive as structured data, not as images or PDFs. This means: * Automatic data extraction (no manual typing) * Better accuracy (no OCR errors) * Easier matching with your own systems (PO matching, automation) * Smoother ERP integration #### Security and traceability PEPPOL traffic runs through certified Access Points with built-in security. Every invoice is tracked - you can see when it was sent, received, and if there were any delivery issues. There's a clear split of responsibility: you're responsible for the invoice content; Fitek is responsible for compliant, secure transport. #### Single standard, many countries Instead of learning different e-invoicing formats for each country (Polish KSeF, Spanish FACe, etc.), PEPPOL provides one standard that works across Europe and beyond. *** ### Where Peppol stands today *Note: regulatory timelines vary by country and can shift - the dates below reflect the situation as of 25 September 2026. Always confirm your own country's and your trading partners' current requirements rather than relying on a single date.* **So where does Peppol actually stand right now?** Two things are true at once: Peppol is already legally mandatory in some countries, and the EU is now legislating to make cross-border e-invoicing mandatory everywhere. **Is Peppol already mandatory anywhere?** Yes. Belgium is the clearest example: * Since **1 January 2026**, Peppol has been mandatory for all VAT-registered Belgian businesses exchanging B2B invoices, using the Peppol BIS 3.0 standard. * Belgium is the first EU country to mandate Peppol this broadly for domestic B2B trade, not just public procurement. * Over **1 million** Belgian businesses are already exchanging invoices this way. [Slovakia](/hidden-content/popular-slovakia-e-invoicing.md) is heading the same direction: its planned 2027 e-invoicing mandate is also being built directly on top of Peppol, rather than as a separate national platform, using a "5-corner model" that adds an extra reporting corner to the tax authority on top of the standard Peppol network. Both are concrete examples of the same pattern: countries building national mandates on top of Peppol rather than replacing it. **What's coming next for the rest of the EU?** The EU adopted its "ViDA" (VAT in the Digital Age) reform on **11 March 2025** - see the [European Commission's ViDA page](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/taxation/vat/vat-digital-age-vida_en) or the [official directive text on EUR-Lex](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32025L0516). It sets the timeline for the rest of Europe: * **1 July 2030** - cross-border B2B e-invoicing becomes mandatory across the whole EU. * **1 January 2035** - national e-invoicing systems must align with a common EU digital reporting standard. Peppol is well placed for this shift, since it's already a cross-border network built for exactly this kind of interoperability. That said, ViDA doesn't mandate Peppol by name - it mandates the outcome (structured, real-time-reportable cross-border e-invoicing), and individual countries are still free to implement it differently. Some are building on Peppol, others are taking their own path, such as Poland's KSeF (see our [E-invoicing overview](/hidden-content/e-invoicing.md) for how different national approaches compare). As adoption accelerates, Fitek keeps tracking these mandates so you don't have to guess - but for your specific market and partners, it's always worth double-checking the current requirements rather than assuming. *** ### Receiving invoices via PEPPOL #### How it works **You register with PEPPOL** Fitek validates your legal details (company name, registration number, VAT) and registers your company in the PEPPOL network. You get a unique PEPPOL ID based on your VAT or registration number. **Your suppliers send invoices to your PEPPOL address** Instead of emailing PDFs, suppliers send e-invoices directly to your PEPPOL address (registered in the network directory). **Invoices arrive in Fitek, fully structured** Fitek receives the invoice through our Access Point and delivers it directly into your chosen system - Fitek, your ERP, or another platform - already in structured format, ready for approval and processing. **You see, approve, and export as normal** The invoice appears in your invoice register with all details extracted. You approve it, route it through workflows, and export it to your accounting system just like any other invoice. #### Prerequisites To receive invoices via PEPPOL, you need: * An active PEPPOL registration with Fitek * Your legal details verified (company registry, VAT, registration code) * Your PEPPOL ID active at the Access Point * Your incoming supplier's PEPPOL address matching the invoice sender If any of these is missing, the invoice won't be delivered. *** ### Sending invoices via PEPPOL #### How it works **You create sales invoices in your system** Create invoices in your ERP, accounting software, or Fitek - however you normally work. **You send invoices to Fitek** Instead of emailing PDFs to customers, you send invoices to Fitek through a defined channel: * Secure email address * SFTP folder * API (depending on your setup) **Fitek converts to PEPPOL standard** Fitek extracts the invoice data and converts it to the standardized PEPPOL format, ensuring all required fields are present and correct. **Fitek delivers via the network** We look up your customer's PEPPOL address in the network directory and deliver the invoice securely through the PEPPOL network. The customer receives it structured and ready to process. **You monitor delivery** You can track whether the invoice was accepted, if there were any delivery errors, and get detailed logs of what happened. #### What happens if a customer isn't on PEPPOL yet? If your customer hasn't registered for PEPPOL yet, the invoice can't be delivered through the network. In these cases, you might: * Continue sending them PDFs by email * Encourage them to register for PEPPOL (it's increasingly required) * Use an alternative e-invoicing format supported by Fitek (like KSeF in Poland) *** ### Getting started with PEPPOL #### Step 1: Request PEPPOL service Contact Fitek and tell us you want to activate PEPPOL. *** ### Common questions **Do I have to use PEPPOL?** It depends on your market and customers. If you sell to governments or large enterprises in Europe, PEPPOL is increasingly required. If you sell to smaller businesses, you may have a choice. Check your local regulations and customer requirements. **What if my customer isn't on PEPPOL?** If they haven't registered, PEPPOL delivery won't work for them. You can continue using email or other channels. As PEPPOL adoption grows, more customers will join. **Is PEPPOL secure?** Yes. Traffic runs through certified Access Points with built-in security. Fitek has formal verification processes and clear responsibility division. Every transaction is logged and traceable. **Do I need a separate system for PEPPOL?** No. Fitek handles PEPPOL for you. Invoices appear in your normal Fitek interface or ERP - you don't see the PEPPOL complexity. Fitek manages the conversion and delivery. **What countries does PEPPOL cover?** PEPPOL is used across Europe and many other countries. Coverage grows regularly. Check the PEPPOL network directory for current participating countries and sectors. **What documents can I send via PEPPOL?** Currently, invoices and credit notes are the main documents. Some countries also support orders and dispatch advice, depending on configuration. **What if an invoice fails to deliver?** Fitek tracks delivery failures and notifies you. Common reasons include incorrect PEPPOL address, unregistered receiver, or temporary network issues. Fitek's support team can help investigate and resolve. *** ### Next steps Ready to use PEPPOL? Here's what to do: 1. **Check your needs** - Do your customers or suppliers require PEPPOL? Are you selling internationally? 2. **Contact Fitek** - Tell us you want to activate PEPPOL receiving and/or sending 3. **Provide legal details** - Fitek will verify your company information and register you 4. **Configure channels** - Work with Fitek to set up how invoices flow to and from your system 5. **Test and go live** - Send a test invoice, confirm receipt, and you're ready Fitek handles the technical complexity. 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