Definition
Peppol is an international network and set of standards for exchanging structured electronic invoices and other business documents between organizations through certified access points. Businesses connect once through a Peppol provider and can then send machine-readable e-invoices to any other Peppol participant, much like sending email.
Also called: Peppol network, Peppol BIS, Peppol e-invoicing
Peppol in practice
Peppol is used for government invoicing in many countries and increasingly for business-to-business invoicing. Belgium, for example, has required structured e-invoices for most domestic B2B sales since January 2026, exchanged through Peppol. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan also use Peppol-based e-invoicing frameworks.
- What must be on an invoice in Australia Required details, tax rules, and record keeping, with official sources
- What must be on an invoice in Singapore Required details, tax rules, and record keeping, with official sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a PDF invoice sent by email a Peppol invoice?
No. A Peppol invoice is structured data, typically in the Peppol BIS Billing format, sent through access points, so the buyer's software can process it without retyping.
How does a small business start sending Peppol invoices?
Sign up with a certified Peppol access point provider, often built into accounting or invoicing software, which registers your business on the network. You can then send e-invoices to any client that has a Peppol ID.
Related terms
- E-invoicing E-invoicing is the exchange of invoices in a structured electronic format that the recipient's system can process automatically, as opposed to a PDF or paper invoice that must be read and keyed in.
- PDF invoice A PDF invoice is an invoice saved in Portable Document Format so it looks identical on every device, cannot be edited casually, and is easy to email, print, and archive.
- CFDI A CFDI (Comprobante Fiscal Digital por Internet) is the mandatory electronic invoice format in Mexico.
- Tax invoice A tax invoice is an invoice that meets the legal requirements for the buyer to claim a tax credit, typically under a VAT or GST system.
This page is for general information only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and vary by location, so consult a qualified lawyer or accountant about your situation.