Is a PDF invoice the same as an e-invoice?

No. A PDF invoice is a digital copy of a paper invoice. A Peppol e-invoice is a structured XML file transmitted over the Peppol network. From January 2026, Belgian B2B invoices must be Peppol e-invoices.

Do I need a Peppol access point to send an e-invoice in Belgium?

Yes. To send invoices on the Peppol network you need invoicing software connected to a certified Peppol Access Point. Feen is a certified Access Point, so the connection is included in your subscription. You do not need to register separately with Peppol.

Is a PDF invoice the same as an e-invoice?

No. A PDF invoice is a digital copy of a paper invoice, usually sent by email. A Peppol e-invoice is a structured XML file transmitted over the Peppol network, which can be automatically processed by your client's accounting software. From January 2026, Belgian B2B invoices must be Peppol e-invoices, not just PDFs.

What if my client is not yet on the Peppol network?

If your client's company is not yet registered on the Peppol network, you can send them a standard PDF invoice in the meantime. The Belgian mandate is being phased in, so not all businesses will be Peppol-ready on day one. Check your client's Peppol status using Feen's free company lookup.

How long does it take to receive a Peppol e-invoice?

Peppol e-invoices are delivered in seconds. Once you send an invoice in Feen, your client's Peppol-connected accounting system receives it almost instantly, with no more waiting for emails to arrive or PDFs to be manually entered.

Is sending e-invoices with Feen free?

Feen offers a 14-day free trial with full e-invoicing capabilities. After the trial, the Pro plan starts at €15.70/month ex-VAT (€19 incl. VAT), and Peppol access and the Access Point certificate are included. There are no per-invoice fees.

Belgium · Peppol mandate 2026

How to send an e-invoice

A clear, step-by-step guide to sending your first Peppol e-invoice in Belgium. Understand what a Peppol e-invoice is, how it differs from a PDF, and how to get started in under 3 minutes.

Definition

What is a Peppol e-invoice?

A Peppol e-invoice is a structured electronic invoice transmitted over the Peppol network in UBL (Universal Business Language) format. Unlike a PDF invoice sent by email, a Peppol e-invoice is machine-readable, automatically processed by your recipient's accounting software, and legally compliant under Belgian and EU law. From January 2026, all Belgian B2B invoices must be sent via Peppol.

Structured XML file (Peppol BIS 3.0 / UBL 2.1), not a PDF

Transmitted over the Peppol network, not email

Received and processed automatically by the buyer's software

Legally valid for Belgian B2B invoicing from January 2026

How-to

How to send an e-invoice in Belgium

Four steps to send your first Peppol e-invoice. With Feen, the whole process takes under 3 minutes.

Choose Peppol-certified invoicing software

You need software that is connected to a certified Peppol Access Point. Feen is a certified Peppol Access Point, so your connection is included in every subscription, with no separate registration needed.

Feen tip: sign up and you are Peppol-connected in under 2 minutes. No technical setup required.

Find your client on the Peppol network

Enter your client's Belgian company number (BCE / KBO) in Feen's company lookup. Feen checks the Peppol network in real time to confirm whether your client is connected and ready to receive e-invoices.

If your client is not yet on Peppol, you can still send a PDF invoice for now, since the mandate phases in gradually.

Create your invoice as normal

Fill in your invoice details: description, quantity, unit price, VAT rate, and payment terms. Feen automatically validates the data against Belgian legal requirements (correct VAT treatment, mandatory fields, company number format).

Feen pre-fills your company details and can auto-complete your client's details from the BCE register.

Send via Peppol, and you're done

Click send. Feen converts your invoice to Peppol BIS 3.0 (UBL) format automatically, transmits it to your client via the Peppol network, and records a delivery confirmation. Your invoice appears in your client's accounting system within seconds.

You receive a delivery notification and can track the invoice status in your Feen dashboard.

Ready to send your first e-invoice?

Feen is a certified Peppol Access Point. Start your 14-day free trial and send your first Peppol e-invoice today, with no technical knowledge required.

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FAQ

E-invoiceQuestions.

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Yes. To send invoices on the Peppol network you need invoicing software connected to a certified Peppol Access Point. Feen is a certified Access Point, so the connection is included in your subscription. You do not need to register separately with Peppol.

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