Mandatory e-invoicing via Peppol is no longer a distant future, but a hard reality that businesses cannot ignore. Those who don’t embrace digital transformation will fall behind.
The January 1, 2026 deadline for digital invoicing via Peppol is approaching uncomfortably fast. Companies that haven’t registered yet risk running into problems. “With Peppol, we’re taking an important step in automation where invoices are processed correctly, within a uniform system without manual intervention,” states Joris Dresselaers, Business Area Director at Visma.
With a portfolio of various software solutions for accountants and entrepreneurs including AdminPulse, Yuki, Teamleader, and Dexxter, he knows better than anyone what businesses and accountants are experiencing during this digital transition. “We’re not yet where we need to be.”
The Eleventh Hour
“It’s the eleventh hour,” Dresselaers begins. The January 1 deadline is no longer a distant future but lurking around the corner. “The government has confirmed that the date is fixed and will not be moved.” Companies that haven’t registered on the Peppol network have no reason to wait.
He notes that adoption is increasing but isn’t yet where it should be. “Accountants are doing a great job getting as many entrepreneurs as possible onto the network, but they don’t always succeed in convincing organizations of the benefits,” he states.
Calm Before the Storm
Invoices sent via PDF after January 1, 2026, will no longer be compliant and therefore won’t be accepted. This can have major consequences such as unpaid invoices or even fines. “From January 1, there will be no other way: companies must send invoices via Peppol,” says Dresselaers.
“Business software like Yuki and Teamleader are riding the Peppol wave hard, and this will only intensify,” he states. They are already preparing for the high demand expected in the coming months from companies taking action just before or after the deadline.
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Dresselaers believes the responsibility lies with the entrepreneur. “When you’re not on the Peppol network, invoices won’t be paid, which leads to other problems.”
Go with the Flow
Peppol is often seen as a complex challenge requiring significant work. Visma sees it differently. “Mandatory digitalization is an opportunity to optimize processes and implement automation using AI.” According to Dresselaers, businesses aren’t yet aware of these benefits but are fixating on the large workload ahead of them.
It seems like a lot of work, but with the right digital tools, everything happens seamlessly in the software.
Joris Dresselaers, Business Area Director at Visma
However, e-invoicing via Peppol offers a very uniform approach. “All invoices come in and go out in the same way according to a standardized format, requiring less manual administration,” Dresselaers explains. This not only ensures faster invoice processing but also faster payment. “Once you’re registered and have chosen the right digital tools, the next steps aren’t that big anymore,” he knows.
Dresselaers also notices a kind of fear among companies regarding costs and time investment. “There’s an appropriate solution for every type of business. With the right tools and guidance, these challenges can be efficiently solved.”
Security
A forgotten advantage of Peppol, but simultaneously one of the most important according to Visma, is security. The uniform system is resistant to fraud and potential errors that occur due to phishing. Additionally, invoices cannot be intercepted, and you avoid bank account numbers being used for incorrect payments. “All these issues are eliminated once you’re on the Peppol network,” says Dresselaers.
Starting with Software
Registering your company on the Peppol network can be done in a few clicks (check our step-by-step guide). But if your current software doesn’t support Peppol, the story becomes more complex. “The biggest work lies in choosing the right digital tools that support your business to make the transition as quick and simple as possible,” Dresselaers knows.
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“Many companies don’t know the technical requirements of such software tools, or work with systems that aren’t Peppol-ready.” They need to switch to a system that is ready, like Yuki or Teamleader.
Software that isn’t riding the Peppol wave today will lose importance in the coming years. “There are more than you think,” Dresselaers knows. “If you want to be Peppol-compatible with such software, you need to add an extra manual step to get your accounting onto the Peppol network, and that’s simply inefficient.”
Sustainable
Finally, Dresselaers points to an important advantage of Peppol that’s often forgotten: sustainability. “Through automation, you have less paperwork ending up in our ecosystems. Less transport is needed, fewer errors occur, and manual work decreases. Everything runs much more efficiently, making your business win.”
Dresselaers advises companies to choose the right digital tools. “Take time to review where the support lies in your current software and whether it’s Peppol-ready. If your software isn’t ready, look for the right digital tools that fit within your processes to step into the e-invoicing story,” he concludes.