Peppol is a network for the secure electronic exchange of business documents between companies and public institutions. It is most commonly used to receive and send e-invoices, but it also supports other types of documents.
For a company, Peppol is a practical way to exchange data with business partners in a standardized format. It does not need to use the same accounting system as the supplier or customer. All that’s needed is for both parties to be connected to the network through their provider— a digital mail service.
Peppol is a shared network for businesses
Peppol is not a single application, portal, or specific invoicing program. It is a shared infrastructure and a set of rules that enable systems from different companies to exchange documents securely and in a way that is easy to understand.
Every company can choose the solution it uses to connect to the network. One company might use an accounting system with a digital mail server running in the background, while another might use a simple web interface. Peppol ensures that these solutions can exchange documents using the same standard.
That is why Peppol is often explained simply: a company connects once and can then communicate with other partners in the network.
How does e-invoice delivery via Peppol work?
With Peppo, both the sender and the recipient have their own delivery service provider. These providers will ensure that the e-invoice is delivered to the correct destination.
- The supplier creates an e-invoice in its system.
- The provider will prepare the document for delivery via Peppol.
- The network will locate the correct recipient and their delivery point.
- The provider will send the invoice to the recipient via the selected solution.
A company does not need to handle technical connections with each supplier individually. Connecting to Peppol creates a common communication channel for business partners who use the network.
When receiving e-invoices via a digital mailbox, the documents are delivered to a web interface where the user can access them.
What is a structured e-invoice?
An e-invoice sent via Peppol contains structured data. This means that information about the supplier, customer, line items, prices, VAT, due date, and invoice number is stored in a precisely defined format.
A document like this is easier to verify, process, and integrate into company procedures. Every piece of data has its place, and the system can recognize what it represents.
Peppol operates according to rules based on the European standard EN 16931. What is particularly important for companies is that different systems receive documents in a uniform format. The exchange of e-invoices is therefore not dependent on what software a particular business partner uses.
Who is the Peppol network intended for?
The Peppol network is not intended solely for large companies with their own accounting departments. It also applies to sole proprietors, small businesses, and companies that receive invoices for routine expenses, such as rent, phone service, utilities, software, supplies, or external services.
For a sole proprietor or small business that only needs to receive e-invoices, a web-based interface—which is available for free— is a good option . Invoices are delivered to a single inbox, where they can be viewed, reviewed, and saved for your own records or accounting purposes.
Starting January 1, 2027, it will be important not only to be able to send e-invoices but also to receive them. Being prepared, therefore, does not mean that every company needs a large-scale technical project.
What are the benefits of the Peppol network?
The Peppol network helps establish rules that bring order to companies, particularly in the process of receiving and sending documents. An invoice is delivered via a standardized network and can be immediately available to the people who work with it.
- a more organized way to receive e-invoices in one place,
- faster access to documents for both business owners and accountants,
- a uniform data structure for document processing,
- less manual administrative work for repetitive tasks,
- better traceability of received documents.
Is Peppol a secure network?
Peppol operates as a managed network with clear technical rules. Delivery is handled by providers who meet the network’s requirements for document exchange.
An important part of the process is addressing the recipient. The network verifies where a specific document should be delivered and what types of documents the recipient is authorized to receive. This provides the company with a clearer and more controllable process for delivering e-invoices.
When choosing a solution, it’s also a good idea to consider data security and business processes. If multiple people will be working with invoices, access permissions and visibility into who is working with the documents are also important.
What does a company need to do to use Peppol?
Getting started is easy. A company selects a digital mail provider through which it will receive or send e-invoices, registers on the Financial Administration portal, and sets up the necessary access permissions.