Press release: Agreement reached for the mandatory introduction of e-invoicing

The mandatory introduction between companies will come into effect from 1 January 2026. The Minister of Finance, Vincent van Peteghem, reached this agreement in the Council of Ministers. The move to digital invoicing is important to reduce the VAT gap, the difference between what the government should receive in VAT revenue and what the government actually receives, and to focus on extensive administrative simplification. An ample transition period is provided to give everyone the opportunity to adapt to the new working method.

Reducing the VAT gap is important to ensure that everyone makes their fair contribution. The federal government has therefore included reducing the VAT gap in the coalition agreement. “Measures will be taken to reduce the VAT gap (…) to the level of our neighboring countries,” it reads. Minister Van Peteghem has already taken many steps in that regard. For example, the renovation certificate was scrapped, a new VAT chain was developed and the IMF, at the request of the minister, carried out a study to calculate the size of the Belgian VAT gap.

Today, Minister Van Peteghem is taking another important step with the mandatory introduction of e-invoicing. This obligation already exists for invoices issued to the government, but Minister Van Peteghem will ensure that structured electronic invoices will also become the standard in transactions between taxable companies from 1 January 2026. The government has also opted for the European PEPPOL network for this step. By joining once, a company is automatically connected to all other participants in the network. This network is also already used in many other Member States. Taxpayers are of course offered the flexibility to choose another system by mutual agreement, provided that it also complies with European standards on semantics and syntax.

The Belgian digital plan provides for the digital transition with special attention to the dematerialization of relations between the state, citizens and companies. Electronic invoicing in business-to-business relations will not only affect the improvement of state VAT collection, but will also bring important benefits to businesses in terms of cost savings, efficiency and security. In addition, electronic invoicing is the gateway to the digitalisation of companies, improving their competitiveness.

E-Invoicing Conference

The upcoming obligation is also central during the E-Invoicing Conference. What exactly does the legislation entail? Visit the E-Invoicing Conference to be well prepared for the legislation.

Register today and attend the E-Invoicing Conference on October 24 to be fully informed of the implications for your organisation. Get in contact with your peers. Learn from experts and more. The E-Invoicing Conference is fully catered.