Mandatory e-invoicing in Belgium from Jan. 1, 2026

From Jan. 1, 2026, electronic invoicing will become mandatory for all B2B transactions in Belgium. This means that paper and PDF invoices will no longer be valid. From now on, invoices must be exchanged in a structured electronic format (EN16931) via the Peppol network.

To whom does this apply?

The obligation applies to all companies subject to VAT in Belgium and companies outside Belgium doing business with Belgian companies, including:

• Food manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors.
• Independents and smaller players in the food sector.
• Foreign companies with a Belgian VAT number.

Important: This applies to B2B transactions only. For B2C, invoicing via paper or PDF remains possible for now.

In Italy in e-incoicing has been mandatory for several years. The rest of Europe is expected to follow in 2030, but this is not yet certain.

What does this mean for food companies?

The food industry often works with high volumes of invoices, fluctuating prices and international trade. E-invoicing can therefore bring benefits:

• Improved cash flow through faster payments.
• Reduced administrative burden.
• Seamless integration with ERP systems such as NetSuite, which are Peppol-ready.

For Dutch companies operating in Belgium, their Belgian entities or VAT registrations must also be compliant.

Start today

As of 2026, all Belgian B2B invoices must be exchanged electronically via Peppol. For food companies, this is not only an obligation, but also an opportunity to modernize processes and work more efficiently.

Want to know how FoodQloud can help your organization with e-invoicing within your ERP? Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.