# Peppol Network Guide: What It Is and How to Get Connected - Date: 2026-01-19 - Reading time: 10 min read Complete guide to the Peppol network for e-invoicing. Learn what Peppol is, how the 4-corner model works, and how to connect your business for compliant B2B ## Article overview This article explains Peppol Network Guide: What It Is and How to Get Connected as a practical reference for European e-invoicing. It defines the topic in plain language, places it in the compliance context, and connects the explanation to invoice formats such as XRechnung, ZUGFeRD/Factur-X, UBL, and CII. ## Peppol: The Backbone of European E-Invoicing **Peppol** (Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line) is an interoperability framework and network for exchanging structured business documents, including invoices, between connected organisations. It supports domestic and cross-border trade; whether you must use it depends on the rules in your country and the requirements of your trading partners. At **Invoice-Converter.com**, we help businesses prepare UBL invoices for Peppol workflows and recipient-side validation. This guide explains everything you need to know about Peppol. ### Key Takeaways - **What:** Peppol is a secure network for exchanging business documents - **Where:** Used through Peppol-certified service providers; required for Belgian domestic B2B e-invoicing from 1 January 2026, while other mandates and channels vary by country - **How:** Uses the "4-corner model" with Access Points for document routing - **Format:** Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (UBL 2.1 XML) is the standard format ### What is Peppol? Peppol is an international framework that standardizes how businesses and governments exchange electronic business documents. It began as an EU public-procurement project and is now governed by **OpenPeppol AISBL**, a non-profit association based in Belgium. Think of Peppol like email for business documents: just as you can send an email from Gmail to Outlook without worrying about compatibility, Peppol allows you to send invoices from one system to another, regardless of the software being used. ### The 4-Corner Model Explained Peppol uses a "4-corner model" for document exchange: - **Corner 1 - Sender:** Your business creates an invoice using your accounting software or our conversion flow - **Corner 2 - Sender's Access Point:** A Peppol-certified service provider sends the invoice into the network - **Corner 3 - Receiver's Access Point:** The recipient's Peppol-certified service provider receives the invoice and passes it to the recipient - **Corner 4 - Receiver:** The invoice arrives in the recipient's system for processing This model ensures that documents are routed securely and that both parties don't need to use the same software or provider. ### Peppol ID: Your Business Address on the Network Every participant on Peppol has a unique identifier called a **Peppol ID** (also known as Peppol Participant Identifier). This typically consists of: - A scheme code (e.g., 0106 for Belgian company numbers, 0190 for Dutch KvK numbers) - Your organization's identifier (e.g., your VAT number or company registration) Example: A Belgian company with enterprise number 0123.456.789 would have Peppol ID: `0208:0123456789` ### Where is Peppol Mandatory? Country Requirement Status Belgium B2B e-invoicing via Peppol Mandatory since Jan 2026 Netherlands B2G e-invoicing through approved channels, including Peppol Required for central-government suppliers; channel depends on the recipient Germany B2G accepts Peppol Optional (XRechnung via Peppol) France B2G via Chorus Pro Peppol compatible Italy SDI system (Peppol growing) Interoperability available Australia Peppol is available for e-invoicing Requirements vary by state and government programme Singapore InvoiceNow (Peppol-based) Active ### How to Connect to Peppol To send and receive documents via Peppol, you need to connect through an **Access Point**. Here are your options: #### Option 1: Through Your Accounting Software Many modern accounting systems have built-in Peppol connectivity or partnerships with Access Points. Check if your software offers Peppol integration. #### Option 2: Dedicated Access Point Provider You can sign up with a Peppol-certified service provider. The provider handles the technical connection, participant discovery and transport rules. Use the current OpenPeppol service-provider directory, or ask your accounting-software vendor which certified providers it supports. #### Option 3: Hybrid Approach Use **Invoice-Converter.com** to prepare UBL invoices from your existing PDFs for Peppol workflows, then submit them through your Access Point or government portal after validation. This is ideal if you're transitioning to full Peppol connectivity. ### Prepare UBL for Peppol Workflows Our conversion flow creates UBL 2.1 invoices that you can review and validate for your Peppol flow: - [Convert PDF to UBL](/en/pdf-to-ubl) - Create UBL files for Peppol Access Point review - [Validate Your Invoice](/en/xrechnung-validator) - Check EN 16931 compliance ### Peppol BIS Billing 3.0: The Invoice Format Peppol uses **Peppol BIS Billing 3.0** as its standard invoice format. This is based on: - **UBL 2.1:** Universal Business Language XML syntax - **EN 16931:** European e-invoicing standard (core invoice model) - **Peppol CIUS:** Additional business rules specific to Peppol The format ensures that invoices can be processed automatically by any system connected to Peppol, regardless of the recipient's software. ### Benefits of Using Peppol - **Interoperability:** Send to any Peppol participant worldwide - **Security:** Encrypted transmission with verified identities - **Compliance support:** Peppol BIS Billing is based on EN 16931; you still need to meet the specific legal and tax rules that apply to your transaction - **Automation:** Enables straight-through processing - **Cost Reduction:** Lower processing costs than paper or email - **Speed:** Real-time delivery instead of postal delays ### Getting Started: Step by Step - **Check Requirements:** Determine if Peppol is mandatory for your trading partners or government invoicing - **Get Your Peppol ID:** Register your organization and obtain your participant identifier - **Choose an Access Point:** Select a provider that fits your volume and budget - **Test Connectivity:** Send test invoices before going live - **Start Sending:** Begin with a pilot group of recipients The Peppol network continues to grow as more countries mandate e-invoicing. Getting connected now positions your business for compliance and efficiency gains as adoption expands across Europe and beyond. ## How to use this guide Use the article as a starting point before changing a finance or ERP workflow: identify the applicable country rule or standard, decide which structured format is expected, validate the generated XML, and keep a documented exception process for invoices that require manual review. ## FAQ ### What is Peppol? Peppol is an interoperability framework and network for exchanging structured business documents, including invoices. It uses a four-corner model in which certified service providers connect senders and recipients. ### Do I need Peppol to send e-invoices? It depends on your location, transaction type and recipient. Belgian VAT-registered businesses must exchange structured B2B invoices through Peppol from 1 January 2026. Elsewhere, Peppol may be one accepted channel among several, so check the applicable national rules and recipient requirements. ### How much does Peppol cost? Costs vary by Access Point provider. Some charge per document (€0.10-0.50 per invoice), others offer monthly subscriptions. Many accounting software packages include Peppol at no extra cost. ### What format does Peppol use? Peppol uses UBL 2.1 XML format with Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 specifications. This is based on the European standard EN 16931 and ensures interoperability across all Peppol participants. ### Can I use Peppol internationally? Yes. Peppol supports domestic and cross-border exchange through certified service providers in many countries. The recipient must be registered for the document type you want to send, and local legal requirements still apply. ## Official references - [OpenPeppol official site](https://www.peppol.org/) - [Peppol release documentation](https://docs.peppol.eu/)