🇧🇪 Belgium - Invoicing Specifications
Status: 🔴 B2B Mandatory (Jan 1, 2026) | 🟢 B2G Mandatory (Now) Authority: SPF Finances (Tax) / BOSA (Digital Transformation) Infrastructure: Peppol Network Only (No central gov platform for B2B)
1. Context & Roadmap
Belgium is executing a "Big Bang" reform. Unlike France or Spain (phased by size), the mandate hits all VAT-registered companies simultaneously.
| Date | Scope | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2024 | B2G | Mandatory for all public procurement > €3,000. |
| Dec 31, 2025 | Shutdown | "Hermes" platform (temporary email bridge) shuts down. |
| Jan 01, 2026 | B2B | Mandatory emission & reception via Peppol for all domestic B2B. |
| ~2028 | Reporting | Expected transition to 5-Corner model (e-Reporting to Gov). |
2. Technical Workflow (Peppol 4-Corner)
Belgium uses the pure decentralized Peppol model. The Government does not sit in the middle of the transaction (unlike Italy).
sequenceDiagram
participant S as Invoicerr (C1)
participant AP1 as Access Point Sender (C2)
participant AP2 as Access Point Receiver (C3)
participant R as Client Receiver (C4)
Note over S: Step 1: Lookup
S->>S: Query SMP (Directory)
Note right of S: ID: 0208:[EnterpriseNo]
Note over S: Step 2: Send
S->>AP1: Upload XML (BIS 3.0)
AP1->>AP1: Validate (Schematron)
AP1->>AP2: AS4 Transfer
AP2->>R: Ingest into ERP
3. Data Standards & Identifiers
A. Format: Peppol BIS Billing 3.0
- Description: Standard UBL 2.1.
- National Specs: No complex "National CIUS". It is very close to the standard European profile.
- Validation: Standard OpenPeppol Schematron rules apply.
B. Critical Fields (Mapping)
To ensure delivery, specific Belgian identifiers must be used.
| Business Term | Belgian Context | Peppol Path (UBL) | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiver ID | Numéro d'entreprise / Ondernemingsnummer | cbc:EndpointID | Scheme: 0208. Value: 10 digits (e.g., 0123456789). |
| Payment Ref | Communication Structurée (VCS) | cbc:PaymentID | Must follow +++123/4567/89012+++ format if used. |
| IBAN | Bank Account | cac:PayeeFinancialAccount/cbc:ID | Mandatory if payment is via transfer. |
4. Implementation Checklist
- Peppol Access Point: Invoicerr MUST be connected to a certified Peppol AP.
- Directory Lookup: Implement a check against the Peppol Directory using Scheme
0208. - Disable Email PDF: For Belgian B2B clients after Jan 2026, disable "Send via Email" and force "Send via Peppol".
- VCS Logic: Add a specific field or validator for the "Structured Communication" payment reference.
5. Resources
- Official Info: efacture.belgium.be
- BOSA (Peppol Authority): BOSA Digital
- Peppol Directory: directory.peppol.eu