What is Peppol?
Peppol is an international network and set of standards for sending e-invoices and other procurement documents directly between businesses' software. Each business connects through an accredited service provider, which exchanges documents with the other side's provider. Governments in Europe and Asia-Pacific, including Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan, use it for e-invoicing.
Also calledPan-European Public Procurement Online
Compare the softwareBest indirect tax software →All 9 tax and compliance vendors →
- Governed by
- OpenPeppol, Brussels
- Model
- Four-corner network
- Used in
- Europe and Asia-Pacific
How Peppol works
Peppol uses a four-corner model. The supplier's software sends the invoice to its access point, which finds the buyer in the Peppol directory and delivers it to the buyer's access point, which passes it into the buyer's software. Supplier and buyer can use different providers. OpenPeppol, a non-profit association under Belgian law, maintains the specifications, and national Peppol authorities accredit providers, among them the Australian Taxation Office, IMDA in Singapore and the Digital Agency in Japan. Belgium has required e-invoices between VAT-registered companies to go through Peppol since 1 January 2026. Singapore is phasing in InvoiceNow, its Peppol network, for GST-registered businesses from November 2025, reaching all of them by 2031. Xero sends and receives Peppol e-invoices in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
Common questions
Is Peppol the same as e-invoicing?+
No. E-invoicing is sending invoices as structured data that software can read. Peppol is one network and standard for doing it; some countries run their own government platforms instead.
How does a business join Peppol?+
Through an accredited Peppol service provider, often built into its accounting software. The provider registers the business's Peppol ID in the directory so others can send it invoices.
Which countries require Peppol?+
Belgium, for invoices between VAT-registered businesses since January 2026, and Singapore, for GST-registered businesses in phases. Australia, New Zealand and Japan have adopted Peppol as their national e-invoicing framework.
Software that sends and receives Peppol e-invoices
XeroCloud accounting for small businesses with a large app ecosystem.Profile →
FonoaGlobal indirect tax determination and e-invoicing through one API.Profile →
AvalaraSales tax and VAT automation with filing across 190 countries.Profile →
PennylaneReal-time accounting platform connecting businesses with their accountants.Profile →Part of Accountio’s accounting technology coverage · Glossary
