Digital invoicing, also known as e-invoicing, is becoming more and more common in countries throughout the world, with business processes such as sending/receiving payments able to be carried out remotely.
Digital invoicing automates and simplifies invoice processing, thereby reducing time and cost. Invoices can be generated by data extraction from relevant sources which can then be validated prior to electronic distribution.
This avoids the need for document scanning and can also generate automated prompts for accounting record classification. Automation also ensures that details such as invoice number, due date, amount etc. are always correct.
One customer posts hundreds of invoices per minute and automates around 95% of the invoices they receive from their suppliers.
What are the advantages of Digital Invoicing?
Time saving
Reduced costs
Automation
Faster payments
Reduced carbon footprint
Legal requirement
How does it work?
Have a watch of the video below to find out.
Blog
An introduction to Digital Invoicing
Have a read of this blog post as we have a closer look at digital invoicing, and how businesses – especially companies involved in transactions in multiple territories – can become ‘e-invoicing ready’.
Country Regulations
We are highly experienced in working with European companies, helping them manage the diverse accounting regulations.
2026
Domestic B2B structured eInvoicing mandatory from 1 Jan 2026 via Peppol; B2C excluded.
2027
Stabilisation / enforcement ramp; watch ViDA impacts for cross-border in later years.
2028
Same baseline; potential extension toward eReporting depending on EU trajectory.
2029-2030
EU-driven evolution (ViDA) likely to be the main driver, not new Belgian format changes.
Important update: The French government announced on 28th July 2023 that it was decided to postpone the implementation of the system, scheduled for 1st July 2024, to allow sufficient time for this reform to be a success. The date of the postponement will be defined as part of the work to adopt the Finance Act for 2024. Therefore, the below dates are subject to further change.
2024
1st July
• All companies subject to VAT in France must be able to receive e-invoices starting 1 July 2024.
• Mandatory issuance of e-invoices and e-reporting for enterprises: 1 July 2024
2025
1st January
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (a workforce of less than 5000, and annual sales of less than 1.5bn or a balance sheet total of less than 2bn)
• SMEs and small enterprises (fewer than 250 employees and annual sales of less than 50m or a balance sheet total of less than 43m)
The French Tax Authority (DGFIP) has announced its intention to make e-invoicing and e-reporting compulsory, read our blog post to understand what this means and who will be affected by the changes.
2026
Reception capability already required from 2025; by 2026 most firms should be operationally receiving EN 16931 eInvoices.
2027
Phased issuing begins for large businesses (per EC summary).
2028
Issuing for all businesses by 2028 (per EC summary).
2029-2030
Consolidation; potential alignment with broader EU digital VAT measures.
2014
Through the Exchange System (SDI) the Central PAs receive invoices in electronic format
2015
From 31 March 2015, the service was also extended to local PAs.
The ES is the national infrastructure for e-invoice to the PA
2016
The service for invoice generation, transmission and storage is online.
Single Schema for electronic invoicing (B2G, B2B & B2C)
2017
The Exchange System is ready for B2G & B2B
2018
From 1 July 2018, electronic invoicing for automotive fuels and suppliers ofprivate contractors to PP.AA is mandatory
2019
Electronic Invoicingis mandatory from 1 January 2019 (B2G,B2B, B2C)
From 18 April 2019, the Central PAs receive and manage electronic invoice inEU 16931 format
2015
Introduced digital invoicing for B2G
2024
In 2024 companies with a turnover of more than 8m Euros are likely to start having to comply
2026
Two parallel tracks: (1) B2G Facturae ongoing; (2) B2B mandate depends on final Royal Decree; draft foresees phased start and invoice-status reporting requirements;
2027
If the Royal Decree is published, first wave would apply earlier to >€8m turnover entities, then later to the rest (per draft).
2028
Ongoing rollout for remaining taxpayers if decree published in prior years; invoice-status reporting becomes materially important.
2029-2030
Mature B2B regime expected once implementing regulation is live; anticipate interoperability governance + platform ecosystem as key operational factors.
2026
Still largely voluntary outside NHS programmes; NHS continues Peppol adoption via procurement/operational programmes.
2027
Regime design period (standards, onboarding, SME support) following 2025 consultation response.
2028
Implementation preparation; likely staged adoption planning.
2029-2030
Mandatory e-invoicing for all VAT invoices from 2029
This is the ideal time to consider your readiness for e-invoicing, particularly with regards to AP and AR automation. Also, despite mandatory e-invoicing being a government-driven policy, it can also bring material benefits to businesses. Not least, the fact that data is sent directly to a buyer’s AP system means that invoices can be logged, processed and approved in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional invoicing processes.
More generally, if you can demonstrate to business partners that you are equipped with e-invoicing capabilities at an early stage, it helps demonstrate your commitment to hassle-free billing and invoice management: a potentially valuable selling point in the current climate.
Looking to futureproof your accounting processes to accommodate new ways of invoicing?
Speak to Millennium Consulting
Why choose Millennium?
We have the knowledge and experience needed to design, implement, optimise and support an appropriate solution for your organisation.
Advisory
We provide strategic advice, identifying the systems and processes that would benefit from updating/automation.
Implementation
We deliver end-to-end project solutions, helping you adapt to continuous change to achieve competitive advantage.
Complementary software
Our experienced team can implement additional complementary software to enhance your system.
Ongoing support
We provide individually tailored support either as part of a formal plan or on an ad-hoc basis as required.
Contact us for further details
If you would like to learn more about how digital invoicing can enhance your business process or a demo of MDI then please contact us, we are always happy to help.