E-Invoicing and VAT: What global businesses need to know
Robin Prince · Posted on: December 10th 2025 · read
Our recent webinar underscored that e-invoicing is no longer a future consideration but an imminent compliance and operational priority across Europe.
Far from being a simple PDF exchange, e-invoicing involves structured, machine-readable data integrated directly with ERP systems, delivering benefits such as VAT fraud reduction, real-time tax reporting, and significant efficiency gains.
Key trends and mandates:
- Global movement: Countries are converging on structured e-invoicing to enhance tax compliance and automation.
- Upcoming deadlines:
- Belgium: Mandatory for B2B transactions from 1 Jan 2026, with PEPPOL BIS format and a short tolerance period.
- Poland: KSeF system rollout – large taxpayers by Feb 2026, all others by Apr 2026.
- France: Phased implementation starting Sept 2026, with dual e-invoicing and e-reporting obligations.
- UK: Full mandate from 1 Apr 2029, covering all VAT-registered businesses under a decentralised PEPPOL-based model.
Business impact:
Non-compliance risks operational disruption and reputational damage, as clients increasingly demand assurance of readiness. Beyond tax, e-invoicing affects procurement, finance, and IT workflows, making cross-departmental collaboration essential.
Strategic actions recommended:
- Conduct impact assessments and map affected jurisdictions.
- Review ERP and invoicing systems for structured data compatibility.
- Engage technology partners with multi-country expertise (e.g., Ecosio’s scalable, fully managed solution).
- Implement training and change management to embed new processes.
Why act now:
With mandates approaching and complexity increasing, early preparation ensures compliance, minimises disruption, and positions businesses for efficiency gains and digital transformation.
