The documentation section provides structured access to reference materials, legal frameworks, implementation guides and practical tools to support the adoption and deployment of eInvoicing across the EU. It is intended for any user interested in electronic invoicing and involved in the design, implementation or compliance with the European standard on electronic invoicing.
European legislation on eInvoicing
This section outlines the legal framework for eInvoicing within the EU, centered on Directive 2014/55/EU, which mandates the adoption of a common European standard for electronic invoicing in public procurement. It details the Directive’s scope and obligations, explains how Member States have transposed it into national law, and examines its interaction with other key legislative instruments, including the Public Procurement Directives. Links to the full legislative texts are provided for reference.
Processing electronic invoices
This section describes the different methods public entities can use to process eInvoices upon receipt, including examples of both automated and manual workflows. It outlines acceptable processing practices, such as system-to-system integration and converting structured invoices into visual formats for human review. Additionally, it offers guidance on maintaining auditability, traceability, and data quality throughout the processing phase.
eInvoicing regulatory timeline
This section provides a chronological overview of the key regulatory milestones for eInvoicing in Europe. It covers the adoption of Directive 2014/55/EU, the development and publication of the European standard for electronic invoicing (EN 16931), and the compliance deadlines for central and sub-central authorities. The timeline offers valuable context for stakeholders monitoring the evolution of eInvoicing policy and its implementation across the EU.
eInvoicing Implementation Checklist
This section outlines the main steps for the implementation of eInvoicing at the national or organisational level, based on the guidance developed by the European Multi-Stakeholder Forum on eInvoicing (EMSFEI).
Interoperability of eInvoicing
This section explores the various dimensions of interoperability in eInvoicing—legal, organizational, semantic, and technical. It explains how each layer supports the seamless and reliable exchange of invoice data across different systems, sectors, and borders. It also introduces the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) and provides examples of how semantic models, syntax standards (UBL and CII), and transport protocols support end-to-end interoperability in practice.
EMSFEI’s key deliverables
This section provides access to the main outputs of the European Multi-Stakeholder Forum on eInvoicing (EMSFEI), which played a key role in monitoring and supporting the implementation of eInvoicing across the EU. Links to reports, implementation guidelines, recommendations and analysis developed by the forum are also available.