eInvoicing Documentation
DIGITALeInvoicingSend and receive electronic invoices compliant with the European standard on eInvoicing
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What is eInvoicing?
eInvoicing is the electronic exchange of an invoice document between a supplier and a buyer. An eInvoice is an invoice that has been issued, transmitted and received in a structured data format which allows for its automatic and electronic processing, as defined in Directive 2014/55/EU.
Cost reduction
Being an automated invoicing tool, eInvoicing reduces processing costs and operational services.
Faster payment
By removing the need of manually reading and entering information, eInvoicing lessens administrative burdens and time-to-payment for individual invoices.
Boosting B2G eProcurement
eInvoicing helps companies manage their contracts in any EU country, making public procurement businesses more appealing for everyone.
Facilitating cross-border trade
The timely and automatic processing of companies’ invoices in the EU facilitates cross-border trade operations between countries.
How to start using the solution
Check the requirements for your type of user: Public Entity, Supplier or Solution Provider.
Get familiar with the eInvoicing Directive(opens in a new tab) and the European Standard in your own country.
Implement your solution, with the provided documentation and our team’s support.
Test the conformance of your service and start using it.
Who can benefit from eInvoicing
Public Entities
Public sector contracting authorities
Our services can help you start receiving electronic invoices from all across Europe.
Suppliers
Entities doing business using the European standard on eInvoicing
We can help you prepare and send electronic invoices compliant with European standards.
Service and Solution Providers
eInvoicing service and software providers
We can help you develop and deliver eInvoicing services and software that are compliant with EU standards.
Implementing eInvoicing
If you are ready to start working on your eInvoicing services, we are just as ready to help you. The links below provide important information to begin the implementation.
eInvoicing Directive
Directive of the European Parliament on electronic invoicing.
European Standard
European standard alignments to send and receive electronic invoicing.
Report of the eInvoicing Forum
Reports produced by eInvoicing Forum members.
Code Lists
Invoice information should be translated into specific codes to allow cross-border interoperability.
Validation Artefacts
Technical artefacts that allow to automatically validate whether an invoice complies with the standard’s rules.
Conformance Testing
Test your eInvoicing solution against the European standard on eInvoicing.
We can help you implement eInvoicing:
Backward evaluation
Preparatory study on the effects of the Directive 2014/55/EU on electronic invoicing in public procurement.
New uses
Report on the evolution of eInvoicing in the digital age.
Technical barriers
Report on technical challenges and barriers to eInvoicing in the EU.
eInvoicing in use
Maintenance of the country factsheets
Number of country factsheets updated in 2023.
Maintenance of the code lists
Number of updates to the full listing of code lists since 2022.
eInvoicing news
“The future of eInvoices is certainly on an upward trajectory in all segments, and now is our opportunity to use the acquired knowledge and practice for further affirmation of eInvoices and other eDocuments in supply chains. In Croatia, the majority of cross-border eInvoices from foreign suppliers are received via the Peppol network on the National Central Platform. Peppol facilitates interoperability, standardises invoice structures, and ensures compliance with EU regulations, enhancing the efficiency and compliance of eInvoicing practices in Croatia.”
Maja Radišić Žuvanić Head of Digital Economy Services, Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development
eInvoicing FAQ
Electronic invoicing is the exchange of an electronic invoice document between a supplier and a buyer. An electronic invoice (eInvoice) is an invoice that has been issued, transmitted and received in a structured data format which allows for its automatic and electronic processing, as defined in Directive 2014/55/EU.
The eInvoicing team aims at promoting the uptake and accelerating the use of eInvoicing in respect of the European standard, amongst both public and private entities established in the EU, as well as in participating EEA countries.
Public administrations are supported in order to comply with EU eInvoicing legislation, and helps service & solution providers adapt their services accordingly for Business to Government (B2G). However, eInvoicing can also be used to enable Government to Government communication (G2G) as well as in the private sector for Business to Business (B2B) transactions.
Business to Business (B2B) and Government to Citizen (G2C) or Business to Consumer (B2C) are not addressed in the context of the eInvoicing Directive.
Yes, you can use the conformance testing service described on the DIGITAL site on eInvoicing Conformance Testing.
If needed, the eInvoicing support team can forward you the example invoices by mail or use invoice examples from other sites:
- TC434 is using the Github service for maintenance and publication of validation rules and some other resources. On the first page you will also find links to the OASIS UBL and UN/CEFACT Cross industry invoice standards: https://github.com/CenPC434/validation Under the folders UBL/examples and CII/instances you will find sample files.
- Also the syntax binding specifications have sample xml as annexes.
- Another resource which can be used is sample files developed by the Swedish standardisation organisation Single Face To Industry.
Even if some documentation is in Swedish, the sample files could still be of interest.
The European Parliament and Council voted the Directive 2014/55/EU on electronic invoicing in public procurement (opens in a new tab) on 16 April 2014. This Directive calls for the definition of a common European standard on electronic invoicing (EN 16931) at the semantic level, and additional standardisation deliverables which will enhance interoperability at the syntax level.
Read more about the legislation and its implications:
Contact us and start your digital transformation
If you have any question regarding eInvoicing, feel free to contact us or join our user community for further discussion and support.
Juan Alvarez Onboarding Manager