On July 1, 2026, our webinar, “Implementing E-Invoicing for 2026” focused on a topic that is currently at the forefront for many businesses: How can companies transition to e-invoicing in a legally compliant, efficient, and future-proof way?
Many organizations are currently asking the same questions:
- Does ViDA already apply to my business, and if so, when?
- Which legal requirements apply in the individual countries?
- How can existing invoicing processes be converted to e-invoicing without disrupting day-to-day operations?
- What role do formats and transmission methods such as Peppol, XML, or EDI play?
During the webinar, Klaus Schaffer explained the steps companies should take now to meet national and international requirements while building scalable e-invoicing processes for the future.
Current status – what’s happening across Europe?
Belgium, Poland, and Croatia launched their e-invoicing initiatives in 2026, with the first practical experiences already available. Spain will introduce its own solution, Veri*Factu, in 2027, while the final B2B requirements are currently being defined. France is about to launch its system, with Germany and Slovakia following in 2027. E-invoicing is therefore no longer a future topic, it has already become reality in large parts of Europe or will do so in the very near future.
Key takeaways
E-invoicing is more than a legal obligation
With the VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) initiative, the European Union is driving the digitalization of VAT reporting. Over the coming years, e-invoicing will become the European standard, although each country will implement its own national requirements. For internationally operating companies, this means managing different legal regulations, invoice formats, and transmission methods.
Focus on processes, not individual measures
A successful implementation starts long before choosing an invoice format. High-quality master data, well-defined business processes, and close collaboration between Finance, IT, and business departments are essential. Only when all stakeholders are involved can companies establish stable and future-proof processes.
Choosing the right formats and transmission methods
The webinar explained why interoperable solutions are essential for internationally operating companies, including Peppol, XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, EDIFACT and XML-based invoice formats.
E-invoicing as the first step toward digital transformation
Electronic invoicing is only one component of a fully digital business process. Companies that optimize their entire Procure-to-Pay (P2P) or Order-to-Cash (O2C) process can unlock significant additional efficiency gains.
Additional considerations for businesses
- Cross-border invoices are always subject to the respective national legislation. Foreign permanent establishments may create additional compliance requirements.
- Business partners increasingly expect standardized digital processes across national borders.
- For hybrid formats such as ZUGFeRD, the structured data set—not the PDF representation—is the legally binding document.
- Established standards such as EDIFACT remain fully relevant. Provided they contain all mandatory information required by the European standard EN 16931.
EDI Service & E-Invoicing Partners
As an EDI service provider, we support companies in implementing international e-invoicing requirements. Our services include:
- Analysis of country-specific requirements
- Integration of XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, and additional e-invoicing formats
- Conversion between existing EDI formats and national e-invoicing standards
- Integration with national platform models (e.g., France or Italy)
- Validation and monitoring of invoice processes
- Ensuring stable, compliant, and audit-proof operations
For further information, please refer to the European Commission’s e-Invoicing Country Factsheets
We are always happy to assist you.