Peppol-ready POS: CermePOS and the Belgian obligation (from 1-1-2026)
Short, clear and practical: what Peppol is, what is changing in Belgium and how a Peppol-ready POS system like CermePOS helps your business.
What is Peppol?
Peppol (Pan-European Public Procurement On Line) is
a network for the electronic exchange of business documents — such as invoices and order forms.
It ensures that invoices are sent between systems in a fixed, digital structure. This makes invoicing faster, less error-prone and more controllable.
Belgium: what will change on 1 January 2026?
From that date, B2B transactions will be subject to an obligation to use e-invoices, in accordance with the European standard EN 16931.
The Belgian government has designated Peppol as the standard method for transmission over the network. This applies to
for VAT-registered companies that invoice other companies in Belgium.
Why is this important for your POS?
If you process sales transactions with a POS and you create invoices for companies, your system must be able to create and send e-invoices in Peppol format from the deadline.
A POS that is ‘Peppol ready’, such as CermePOS,
can automate this process — less manual work,
Fewer mistakes and you comply with the law.
About CermePOS
CermePOS is a POS software package suitable for retail,
catering and wholesale. It offers features for
inventory management, customer management, and sales processing.
On the product page, CermePOS indicates that it is ready
for modern links and exchange of
digital documents, including Peppol invoicing.
Practical tips
Create test invoices via Peppol to verify the connection before the deadline.
Start now by making an inventory of which customers and suppliers are covered by the obligation.
Be aware of future steps, such as real-time
reporting that may follow later.
Ask your software vendor (e.g., CermePOS) for documentation and a timeline for Peppol support.
Checklist: is your POS ready?
- Does the system support sending and receiving structured e-invoices (EN 16931/ Peppol BIS)?
- Is a Peppol Access Point integrated or can your supplier provide this link?
- Can you archive and report invoices according to the new rules (audit trail)?
- Has your data (VAT numbers, address details) been checked and complete?
- Are employees informed and trained in the new working method?
Frequently asked questions about Peppol & B2B invoicing
As a restaurant, do I have to send e-invoices when I organize company dinners?
Yes, if your customer is a VAT-registered company (e.g. a company that books a business lunch), the Peppol obligation applies.
You can easily create an e-invoice via CermePOS that automatically complies with the Belgian B2B standard.
What if I sell to both consumers and businesses?
The Peppol obligation only applies to B2B transactions within Belgium.
For consumers (B2C), you can continue to use regular receipts or standard invoices. CermePOS supports both scenarios within one system.
As a butcher, I deliver to restaurants: do I have to e-invoice via Peppol?
Yes, as soon as you deliver to companies subject to VAT, you are obliged to send e-invoices via Peppol.
This applies to wholesalers, butchers, bakers and other suppliers to the hospitality industry. CermePOS can automatically generate a Peppol invoice based on the sales receipt or order.
How do I know if my customer is Peppol-ready?
You can look up in the Peppol register (Peppol Directory) whether a company is already connected.
Most Belgian companies will be connected by 2026. CermePOS helps with the control by verifying customer data when sending an e-invoice.
Can I combine Peppol invoicing with my accounting package?
Yes, CermePOS can export Peppol invoices or send them directly to common accounting software.
In this way, sales, administration and reporting remain aligned without double entry.
What happens if I don’t make the switch on time?
Companies that are unable to send e-invoices via Peppol after 1 January 2026 risk fines and administrative delays.
By switching to a Peppol-ready system such as CermePOS now, you avoid risks and benefit from faster invoicing.
Is Peppol also mandatory for foreign customers?
The Belgian obligation applies to transactions between VAT payers within Belgium.
For foreign customers, you can use other e-invoice formats, but Peppol is becoming mandatory in more and more EU countries, making it the safest choice.
Peppol obligation by country (EU)
A handy overview of EU countries where electronic invoicing via Peppol is already mandatory or will soon be introduced. Perfect for entrepreneurs who work B2B and want to prepare their POS system.
| Country | Status obligation | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
 Belgium | Mandatory for B2B transactions within Belgium | January 1, 2026 |
 Italy | Full commitment for B2B and B2G | 1 January 2019 |
 France | Phased introduction of B2B (first large companies) | From September 2026 |
 Netherlands | Mandatory for B2G; B2B still voluntary but recommended | From 2017 (B2G) |
 Germany | B2G mandatory; expansion to B2B planned | November 2020 (B2G) |
 Sweden | B2G mandatory via Peppol | April 2019 |
 Finland | B2G mandatory; B2B widely used | 2019 |
 Norway | Peppol is the national standard for all government invoices | 2019 |
 Spain | B2G mandatory; B2B commitment announced | Expected 2025 |
Why this information is important
More and more countries are adopting Peppol as a standard for e-invoicing. Entrepreneurs who are active in several EU countries (such as suppliers, catering companies or wholesalers) must know which rules apply. CermePOS ensures that your POS system is ready for this growing international
standard.
Sources: Peppol.nl, European Commission, national governments. Data verified October 2025.
