Croatia is scaling up its digital fiscalization with Fiscaliztion 2.0, a major reform that mandates real-time e-invoicing and e-reporting for B2B transactions. Starting January 1, 2026, all VAT-registered businesses will be required to exchange electronic invoices and report them in real-time to the Croatian Tax Authority. This represents a significant step toward a fully digitized, data-driven VAT system, comparable to Continuous Transaction Controls (CTC) models already implemented in countries such as Italy, France, and Poland.

For companies operating in or with Croatia, this means that invoice processes, systems, and partners must be ready for fully structured, real-time compliant e-invoicing.

Real-time Compliance Under Fiscalization 2.0

The new legislation introduces a clearance-based e-invoicing model, where invoices are fist validated by the tax authority before being delivered to recipients. Starting in 2026, companies will be required to:

• Send and receive structured e-invoices (XML, EN 16931) for B2B transactions
• Report all invoice data in real time to the Tax Authority
• Report received payments monthly, by the 20th
• Use certified providers supporting AD4, Peppol or EDI

This new law replaces the previous Cash Fiscalization Law and significantly expands its scope, including:

• B2B: mandatory e-invoicing and real-time reporting
• B2C: All receipts must be reported electronically, regardless of payment method
• M2G: already mandatory since 2019 via the national eRačun platform

A Connected e-invoicing ecosystem: Peppol, AMS & National Clearance

To ensure interoperability, Croatia is implementing a decentralized model that works with certified service providers and a national AMS (Addressing & Metadata Service). What this means for companies:

• Every organization must register preferred formats, protocols, and identifiers in the AMS directory
• Invoice senders automatically retrieve recipient information via the AMS
• The tax authority validates invoice data before delivery to the recipient

Companies already using Peppol or EDI can onboard much faster under this new Croatian model.

Implementation timeline for Croatia’s e-invoicing mandate

From September 1, 2025 – Test Phase

A test environment will be available for companies, ERP vendors, and e-invoicing providers to test workflows, fiscal digital signatures, real-time reporting, and AMS registration.

January 1, 2026 – Mandatory e-invoicing for VAT-registered entities. 

All VAT-registered businesses must issue and receive e-invoices for domestic transactions. The obligation to receive invoices also applies to:

• Businesses
• Sole proprietors and freelancers
• State administration
• Local government units
• Budgetary and extrabudetary entities

B2C transactions are also included under the fiscalization fules from this date.

January 1, 2027 – Full adoption

By this date, all governmental and non-VAT-registered budgetary entities must also be able to issue e-invoices.

Why this matters for global supply chains

As European countries move forward real-time digital tax compliance, paper documents, manual checks, and error-prone processes are becoming obsolete. For supply chains, suppliers, and logistics partners, this shift offers:

• More consistent invoice data
• Improved traceability across the supply chain
• Faster payments and fewer disputes
• Full visibility for auditors and tax authorities
• Better intigration between systems and partners

Companies that adopt a robust international e-invoicing solution early can reduce risks and operational burden.

How SPS Commerce supports compliance in Croatia and beyond

With thousands of global trading partners, a proven cloud performance, and strong connectivity to national and international e-invoicing networks, SPS Commerce provides everything businesses need to smoothly transition to Croatian compliance.

SPS supports:

• Peppol, AS4, and EDI connectivity
• Integrated e-invoicing workflows for AR and AP
• Automatic validation and real-time tax reporting
• ERP system integration
• Scalable partner onboarding

With an international compliance architecture already active in multiple CTC countries, businesses are better positioned for a smooth digital transformation.

Conclusion

Croatia’s 2026 e-invoicing mandate represents a major step towards greater transparency, stronger compliance, and a fully digital tax chain. Companies that start preparing now – through integration, provider selection, and process alignment – will be well-positioned when the mandate takes effect. With modern, globally connected e-invoicing architecture, SPS Commerce helps organizations not only stay compliant but also operate smarter, faster, and more efficiently across the entire supply chain. Don’t hesitate to contact us to see where we can help.

After some delays, the Peppol e-invoicing system is being put in place in Belgium for all transactions, including B2B, in January 2026. Let’s zoom on the Belgian e-invoicing regulations.

Overview

As of 2022, the Flemish government has reached their e-invoicing goals. This means that government entities are required to utilize e-invoicing under the European Directive 2014/55/EU. Since 2017, the Flemish government has required e-invoices from all of its suppliers.

On January 31, 2025, an agreement was reached on the formation of a new Belgian federal government. The coalition agreement includes significant tax policy changes aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and competitiveness. A key VAT measure in the agreement is the introduction of near real-time reporting, which is scheduled to begin in 2028. This initiative, designed to combat VAT fraud, will complement the mandatory e-invoicing requirement that will come into effect on January 1, 2026.

If you do not have the appropriate software yet, the Belgian tax authorities have shared a list of potential software solutions that can help you. There are various types of software available: software that can only send e-invoices, software that can send and receive e-invoices, and software that can also immediately process the e-invoices in your accounting system. List of compliant software applications is available on this website.

B2G E-Invoicing

Business-to-government e-invoicing is mandatory since March 1, 2024, except for contracts under the threshold of 3,000 euros (subject to exception). All public authorities must be able to receive e-invoices and select public authority suppliers are required to send their invoices in the specified electronic format (PEPPOL BIS).

End-to-End E-Procurement

Vlaanderen, the official gateway for the Flemish government, indicated that the Flemish government’s approach is a commitment to fully digital processing of public procurement and related processes: end-to-end e-procurement. Since 2015, the Flemish government has ruled that all businesses must be able to receive e-invoices.

The Introduction of B2B E-Invoicing in Belgium

Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem has reached an agreement in the Council of Ministers on the mandatory introduction of digital invoicing (e-invoicing) between businesses starting from January 1, 2026. While this requirement already applies to invoices provided to the government, Minister Van Peteghem ensures that as of January 1, 2026, structured electronic invoices will also become the standard for transactions between taxable companies.

In a word, Belgian VAT-registered businesses will be required to exchange structured e-invoices directly between their systems through a regulated standard. Belgium chose the European EN 16931 standard, as for B2G e-invoices, and relies on the Peppol network to achieve this transition.

To go further

In July 2024, the Belgian Federal Public Service Finance has published new guidelines for the transition to B2B e-invoicing. According to it, the obligation for structured electronic invoicing will almost always apply to transactions between two Belgian companies subject to VAT.

There is no obligation to send structured electronic invoices for:

• Bankrupt VAT taxpayers
• Companies only carrying out transactions exempted by Article 44 of the VAT Code
• VAT payers not established in Belgium without a permanent establishment
• Flat-rate VAT payers (Article 56 of the VAT Code, extinct by January 1, 2028 at the latest)

There is no obligation to be able to receive structured electronic invoices for:

• Companies carrying out only transactions exempted by Article 44 of the VAT Code
• There is no obligation to send or receive structured electronic invoices if the transaction is exempted by Article 44 of the VAT Code.

The government has opted to utilize the European PEPPOL network for this new development. When a company joins this network, it automatically connects with all other participants in this network. This network is already in use in many other EU member states.

Conclusion

2026 will be a year of e-invoicing implementation in Europe, Belgium is no exception, as we have to prepare for the next big step of 2030 with ViDA.

To make sure you remain compliant with all international regulations, you have to chose a provider that can support you across all countries. SPS Commerce offers comprehensive solutions to help you stay ahead of all regulatory changes. Contact us today to know more about our e-invoicing offerings.

In light of the upcoming e-invoicing reform, we’d like to give you an overview of the French e-invoicing system. Read this blog to find out why e-invoicing has become a hot topic in France, and how it will help fight tax fraud and streamline transaction processes.

Final Calendar of the Law

The vote on the reform has been punctuated by numerous postponements, and we’ll be updating this blog regularly to keep you informed of the latest developments.

E-invoicing reform is not a new topic in France, where e-invoicing between businesses and governments (B2G) will be mandatory by 2020. Now, the French government has called for a standardized e-invoicing system for all transactions (B2B, B2C), both sales and purchases.

On July 28, 2023, the French government issued a press release announcing a further delay in the implementation of e-invoicing, without giving further details. It was only later that the new timetable was unveiled with the amendment of October 17, 2023, with the key dates of September 2026 and September 2027 for a staggered rollout to businesses according to their size. This timetable was approved with the new Finance Law in December 2023 and will not change.

A final thunderclap in the fall of 2024 with the announcement of the withdrawal of the PPF (the Administration’s Platform) implies a reorganization of the Y-scheme as well as the role of the PA (previously PDP), but does not go back to the staggered timetable voted in 2023. This reorganization requires companies to choose a platform to comply with the new regulations by September 2026. We detail the points of the Reform and its obligations below.

Here is how the Reform will work with the removal of the Public Portal.

What are the next steps?

• 2025: Delivery of directory and launch of pilot for in-depth testing. The PAs have received temporary registrations and some are already connected to the state administration
• September 1st, 2026: Issuing of e-invoices for large companies – Reception of e-invoices mandatory for everyone
• September 1st, 2027: Issuing of e-invoices for SMBs and small companies in September

Wondering where your business fits in?

The government has put various tools in place to help you understand the system better. You can fill out a quick questionnaire on the impots.gouv.fr website. And for a general overview, here are the official categories:

– SMEs are defined as a workforce of fewer than 5,000 people and annual sales of less than €1.5 billion or a balance sheet of less than €2 billion.

– Small businesses are defined as a workforce of fewer than 250 people and annual sales of less than €50 million or a balance sheet of less than €43 million.

The deadlines are rapidly approaching, and it’s never too early to start to prepare, even if your company falls into the small business category, as you will need to be able to receive electronic invoices as of September 1, 2026. 

We’re continuing to take part in the various discussions to help you make the transition to electronic invoicing, stay tuned for the latest news on e-invoicing in France and get ready for 2026!

Introduction

Among postponements and deliberations, this long-term work initiated by the government involves many actors, including service providers like SPS Commerce. Interoperability across different e-invoicing platforms has been a high-priority focus of the group.  A Peppol authority, taken over by the French government, has been set up to facilitate this exchange.

With this new initiative, the government is aiming to combat VAT fraud and make transaction processes more efficient.

Context

The European Union and the European Commission want to simplify and facilitate business-to-business (B2B) relations. The extension of the electronic invoicing requirements for domestic transactions between VAT taxpayer companies, as well as non-domestic B2B transactions, have given rise to e-invoicing. In 2022, there had been 4 million French businesses subject to VAT, 96% of which will be small businesses.

There are 4 main objectives to this mandate:

• Limited VAT fraud
• Limited constraints between companies (thanks to real-time transactions between suppliers and customers)
• Transparency to government authorities
• Use of new technologies

What to expect

Businesses will have to send electronic invoices for their business-to-business transactions – this is known as “e-invoicing”. The second part, known as “e-reporting”, concerns invoicing data that do not fall within the scope of e-invoicing, but which remain transactions subject to VAT.

To be compliant, companies will have to go through an approved third-party commercial partner platform, “Plateforme Agréée” (previously “Plateforme de Dematerialization Partenaire” (PDP)). Indeed, in October 2024, the government decided to withdraw its platform (the Portail Public de Facturation), giving greater weight to the platforms registered with the government – see graph above.

Plateforme Agréée (PA)

A PA is an intermediary between a supplier and a customer. PAs are the only platforms that can transmit electronic invoices directly to their recipients AND transmit the data to the authorities. They now play a central role in the Reform and must ensure that data integrity, authenticity and completeness are maintained. PAs will be registered by the administration and will also play an internal role, such as managing a directory. And yes, SPS Commerce supports both B2G and B2B e-invoicing requirements in France, we are registered under number 0010.

E-Invoicing Formats

All French e-invoicing providers will need to ensure that UBL, CII, and Factur-X (the three main French e-invoice formats) are supported. Additionally, PDF invoices can be created, but cannot be scans – if you’re at all familiar with e-invoicing, this is nothing new.

Next steps

If you are a company that is subject to VAT in France, these laws concern you. However, you have nothing to worry about if you choose to use a service provider that meets all compliancy requirements (like SPS Commerce). And, if you choose to become a customer of SPS Commerce, you can take comfort in knowing that not only are you meeting all regulations, but you can also easily digitalize all your business processes.

Questions? Feel free to reach out. We’re more than happy to help!

Context

Like other European countries, one of the main reasons that e-invoicing has been established in Poland is to prevent tax fraud, although this is only the latest of several precautions the country has already taken. As of now, Poland has already implemented monthly VAT reporting, electronic financial analysis, and an online fiscal cash register system for monitoring transactions (in the retail sector). Now, with the introduction of electronic invoicing, Poland will be one step closer to eliminating VAT tax fraud.   

B2G E-Invoicing in Poland

B2G e-invoicing is already mandatory in Poland. All public authorities must be able to receive e-invoices via the country’s national e-invoicing platform, the PEF. The PEF is used for B2G e-invoicing between private companies and government entities in public procurement. Public authority suppliers are not required to submit their invoices electronically, but many suppliers opt to do this voluntarily by choosing a service provider that serves as a PEPPOL Access Point, such as SPS Commerce.

The PEF was first introduced in 2019 and since then, all sub-central Polish public entities are required to register on this platform in order to be able to recieve e-invoices. The PEF supports the sending and receiving of e-invoices, as well as other transactional documents in a standardized XML format. The platform consists of two PEPPOL Access Points implemented by service providers.

B2B E-Invoicing in Poland

In Poland, B2B e-invoicing transactions have been allowed but voluntary since the beginning of 2022 and will only become required as of July of 2024. The EU has granted Poland provisional permission to impose mandatory B2B e-invoicing from February to April 2026.

On August 7, 2023, the President of Poland signed the Act of June 16, 2023 amending the Polish VAT Act and several other acts. This law confirms the date previously announced by the Ministry of Finance for the introduction of the new e-invoicing format. The Polish Ministry of Finance has published on April 4th, 2024 a summary of the proposed legal options for the revised Polish e-invoicing mandate “KSeF”.

Currently, KSeF is a voluntary solution – you can choose whether to issue a structured invoice in KSeF or as before (on paper or electronically, e.g. in a PDF file). As of February 1st, 2026, the following applies:  

• • From February 1, 2026, e-invoicing will be mandatory for businesses with annual sales exceeding PLN 200M (approximately 46M EUR) 
  • From April 1, 2026, the requirement will extend to smaller businesses, mandating them to use the government run e-invoicing clearing system.  
  • Entities whose monthly revenue does not exceed PLN 10.000 will be allowed to switch to e-invoicing by December 31, 2026.  

The requirement to send and receive structured e-invoices will not apply to foreign entities in Poland, nor to entities that do not have a permanent establishment but rather are registered purely for VAT purposes in Poland. These taxpayers can continue to issue invoices based on the existing rules (either electronically or in paper form), and voluntary electronic invoicing via KSeF will remain possible for them.   

Standards and technical requirements 

Poland uses the standard format (EN 16931) and PEPPOL BIS Billing 3.0. Given that invoices are compliant with EN16931 and PEPPOL BIS Billing 3.0, all registered Polish public entities should be able to receive electronic invoices from other PEPPOL-connected entities.  

Taxpayers need an ERP system that combines their financial records with the KSeF portal through the PEPPOL-certified API to process and exchange e-invoices in Poland.  

Conclusion

Poland is moving towards full digitalization of invoicing. While participation in KSeF remains voluntary until early 2026, businesses should not delay preparation. The system will become mandatory in phases starting February 2026, with full coverage by April 2026.  

Companies operating in Poland should ensure their accounting systems, internal workflows, and compliance processes are ready to connect with KSeF ahead of time to avoid disruptions once the mandate takes effect.  

A Landmark Achievement
Being featured in these prestigious reports underscores our commitment to leading the e-invoicing revolution. The Billentis reports are renowned for their comprehensive market analysis and insights into the future of electronic invoicing and tax compliance. This inclusion is a testament to our innovative solutions and our dedication to transforming traditional supply chain and invoicing processes.

The E-Invoicing Journey in France
The French report of the Billentis report, published in collaboration with the “Forum National de la Facture Électronique et des Marchés Publics Électroniques (FNFE-MPE)”  details the country’s advancements towards mandatory e-invoicing. France has been a pioneer in adopting digital invoicing solutions, and the report highlights the critical milestones and regulatory frameworks that are shaping the market. Our solutions have been instrumental in helping businesses in France comply with these new requirements, ensuring seamless and efficient invoicing processes.

Germany’s E-Invoicing Evolution
In Germany, the journey towards e-invoicing is equally transformative. The report, published in collaboration with the “Verband elektronische Rechnung (VeR),” outlines the country’s regulatory landscape and the technological innovations driving the market. Our cutting-edge solutions have positioned us as a key player in Germany’s e-invoicing ecosystem, enabling businesses to navigate the complexities of tax compliance and digital transformation.

Key Insights from the Reports
• Market Growth: The reports project significant growth in the e-invoicing market, with increased adoption rates driven by regulatory mandates and the need for efficient, paperless processes.
• Technological Innovations: Emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI, and machine learning are set to revolutionize e-invoicing, offering enhanced security, automation, and data analytics capabilities.
• Regulatory Compliance: Understanding and complying with country-specific regulations is crucial. The reports provide detailed timelines and guidelines for businesses to stay ahead of compliance requirements.

Our Role in the E-Invoicing Revolution
Our continued inclusion in the Billentis reports is a moment or recognition for us. It reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and customer success. We continue to invest in developing robust solutions that not only meet regulatory standards but also drive business efficiency and growth.

Looking Ahead
As we move forward, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the e-invoicing space. We are excited about the future and the opportunities it holds for us and our clients. Together, we will continue to lead the charge towards a fully digital, compliant, and efficient invoicing ecosystem.

To access the full studies, please visit the following links:
• Billentis report France 2025 (in French)
• Billentis report German 2025 (in German)

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey with us. Together, we are shaping the future of e-invoicing.

Seamless Integration with Leading ERP Systems

SPS Commerce’s e-invoicing solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of leading ERP and accounting systems. This includes systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics and others. The solutions are built to be compatible with these platforms, ensuring a smooth and efficient integration process.

You can benefit from the latest technology without having to change the way you work – that’s the power of our seamless integration. Here is how we do it:

Pre-Built Connectors

To facilitate quick and efficient integration, SPS Commerce offers pre-built connectors for many popular ERP and accounting systems. These connectors simplify the integration process by enabling direct communication between the e-invoicing solution and existing systems.

Technical teams on both sides save time and energy; our connectors reduce the need for extensive customization and accelerate the implementation timeline.

Custom Integration Services

Of course, if your company has specific needs, you can go beyond our pre-built connectors.

For organizations with unique or complex systems, SPS Commerce offers custom integration services. Their team of experts works closely with the organization to understand its specific requirements and develop customized solutions that fit seamlessly into the existing infrastructure.

This ensures that the e-invoicing system is fully compatible with the organization’s processes and workflows, while remaining compliant with all regulatory requirements.

Comprehensive Data Mapping

SPS Commerce ensures that all relevant data fields from existing ERP and accounting systems are accurately mapped to the e-invoicing solution. This comprehensive data mapping ensures that all necessary information is captured and transferred correctly, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring data integrity.

This is the foundation of our work. If the data isn’t mapped correctly, the entire ecosystem is at risk.

Robust Testing and Validation

To ensure that these mappings work properly, SPS Commerce performs thorough testing and validation before going live to ensure that the integration works correctly.

This includes testing data flows, verifying compliance with regulatory requirements, and ensuring that all system interactions work as expected. This rigorous testing process helps identify and resolve potential issues before they impact operations.

Ongoing Support and Maintenance

SPS Commerce provides ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that the e-invoicing solution continues to run smoothly after integration. This includes regular updates, troubleshooting assistance, and access to a dedicated support team.

By providing ongoing support, SPS Commerce helps organizations quickly address any issues that may arise and maintain optimal system performance. We pride ourselves on having local teams that are fully dedicated to your business needs and are available to answer your questions in French, Dutch or German!

Training and Resources

To ensure a smooth transition, SPS Commerce provides training and resources for your staff. This includes documentation, webinars, and hands-on training sessions to ensure that employees are comfortable using the new e-invoicing system. By equipping employees with the necessary knowledge and skills, SPS Commerce helps minimize disruptions and ensure a successful integration.

By leveraging these strategies, SPS Commerce ensures that its e-invoicing solutions seamlessly integrate with existing ERP and accounting systems, allowing organizations to maintain efficient operations and minimize disruptions.

Which European countries will mandate e-invoicing for B2B transactions in 2025 and 2026?

E-invoicing regulations are rapidly evolving across Europe, with several countries introducing mandatory electronic invoicing for B2B transactions in the upcoming years. In 2025, countries such as Germany, Latvia, and Greece are set to mandate e-invoicing for B2B transactions. In 2026, other European nations are expected to follow suit, including France, Poland, Croatia and Belgium. Staying updated on these regulations is crucial for businesses operating within these regions to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties.

Compliance for organizations in both in-land and cross-border business transactions

Global supply chain has a lot of regulatory complexities. Different countries have varying regulations and standards that businesses must comply with, including trade laws, tariffs, and import/export restrictions. Navigating these regulations requires a deep understanding of each jurisdiction’s legal requirements. While e-invoicing systems cannot resolve every challenge, it can be programmed to ensure that invoices meet the specific regulatory requirements of different countries, including tax laws and invoicing standards.

There are three main components of e-invoicing that governments regulate: the creation of a compliant e-invoice, the exchange of e-invoices through compliant channels, and the compliant archiving of e-invoices. Each country has its own specifications and rules, which sometimes (but not always) overlap. Which e-invoice format is right for you when exchanging invoices with your foreign business partners? How do you organize the exchange of e-invoices between offices of the same company that are located in different countries? Keep in mind that this is a very dynamic industry and regulations are changing rapidly around the world. Do you have trusted resources to keep up with the latest changes? And perhaps one of the most important questions – how can you adapt your processes to e-invoicing with maximum regulatory coverage at optimal cost?

E-invoicing significantly simplifies compliance with both in-land and cross-border transactions. By automating the invoicing process, companies can ensure that their invoices are accurate and adhere to the regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction they operate in. This not only reduces the risk of errors but also ensures that businesses remain compliant with the varying tax laws and invoicing regulations across different countries. E-invoicing facilitates seamless and transparent transactions, which are essential for maintaining good business relationships and avoiding legal complications.

Enhance Even the Most Complex Supply Chain

It is important to remember that e-invoicing is not a legal or accounting domain, but a holistic, streamlined process that helps address issues such as logistical challenges, lack of supply chain visibility, and inefficient cost management. Many supply chain teams are looking to improve the efficiency of the entire chain, and e-invoicing can be the key technology to address a number of business objectives. It plays a critical role in improving the efficiency of these supply chains. By digitizing the invoicing process, companies can achieve faster processing times, reduce manual errors and improve cash flow management. In addition, e-invoicing provides real-time visibility into the status of transactions, enabling companies to manage their supply chains more effectively and respond quickly to disruptions. This digital transformation ensures that supply chains are more resilient, agile, and able to meet the demands of modern commerce.

SPS Commerce as your e-invoicing provider, all around the globe

When it comes to e-invoicing, having a reliable and experienced provider is crucial for ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. SPS Commerce offers comprehensive e-invoicing solutions that cater to businesses of all sizes and industries. With a global presence and expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments, SPS Commerce ensures that your invoicing processes are streamlined and compliant with local and international regulations. We support data-driven partnerships with innovative cloud technology, customer-obsessed service, and accessible experts so our customers can focus on what they do best. Over 45,000 recurring revenue customers in retail, grocery, distribution, supply, manufacturing, and logistics have chosen SPS as their retail network.

This blog explores how these technologies impact the daily life of a Sales Director, highlighting the benefits and challenges they bring.

Streamlining Order Processing

EDI and e-invoicing have revolutionized the way orders are processed. For a Sales Director, this means faster and more accurate order fulfillment. EDI enables the seamless exchange of documents such as purchase orders, invoices, and shipping notices between trading partners.

This automation reduces manual data entry, minimizes errors, and accelerates the order-to-cash cycle. As a result, Sales Directors can ensure that their teams process orders more efficiently, leading to improved customer satisfaction.

Enhancing Data Accuracy and Visibility

Accurate and real-time data is crucial for a Sales Director to make informed decisions. EDI and e-invoicing provide enhanced data accuracy by eliminating manual entry errors and ensuring that all documents are standardized.

This improved accuracy leads to better visibility into sales operations, inventory levels, and customer orders. Sales Directors can access real-time data to monitor performance, identify trends, and make strategic decisions that drive business growth. Plus, it’s easy to integrate an analytics tool into the process for real-time data analysis.

Improving Customer Relationships

Timely and accurate invoicing is essential for maintaining strong customer relationships. E-invoicing streamlines the invoicing process by ensuring that invoices are generated and delivered promptly. This reduces payment delays and disputes, leading to improved cash flow and customer satisfaction. For Sales Directors, this means fewer customer complaints and a stronger focus on building long-term relationships and loyalty.

Ensuring Compliance with Regulations

Sales Directors must navigate a complex landscape of regulatory requirements, especially when operating in multiple regions. EDI and e-invoicing solutions are designed to ensure compliance with various regulations, including tax laws and e-invoicing mandates. These solutions automate compliance checks, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.

Sales Directors can have peace of mind knowing that their invoicing processes are in line with legal requirements. This will reassure the customer and provide a better outlook for the future, encouraging the renewal of commercial agreements.

Reducing Operational Costs

By automating repetitive tasks and reducing the need for manual intervention, EDI and e-invoicing help lower operational costs. These technologies reduce the need for paper-based processes, minimize errors, and decrease the time spent on administrative tasks.

For Sales Directors, this translates to cost savings that can be reinvested in strategic initiatives, such as expanding sales teams or enhancing marketing efforts.

How SPS Commerce Can Help

At SPS Commerce, we understand the challenges faced by Sales Directors and offer comprehensive EDI and e-invoicing solutions designed to streamline their operations.

Our solutions ensure data accuracy, enhance visibility, improve customer relationships, and ensure compliance with global regulations. By partnering with SPS Commerce, Sales Directors can confidently navigate the complexities of modern sales operations and drive business success.

Navigating the complexity of e-invoicing regulations

CIOs must ensure that their organizations comply with a myriad of e-invoicing regulations that vary widely by region. Mainly, these regulations require invoices to be submitted to tax authorities in a timely and accurate manner. The challenge is to integrate these requirements into existing systems and processes without disrupting the supply chain.

The advent of ViDA (VAT in the digital age) will help standardize VAT across the European Union, but it will not be implemented until 2030. For this reason, we advise companies to set up systems that are as close as possible to the legal requirements and that work with the Peppol network. In fact, this type of decentralized model will be the European standard, and the network is also used internationally for the exchange of electronic invoices.

Improving Supply Chain Efficiency

Improving supply chain efficiency is one of the key responsibilities of CIOs and operations managers. This includes streamlining processes, reducing cycle times, and ensuring that orders are fulfilled on time. Electronic invoicing can streamline these processes by reducing paperwork and manual processing and minimizing errors, but it also requires robust systems and extensive employee training.

To improve efficiency, it’s best to choose an agile system that allows multiple technologies to be integrated into an existing system, as we explain below.

Managing Technology Integration

The integration of new technologies, including e-invoicing systems, is a major challenge for CIOs. They must ensure that these new technologies integrate seamlessly with existing ERP and accounting systems. This requires careful planning, investment, and coordination between different departments to ensure optimal operation and minimal disruption.

Choosing a solution provider that already has many solid partnerships with different ERPs will help you make the right choice. Seamless integration that requires no effort from your teams will ensure a quick and efficient implementation.

Ensure data security and compliance

With e-invoicing, data security and compliance have become paramount. CIOs and operations managers must implement stringent security measures to protect sensitive financial data. E-invoicing systems must comply with data privacy regulations in addition to all traditional legal requirements, adding another layer of responsibility to their functions.

They must also adapt to an ever-changing environment. They must keep pace with industry trends, technological advances and regulatory changes. E-invoicing is just one aspect of this dynamic landscape that requires constant attention and adaptation to ensure compliance and efficiency.

How SPS Commerce Can Help

At SPS Commerce, we understand the challenges faced by CIOs and COOs. We offer solutions designed to streamline their operations. Our comprehensive e-invoicing solutions ensure compliance with international regulations, improve supply chain efficiency and enhance data security.

By partnering with SPS Commerce, organizations can confidently navigate the complexities of modern supply chain management and e-invoicing.

The European Commission is determined to fight tax fraud and unify the tax reporting process across European countries, so it has come up with the ViDA (VAT in the Digital Age) proposal to support this will. This blog article is here to keep you updated on the latest developments and votes and is going to be updated on a regular basis.

ECOFIN

It is useful to know that discussions around ViDA occurs during the ECOFIN Council, usually once a month, the latest has been held on January 21^st 2025, now under the Polish Presidency.

The main objective will be to “meet the challenge of the EU’s declining competitiveness”. The Polish Presidency wants to achieve a stronger economy by streamlining the single market.

As far as our ViDA subject is concerned, ECOFIN validated the three pillars of the proposal on November 5, 2024, under the Hungarian presidency. A compromise satisfactory to all 27 member states was reached after months of negotiation.

On March 12, 2025, The European Commission has approved new measures to modernise the EU’s VAT system.This means that EU member states can introduce mandatory e-invoicing under certain conditions.

On February 12, 2025, the European Parliament approved the draft Council directive amending Directive 2006/112/EC as regards VAT rules for the digital age. The draft requires final political approval from Council of the European Union. The report on the draft Council directive amending Directive 2006/112/EC as regards VAT rules for the digital age ia availble here.

The 3 Pillars of ViDA

As we’ve developed an article on the most common questions about ViDA, this section is going to focus on a more technical point of view with the specific rules that are discussed during the council.

To summarize, ViDA is developed around 3 main pillars:

Electronic Invoicing and Reporting (DRR)
As ViDA aims to fight tax fraud and reduce the VAT Gap, the proposal implements the so-called DRR – Digital Reporting Requirements – to get a real-time view on invoices that are exchanged cross-border in the EU.This first pillar implies a common standard (EN16931) for the e-invoices that are going to be issued, with specific information that should appear within the invoice.

Online Platforms
This part is targeting short-term accommodation rental and passenger transport through platforms (e.g. Uber or AirBnB).With the new rules, “Member States should put at the disposal of the taxable persons the necessary means for such transmission”. It will simplify the process for SMEs and individual service providers. Finally, it is promoted as “fairer” in regard to small companies that may have a heavy administrative burden related to their tax collection.

Single VAT Registration
The One Stop Shop (OSS) will represent the decentralized model that is considered for ViDA. It will allow a Single VAT Registration number, simplifying administrative work for companies who will register only once to fulfill their VAT obligations all over Europe.

What is changing

• E-invoicing is becoming the default system
  • But States can have other invoicing means for domestic transactions
• Standard EN16931 is mandatory to issue e-invoices
  • Hybrid formats should be accepted as well
• E-invoices must be issued 10 days max after the sale

• VAT reporting will occur through the DRR for cross-border supplies of goods and services
  • It needs to happen in real time
• Domestic transactions are not (yet) ruled by the EU VAT Directive

What are the deadlines

The European Commission has approved new measures to modernize the EU’s VAT system. This means that EU member states can introduce mandatory e-invoicing under certain conditions.

From January 1, 2027, there are expected small clarifications impacting those using the One-Stop-Shop schemes (OSS and IOSS).

From July 1, 2028, the Single VAT Registration elements come into effect:

• Extension of the OSS schemes
• Mandatory reverse charge for non-identified suppliers

From July 1, 2030, the Digital Reporting Requirements measures coming into effect – main impact on businesses making cross-border B2B supplies.

By July 1, 2035, the deadline for aligning domestic digital real-time transaction-based reporting obligations with the EU-system.

Why is it so important

As we developed the topic on previous blogs, we are putting forward the main goals communicated by the EU:

• Harmonize the EU’s VAT rules
• Reduce administrative work for companies
• Reduce the VAT Gap
• Increase the VAT accuracy

SPS Commerce, as an international service provider, can only encourage you to switch to e-invoicing now. Trusting one of the leaders on the market will help you be compliant with all VAT regulations, may they be local, international or in construction such as the ViDA proposal.