In 2026, Belgium will make e-invoicing mandatory for most local B2B transactions performed by Belgian companies or fixed establishment of foreign companies , with fiscal incentives kicking in as early as 2025. While this may seem like another administrive burden, the opposite is true.
From cost savings to improving operational efficiency, complying with the regulatory requirements of e-invoicing is more than just ticking a box: it’s a way to seize opportunities and gain a competitive edge.
In what ways can e-invoicing benefit your business? How can you prepare for this transition and what are the challenges ahead? Time for a closer look!
Less mistakes, more savings, a smoother way of working
With e-invoicing, your company can vastly improve its processes and almost achieve real-time accounting and reporting. Just think about the less manual input, paperwork and resources needed to perform these time-consuming tasks. Thanks to automation, there’s less room for errors while shortening the gap between your approval and processing times. Reducing costly delays and boosting your cash flow.
E-invoicing doesn’t just benefit your business in the short term, it can also serve as a step-up to more long-term strategic improvements.
- You’ll gain valuable business insights thanks to real-time accounting and payment data, enabling you to make better-informed decisions around payment terms and cash flow.
- You’ll be able to meet increasing reporting and audit demands from various Tax authorities.
- The reduced labour, paper and postage costs add up over time, keeping your costs down in the long run and reducing your ecological footprint.
- Your relationships with your suppliers improve thanks to faster payments and more streamlined processes.
What’s the catch?
While the advantages are clear, transitioning to a fully-functioning e-invoicing process can be quite complex. Here are four elements to keep in mind before you start your transition.
E-invoicing doesn’t just benefit your business in the short term, it can also serve as a step-up to more long-term strategic improvements.
- The first thing is the adaptability and change that comes with e-invoicing. As with every adjustment in your company, implementing new workflows and getting your teams up to speed takes some time. Keep your employees in the loop, train them and provide careful planning for the introduction of this new process.
- Besides your employees, you should also take into account your partners’ platforms. Make sure your e-invoicing platform can seamlessly communicate with theirs to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Of course there’s also the compliance aspect. As the regulations on e-invoicing are still constantly evolving, staying informed about any changes is crucial to make this transition successful.
- Lastly, linking your e-invoicing platform to an existing ERP like SAP, Business Central or NetSuite can be challenging. However, it’s an essential step in the process to bring your transition to e-invoicing to a successful conclusion.
How to get started with e-invoicing?
One of the first things to do when preparing for e-invoicing is to check your current invoicing processes. With an internal assessment, you can identify inefficiencies, helping for a smoother transition. As E-invoicing benefits every department of your company, it’s also important to involve all your teams (finance, procurement, management) to maximise the value of this process.
For a smooth and seamless integration into your business strategy, the support of external experts can be a big plus. Thanks to BDO’s multidisciplinary expertise (Accounting, Tax, Digital) we can optimise and digitise your processes from A to Z. Always in a personal, pragmatic way and with your wishes, needs and current way of working in mind.
Conclusion: E-Invoicing as a Catalyst for Growth
Besides the mandatory aspects, e-invoicing is an opportunity to modernise your processes, save money, and improve your supplier relationships.
By preparing early, you can overcome challenges and position your business for long-term success.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact e-invoicing@bdo.be for an assessment of your current invoicing process and start unlocking the full benefits of e-invoicing.