Connecting To Peppol

Connecting to Peppol enables your organization to exchange electronic documents with millions of businesses and government entities worldwide. The connection process is straightforward and typically completed within 1-2 weeks.

Choose Access Point

Select a certified Peppol Access Point provider that matches your business needs, budget, and technical requirements.

Get Registered

Your Access Point provider registers your organization in the Peppol network using your unique business identifier.

Start Exchanging

Begin sending and receiving electronic invoices and other business documents through the secure Peppol network.

Connection Methods

Ways to Connect to Peppol

There are multiple approaches to establish your Peppol connection, each suited to different business sizes and technical capabilities.

Direct Integration Methods

Choose the connection method that best fits your organization's infrastructure and technical resources.

Via Accounting Software

Best for: Small to medium businesses using cloud accounting platforms. Most modern accounting systems (Exact, Twinfield, AFAS) have built-in Peppol connectivity. Simple activation through your existing software.

Standalone Access Point

Best for: Organizations needing flexibility or using multiple systems. Subscribe to a dedicated Access Point service with web portal access. Connect via API or manual upload/download.

ERP Integration

Best for: Large enterprises with SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics. Direct integration modules available from major ERP vendors or specialized integration partners. Full automation of document workflows.

Service Provider Platform

Best for: Businesses outsourcing invoice processing. Use platforms from accountants, bookkeepers, or specialized service bureaus. They handle Peppol connectivity and processing on your behalf.

Not Sure Which Method to Choose?

Most small to medium businesses start with their accounting software's built-in Peppol functionality. If you send fewer than 100 invoices per month and use modern accounting software, this is typically the most cost-effective option. For higher volumes or complex integrations, consider a dedicated Access Point or ERP integration.

Implementation

Step-by-Step Connection Process

A comprehensive guide to getting your organization connected to Peppol, from initial preparation to sending your first invoice.

Phase 1: Preparation & Selection

What You'll Need

Business Identifier: Your Chamber of Commerce number (KVK), VAT number, or other official registration number
Technical Contact: Person responsible for system integration and testing
Current Systems Inventory: List of accounting, ERP, or invoicing software in use
Volume Estimate: Expected number of documents per month (invoices, orders, etc.)
Budget Allocation: Connection and monthly operational costs (typically €25-150/month)

With these prerequisites in place, you're ready to select an Access Point provider. Compare offerings based on:

Pricing Structure

Monthly fees, per-document charges, setup costs. Some providers offer unlimited plans, others charge per transaction.

Integration Options

Does it connect with your existing software? API availability, plug-ins, or manual processing options.

Support Services

Implementation assistance, technical support availability, training resources, and documentation quality.

Additional Features

Archiving, reporting dashboards, multi-format support, validation tools, or value-added services.

Phase 2: Registration & Configuration

Typical Timeline: 3-5 Business Days

Sign Agreement: Complete contract with chosen Access Point provider, including service level agreements
Provide Business Details: Submit official business identifiers and contact information
Network Registration: Provider registers your Peppol identifier in the SMP (Service Metadata Publisher)
Configure Systems: Set up integration between your software and the Access Point
Certificate Installation: If required, install security certificates for encrypted communication

Phase 3: Testing & Go-Live

Typical Timeline: 3-7 Business Days

Test Environment: Send test documents to validate format compliance and routing
Internal Workflow Testing: Verify documents flow correctly through your systems
Partner Testing: Exchange test documents with key trading partners if possible
Production Cutover: Switch from test to production environment
First Real Transaction: Send your first live Peppol invoice
Monitoring: Track initial transactions closely for any issues

Pro Tip: Start Small

Don't switch all invoices to Peppol immediately. Begin with 5-10 key customers who are already Peppol-enabled. This allows you to iron out any workflow issues before scaling up. Most organizations achieve full rollout within 1-2 months of initial connection.

Requirements

Technical & Business Prerequisites

Understanding what you need before starting your Peppol connection journey.

Legal & Administrative Requirements

Official Business Registration

You must be a legally registered entity with a Chamber of Commerce number (KVK), VAT number, or equivalent official identifier. Sole proprietors and partnerships are eligible.

Valid Contact Information

Current business email address and phone number for administrative correspondence. This contact will receive notifications about registration status and technical updates.

Authorization Documentation

Some providers require proof that you're authorized to represent the company. This might include articles of incorporation, director's authorization, or power of attorney.

Technical Prerequisites

Compatible Software

Accounting, ERP, or invoicing system capable of generating structured data. Most modern software (post-2018) supports UBL or similar formats.

Internet Connectivity

Stable internet connection with HTTPS support. Most Access Points communicate via secure web protocols. Minimum bandwidth: 1 Mbps.

Security Compliance

Ability to work with TLS 1.2 or higher. If integrating via API, capability to handle OAuth2 or similar authentication protocols.

System Access Rights

Administrative access to configure integrations, install certificates, or modify firewall rules if necessary for API connections.

Investment

Costs & Return on Investment

Understanding the financial aspects of connecting to Peppol and the business case for investment.

Typical Cost Structure

€

Setup Costs

€0 - €500
One-time connection fee. Many providers waive this fee or include it in annual contracts. ERP integrations may cost €1,000-5,000.

€

Monthly Subscription

€25 - €150/month
Base platform fee for Access Point service. Higher tiers include additional features, support, or document volume allowances.

€

Per-Document Fees

€0.05 - €0.50
Transaction charges vary by provider and volume. High-volume customers often negotiate fixed-price unlimited plans.

€

Optional Services

€50 - €200/month
Advanced archiving, premium support, custom reporting, or additional integrations may incur extra charges.

Return on Investment

The business case for Peppol is compelling. Most organizations achieve positive ROI within 3-6 months:

Average Savings Per Invoice

Sender: €6.60 savings (reduced from €9.00 to €2.40)
Receiver: €11.20 savings (reduced from €15.00 to €3.80)
Combined: €17.80 per invoice transaction

Example ROI Calculation (100 invoices/month)

Annual Peppol costs: €600 subscription + €600 per-document = €1,200
Annual savings: 1,200 invoices × €6.60 = €7,920
Net benefit: €6,720 annually
ROI: 560% return on investment
Payback period: Less than 2 months

Beyond direct cost savings, organizations benefit from faster payment cycles (average 10 days faster), reduced errors (95% fewer disputes), and improved cash flow management.

Troubleshooting

Common Challenges & Solutions

Addressing typical obstacles organizations encounter during Peppol connection and how to overcome them.

Legacy Software Incompatibility

Issue: Older accounting systems can't generate UBL format.
Solution: Use conversion service or web portal for manual upload. Consider software upgrade if processing >50 invoices/month.

Customer Not Peppol-Enabled

Issue: Your customers haven't connected to Peppol yet.
Solution: Most Access Points support hybrid sending (Peppol + email). Encourage customers to connect by highlighting their savings potential.

Security & Firewall Issues

Issue: Corporate firewall blocks API connections.
Solution: Work with IT to whitelist Access Point IP addresses and allow HTTPS traffic on required ports. Most providers offer detailed network requirements.

Staff Training & Adoption

Issue: Team resistance to new processes.
Solution: Start with pilot group of 2-3 power users. Document workflow changes. Most users adapt within 1-2 weeks with proper training materials.

Document Validation Errors

Issue: Invoices fail Peppol validation checks.
Solution: Common causes: missing mandatory fields, incorrect formats, invalid identifiers. Use provider's validation tools before sending. Most platforms offer pre-send checking.

Identifier Lookup Failures

Issue: Can't find recipient's Peppol identifier.
Solution: Ask customer directly for their Peppol ID. Use directory lookup tools (peppol.eu). Verify scheme code (e.g., 0106 for Dutch KVK, 9944 for Dutch VAT).

Need Help? Don't Struggle Alone

Most connection issues are resolved within 24-48 hours with proper support. Choose an Access Point provider with responsive technical support (email, phone, chat). During implementation, schedule regular check-ins with your provider's onboarding team.

Resources

Tools & Support for Connection

Essential resources to help you successfully connect to Peppol and optimize your implementation.

Connecting To Peppol | Peppol.now