‍What is an electronic invoice?

An electronic invoice is actually a piece of computer code. It is difficult for humans to read, but software programs (such as invoicing tools or accounting packages) can read and process it perfectly. And just that is the secret of e-invoices: because they can be read directly by software, they can be processed faster, saving time and money.

Easily readable e-invoices thanks to Billtobox

Thanks to Billtobox, e-invoices are automatically converted into readable PDF files, making them easy to understand and check. Below you can see how Billtobox visualizes an e-invoice.

‍

Examples of e-invoice formats

There are different formats of electronic invoices. Some examples:

• UBL: Universal Business Language
• PEPPOL BIS: Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line Business Interoperability Specifications
• Factur-X, also known as ZUGFeRD in Germany
• Finvoice (Finland)
• EHF: Elektronisk Handelsformat (Norway).
• e-FFF: e-Formaat Factuur Financieel (Netherlands)
• EDIFACT: Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce, and Transport
• Facturae (Spain)
• CII: Cross Industry Invoice (international)
• FatturaPA (Italy)
• etc

Within a country or an industry, people often choose a particular standard. This ensures that companies can easily exchange invoices among themselves. As can be seen from the list above, several countries in Europe have taken a different standard for e-invoicing. Belgium has chosen the EN 16931 standard which is a UBL format according to the Peppol BIS specifications. It is the most common standard in Europe.

‍

Billtobox: universal support for all e-invoice formats

And what about all the other formats? Billtobox, known internationally as Banqup, operates in more than 30 countries, mainly in Europe. The advantage of Billtobox is that it can read all these different e-invoice formats and convert them to readable versions, so you don't have to worry about them.

‍

Billtobox is a Peppol access point.

‍

Conclusion: the future of e-invoicing in Belgium

From Jan. 1, 2026, electronic invoicing will become mandatory for all business-to-business transactions in Belgium, with the Peppol standard as the chosen standard. Although e-invoices are technical, they offer huge advantages in that software can easily process them, saving time and money.

‍

Billtobox converts these e-invoices to readable PDF files and supports various e-invoice formats. This makes it easy for businesses to deal with various formats without problems.

The transition to electronic invoicing, supported by reliable software such as Billtobox, means a more efficient, faster and cost-saving future for companies in Belgium and abroad.

‍

Start with Billtobox today and be prepared for 2026!