Am I affected by the Peppol mandate?
If you are a freelancer or self-employed professional (zelfstandige / indépendant) registered for Belgian VAT, the answer is yes. Since January 1, 2026, all B2B invoices between Belgian VAT-registered businesses must be sent and received via the Peppol network.
Types of freelancers affected
The mandate covers all self-employed professionals, including:
- Consultants and business advisors
- IT professionals and developers
- Graphic designers, photographers, and creatives
- Accountants and bookkeepers
- Lawyers and legal professionals
- Medical professionals with a VAT number
- Translators and interpreters
- Coaches, trainers, and educators
What about the VAT exemption regime?
If you operate under the small enterprise VAT exemption (vrijstellingsregeling / régime de franchise) with turnover below €25,000 per year, you are still registered for VAT and must comply with the Peppol mandate. The exemption only covers VAT charging — it does not exempt you from e-invoicing obligations.
What changes for freelancers
Sending invoices
Instead of creating a PDF and emailing it to your client, you now need to send a structured electronic invoice via Peppol. With DEMFACT, this process is just as easy as before — you create your invoice in the same way, and the platform handles the Peppol transmission automatically.
Receiving invoices
You must also be able to receive Peppol invoices from your suppliers. When a supplier sends you an invoice via Peppol, it will arrive in your DEMFACT inbox as structured data that you can view, download, and forward to your accountant.
Record keeping
Peppol invoices must be stored electronically for the legal retention period of 7 years. DEMFACT automatically archives all sent and received invoices, ensuring you meet this requirement without any additional effort.
Benefits of e-invoicing for freelancers
Time savings
As a freelancer, your time is your most valuable resource. Peppol e-invoicing eliminates manual invoice processing, saving you an estimated 15 to 30 minutes per invoice. If you send 20 invoices per month, that is up to 10 hours saved every month.
Faster payments
E-invoices are processed faster by your clients because the data flows directly into their accounting system. Studies show that businesses using Peppol receive payments 5 to 10 days faster on average compared to those sending PDF invoices.
Fewer errors
No more wrong VAT numbers, miscalculated totals, or missing payment references. DEMFACT validates every invoice against Belgian rules before sending, ensuring your invoices are always correct and compliant.
Professional image
Using Peppol shows your clients that you are professional, technologically up-to-date, and compliant with the latest regulations. It builds trust and credibility.
Simplified accounting
All your invoices are stored digitally in a structured format, making it easy to share them with your accountant. No more scanning paper invoices or searching through email attachments. Your accountant can access your DEMFACT data directly through the accountant access feature.
How to get started as a freelancer
Step 1: Create your account
Sign up at demfact.com. Choose the account type that matches your situation — DEMFACT supports sole proprietorships, partnerships, and companies. Registration is free and takes less than 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add your company
Enter your company or sole proprietorship details: legal name, address, VAT number, and bank account. DEMFACT will validate your VAT number automatically through the VIES system.
Step 3: Register on Peppol
Navigate to the Peppol section and complete your registration. DEMFACT connects you to the Peppol network through our certified Access Point. Your Peppol ID will be your VAT number, making it easy for clients to find you.
Step 4: Send your first invoice
Create an invoice, select your client, add your line items, and click send. DEMFACT generates the UBL XML, transmits it via Peppol, and provides you with a delivery confirmation.
Costs and pricing for freelancers
DEMFACT is designed to be affordable for freelancers:
- Pay As You Go: no monthly fee, pay only when you send an invoice. Ideal if you send fewer than 5 invoices per month.
- Essentials (€6.99/month): unlimited invoices, Peppol included. Perfect for freelancers who invoice regularly.
- Professional (€14.99/month): all features plus AI-powered financial insights, expense tracking, and advanced reporting.
All plans include Peppol sending and receiving at no additional cost. There are no setup fees, no hidden charges, and no long-term commitments.
Working with your accountant
Accountant access
DEMFACT includes a built-in accountant access feature. You can invite your accountant to view your invoices directly in the platform, eliminating the need to export and send files manually.
Export options
If your accountant prefers to work with their own software, DEMFACT allows you to export your invoices in multiple formats: PDF, UBL XML, and CSV. All data can be exported with a few clicks.
DEMFACT: built for Belgian freelancers
DEMFACT was created specifically for the Belgian market. Every feature — from VAT calculations to structured communication, from Peppol integration to multilingual invoices — is built with Belgian regulations in mind. Create your free account today and join thousands of Belgian freelancers who have already made the switch to Peppol e-invoicing.
