As of 1 January 2026, all Belgian businesses, regardless of size, will have to switch to electronic invoicing. How can you prepare, and what will change? ING is anticipating this administrative requirement with its ‘Invoice Manager’ tool.
Sending a PDF invoice by e-mail is something of the past. From January 2026, only structured electronic invoices will be recognised, a national obligation that starts earlier than in our neighbouring countries. Today, electronic invoices can be integrated directly into accounting software, eliminating the need for manual input and the risk of errors. For both the company and the accountant, this is a digital leap that reduces the time spent on paperwork: “they will be able to concentrate more on value-added services rather than repetitive tasks”, stresses John Denutte, Head of Business Development & Sales Enablement at ING Belgium. The result? Significant time savings, smoother processes and simplified tax management, with VAT returns in near real time.
Peppol, the European network that secures exchanges
To ensure that exchanges run smoothly, Belgium is relying on Peppol (Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line), a secure European network that enables all businesses to communicate electronically, without worrying about compatibility between systems. Peppol operates on a ‘four-corner’ model: the sender and its access point, and the receiver and its access point.
This platform guarantees interoperability between different invoicing software packages and makes document transmission secure, while reducing the risk of error and fraud. So no matter what software a company's business partner uses, the electronic invoice flows seamlessly.
Invoice Manager, the tool by ING
To help entrepreneurs with this transition, ING has developed ‘Invoice Manager’, a tool integrated into its digital platform. Thanks to a partnership with Billit, the Belgian leader in electronic invoicing, users can create, send and track their invoices in just a few clicks, whether electronic, PDF or paper.
The system also offers automatic payment tracking, instant reconciliation of paid invoices, and reminders in the event of unpaid invoices. "Our ambition goes beyond simply managing payments. ING wants to position itself as a true partner for business growth. This is what we call beyond banking", explains John Denutte. For those less at ease with digital technology, ING provides tutorials, information sessions and personalised support.
In short, this new obligation is inviting businesses to review their methods, but above all to become more agile and efficient. Beci can help! Join us on 26 September for a training session dedicated to the new obligations of 2026. Register here: https://www.beci.be/event/la-facturation-electronique-1767/register