SEEBURGER
E-Invoicing Hub
Compliance guaranteed. Efficiency delivered.
Embrace e-invoicing: from invoice complexity to streamlined compliance
Organizations face a dual mandate regarding digital invoices: mandatory adherence to strict, changing global regulations and the urgent need to eliminate internal process inefficiency caused by manual handling. Key challenges for Finance and IT leaders are:
The global compliance imperative – your risks and the demanding deadlines
| Challenge | Impact & risk | Context of countries’ mandates |
| Evolving mandates | Regulatory environments increasingly demand verification and approval of transactions by government entities. | Mandatory deadlines are non-negotiable. France is required starting September 1, 2026. Other major deadlines include Belgium (01/2026), Poland (02/2026) and Spain (2027). |
| Change processes | E-invoicing mandates are not purely an IT matter. The whole organization needs to be ready for electronic invoicing. This requires enterprisewide change initiatives and proactive change management to keep pace with ongoing regulatory and process updates. | Complexity is a given. These mandates include e-invoicing, e-reporting, and mandatory often real-time lifecycle status updates, demanding deep technical readiness. |
The pitfalls of inefficient processing – costs and delay
The uncoordinated or manual processing of finally digital incoming invoices leads to increased costs, delays, and errors, severely burdening the accounting department.
| Pain Point | Resulting Inefficiency | Key Concern for Accounts Payable |
| Slow processes | Delays from initial receipt to final approval and seamless posting in the ERP system slow down the financial closing process. | Invoices get stuck waiting for verification and approval, causing bottlenecks. |
| High error rate | Manual review and entry increase the risk of Errors during verification and accounting, leading to payment delays and supplier friction. | Costly mistakes and potential fines from non-compliant data. |
The French mandate: where general challenges become specific hurdles
The French e-invoicing reform is a perfect example of how the abstract challenges of digitalization become urgent, concrete problems. The mandate’s “Y-Model” architecture, with its multiple platforms and data streams, magnifies every pain point for unprepared finance and IT teams. Here is how the general challenges you face translate directly to the French context:
The compliance imperative in France
Your risk isn’t just general; it’s tied to specific French components and non-negotiable dates.
| Evolving CTC mandate | The September 1, 2026, deadline is absolute. The mandate begins September 1, 2026, when large and medium companies must start issuing e-invoices and ALL companies must be able to receive them. The issuing mandate The entire system is built for government verification, forcing all data through the central PPF (Portail Public de Facturation) via a certified PA. |
| Maintenance burden | The French mandate is not one obligation – it’s four distinct, complex data flows that your IT team must build and maintain:
Beyond this fourfold complexity, it is the ongoing changes to formats and validation rules (and, where applicable, processes) that drive the continuous maintenance effort. In addition, the obligation to use a certified PA for other formats such as EDIFACT further increases the effort. |
The pitfalls of inefficient processing in France
Manual processes don’t just create delays; they are fundamentally incompatible with the mandatory digital flows in France.
| Slow processes | The Factur-X hybrid format is a prime example. An inefficient process sees only the PDF, forcing your AP team to print it or key it in manually. You completely lose the value of the embedded XML, creating the exact bottlenecks the mandate is designed to eliminate. Furthermore, a manual approval process cannot provide the mandatory, real-time lifecycle status updates, leaving your partners and the tax authority in the dark. |
| High error rate | Manually keying data from a Factur-X PDF into your ERP is a direct compliance risk. An error in a company’s SIREN number or a VAT calculation will lead to a formal rejected status, creating delays and supplier friction. The mandate demands data-first automation to ensure accuracy from the moment an invoice is received until it is posted and reported as paid. |
The solution: The SEEBURGER E-Invoicing Hub
The SEEBURGER E-Invoicing Hub provides integrated cloud services (SaaS) to fully automate your digital invoicing workflows while ensuring legal certainty. As a provisionally certified PA provider, we are your one-stop solution for the French mandate.
Connect seamlessly with our certified Peppol Access Point
As a certified Peppol Access Point with many years of experience, SEEBURGER’s E-Invoicing Hub provides a central, secure gateway to the global Peppol network. This network is increasingly essential for compliant B2B e-invoicing and e-procurement, acting as the default framework in many countries, such as Belgium. It is a key channel in France and Germany.
The SEEBURGER E-Invoicing Hub simplifies this connection, enabling you to easily exchange invoices, orders, and other procurement documents. It supports the latest Peppol Business Interoperability Specifications and leverages our deep expertise in the underlying AS4 protocol.
Beyond invoice delivery: true end-to-end automation in SAP
The SEEBURGER E-Invoicing Hub ensures compliant invoice delivery. Our SAP Add Ons ensure that invoice is processed with maximum efficiency inside your ERP. This is seamless, end-to-end automation. We embed our solution directly into your SAP ECC or S/4HANA environment to eliminate the manual, error-prone work that burdens your account payable (AP) team.
Full control and touchless processing
Our SAP-native solution gives your Accounts Payable team a single source of truth to manage the entire invoice lifecycle from receipt to payment.
The three foundational pillars of the SEEBURGER E-Invoicing Hub
Pillar
01
Global compliance
Stay ahead of global mandates. Effortlessly. Guaranteeing legal certainty in over 35 countries.
Eliminate the risk and complexity of evolving global E-Invoicing regulations. Your business stays compliant, secure, and futureproofed without the internal maintenance burden.
Pillar
02
Intelligent process automation
Turn your invoice process into a competitive advantage. Processing any incoming invoice format straight through to your ERP system.
Replace slow, manual, error-prone invoice handling with seamless, endto- end automation. This frees up your team, accelerates financial processes, and dramatically cuts costs.
Pillar
03
A single, unified platform
One Hub for every invoice. Simplifying your IT landscape and providing full transparency through unified monitoring.
Take advantage of one integrated SaaS solution for all your invoicing needs – inbound, outbound, and regulatory reporting. Gain complete visibility and control through a single, secure hub.
The SEEBURGER difference: competence, flexibility, and trust
We combine the agility of a specialized provider with the stability and deep experience of a global leader, offering a reliable, long-term partnership built on proven success.
| Deep & seamless ERP integration |
Capitalize on efficiency Eliminate the need for major, costly ERP implementation projects, saving time and resources. As long-standing SAP experts, we provide flawless integration into SAP ECC and S/4HANA via certified add-ons and adapters. Additionally, we offer deep and seamless out-of-the-box integration with other systems, including MS Business Central and many more. |
| Global expertise, local presence |
Partner with confidence Rely on unparalleled global experience while ensuring the solution understands the specific nuances of the French market. Over 700 successful E-Invoicing projects worldwide. Our dedicated SEEBURGER French team provides local expertise and support in French language. |
| Standardized and streamlined execution |
Experience speed and reliability Our commitment to standards enables us to deliver projects significantly faster than typical implementations. This speed ensures you meet critical timelines with confidence and avoid penalties. Our holistic, end-to-end methodology provides a structured “care-taker” approach, guiding you from initial concept to full, reliable execution. |
| Certified security and reliability |
Trust in proven compliance Our service Ensure security and data integrity, meeting high international certification standards. Leverage a high-security B2B Cloud operation in Germany, certified with ISO 27001 and ISAE 3402. PA status requires rigorous compliance checks. |
Tailored business benefits for your functional leaders
The E-Invoicing Hub, our deep and seamless ERP integrations and structured project approach delivers measurable, sustainable benefits tailored to the key concerns of your functional leaders.
The CFO’s view: it is all about risk, cost, and strategy
| The objective | How we deliver |
| Mitigated risk | We enable you to assure legal certainty across more than 35 countries. Our proactive maintenance team handles regulatory changes, safeguarding you from fines and legal issues from missed deadlines (e.g., France 2026). |
| Reduced operational costs | Automation we provide significantly reduces the manual workload for account payable as well as account receivable teams and eliminates errors, driving down the cost per invoice. |
| Accelerated financial close | We drastically reduce the time from invoice receipt to final payment. This improvement in process speed and accuracy ensures correct and timely posting of all relevant data, enhancing cash flow visibility. |
| Strategic investment | Use intelligent routing and, for the French mandate, PPF services to ensure efficient connectivity and optimize costs, making E-Invoicing a strategic operational efficiency tool, not just a compliance expense. |
Addressing CIO priorities: integration, security, and maintenance
| The objective | How we deliver |
| Eliminate maintenance burden | Our unified SaaS hub provides a fully-maintained solution. Our dedicated team handles all regulatory updates (Poland, France, ViDA, others), saving your IT team costly and timeconsuming Change Management cycles. |
| Simplified architecture | Replace a patchwork of point solutions with one integrated SaaS portfolio for global E-Invoicing, inbound automation, outbound delivery, and Peppol. The hub is powered by the proven SEEBURGER BIS Platform. |
| Seamless ERP integration | We ensure flawless connectivity to core systems like SAP ECC and S/4HANA, MS Business Central and others, using certified add-ons, eliminating complex integration projects. |
| Certified security and control | Our platform operates with ISO 27001 and ISAE 3402 certified security. Central monitoring and logging provide complete transparency and control over all data exchange processes. |
The agenda of the Head of Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR): workload, error rates, process bottlenecks
| The objective | How we deliver |
| Massive workload reduction | Stop chasing paper and PDFs. We automate your entire incoming invoice process, from receipt to posting, regardless of format (as PDF, UBL, Factur-X, and others), processing it straight through your ERP system. |
| Quality and accuracy | Automated validation and processing leads to the minimization of human errors, ensuring data quality and accurate bookkeeping. |
| Process acceleration | Achieve faster process cycles from receipt to posting and payment, reducing process bottlenecks and improving supplier relationships by reducing inquiries about invoice status and payment delays. |
Proven expertise in a fragmented landscape
VAT regulations, e-invoicing and e-reporting is a complex topic. We have the expertise, and we deliver the results.
1. Centralized clearance
Every invoice must be transmitted to a central government platform for validation before it is legally sent to the buyer. An invoice that doesn‘t pass through this gateway is legally void.
Exemplars: Italy (Sdl), Poland (KSef), Romania (RO e-Factura), Greece (myDATA).
2. Decentralized CTC
Relies on a network of accredited private service providers (e.g., PAs, Peppol Access Points) to manage invoice exchange. The government collects data from this network.
Exemplars: France („Y“ Scheme), Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway (Peppol-based), Germany.
3. Real-Time reporting (RTIR)
Separates the fiscal reporting from the commercial exchange. Businesses send invoices directly to customers but must simultaneously send a structured data report to the tax authority.
Exemplars: Hungary (Online Számla), Spain (SII system).
Selected countries’ mandates in a nutshell
The global landscape of e-invoicing mandates is complex and constantly evolving, so we’ve summarized a few key examples here for you. As you review these different models, rest assured that the SEEBURGER E-Invoicing Hub is your single, fullymanaged solution for guaranteed compliance in all these countries and across more than 35 others worldwide.
France
France is rolling out one of Europe’s most ambitious reforms, creating a dual system of mandatory B2B e-invoicing and e-reporting. The sophisticated decentralized model, known as the “Y” Scheme, represents a strategic publicprivate partnership, outsourcing technical challenges to a Plateforme Agréée (PA) while centralizing data collection for the state.
| Applies to: | All companies established in France and subject to VAT. |
| Transaction scope: | E-invoicing applies to all domestic B2B transactions. The parallel e-reporting obligation covers B2C sales and all cross-border B2B transactions. |
| Timeline: | The mandate begins September 1, 2026, when large and medium companies must start issuing e-invoices and ALL companies must be able to receive them. The issuing mandate extends to all remaining businesses on September 1, 2027. |
| Formats & transmission: | Accepted formats are UBL, CII, and the hybrid Factur-X. Direct exchange is prohibited; all transmissions must go through accredited PAs which report invoice data to the state’s central hub, the PPF. |
| Penalties: | A fine of €15 per invoice for e-invoicing non-compliance (capped at €15,000/year) and a fine of €250 per transmission for e-reporting failures (capped at €45,000/year). |
| Archiving: | A 10-year retention period is standard practice to cover the full statute of limitations for tax audits. |
Germany
Germany is introducing mandatory B2B e-invoicing via its Growth Opportunities Act with a notably cautious and long, phased timeline. This “soft approach” is designed to give businesses, particularly the vital SME sector known as the Mittelstand, ample time to adapt. The model is decentralized with no central platform, offering maximum flexibility.
| Applies to: | All German businesses engaging in domestic B2B transactions. Exemptions exist for small-value invoices (under €250) and transport tickets. |
| Transaction scope: | Domestic B2B transactions |
| Timeline: | The first mandatory step is on January 1, 2025, when all businesses must be technically capable of receiving e-invoices. Mandatory issuance is then phased in, starting January 1, 2027, for larger companies and becoming universal by January 1, 2028. |
| Formats & transmission: | Invoices must comply with EN16931. The most common formats are XRechnung (XML) and the hybrid ZUGFeRD/ Factur-X. There is no mandated channel; exchange can happen via email, APIs, private networks, or Peppol. |
| Penalties: | The primary consequence of non-compliance is the potential inability to deduct the associated input VAT. General fines for invoicing violations can also apply. |
| Archiving: | A strict 10-year retention period is required, compliant with the GoBD principles for digital documents. |
Belgium
Belgium is taking a “Big Bang” approach, mandating B2B e-invoicing for all businesses at once to combat its VAT gap. The reform builds on a successful B2G system and establishes the Peppol Network as the default framework, forcing the entire business ecosystem to modernize simultaneously and paving the way for a future e-reporting system.
| Applies to: | All Belgian-established taxpayers, including members of a single VAT group. Excludes B2C transactions, certain VAT-exempt B2B transactions, and nonestablished taxpayers. |
| Transaction scope: | Domestic B2B transactions |
| Timeline: | A universal go-live date of January 1, 2026. An initial grace period may be granted for companies showing genuine compliance efforts. A complementary near real-time e-reporting system is scheduled for 2028. |
| Formats & transmission: | Invoices must comply with EN16931 and use the Peppol BIS format. Peppol is the default transmission network, but direct EDI is permitted if the format is compliant. |
| Penalties: | Administrative fines begin at €1,500 for a first offense, rising to €3,000 and then €5,000 for subsequent violations of technical requirements. |
| Archiving: | A 10-year retention period is required for tax purposes, with special cases for immovable property extending to 15 or 25 years. |
Poland
Poland is set to implement a nationwide mandatory B2B e-invoicing system built around a centralized clearance platform known as the National e-Invoicing System (Krajowy System e-Faktur – KSeF). After several postponements, the mandate will now be phased in starting in 2026, aiming to tighten the VAT system and combat fraud.
| Applies to: | All taxpayers performing activities subject to Polish VAT, including foreign businesses with a fixed establishment in Poland. |
| Transaction scope: | The mandate covers all domestic B2B transactions. B2C invoices are outside the scope. |
| Timeline: | The rollout is staggered, beginning February 1, 2026, for large taxpayers (turnover > PLN 200 million) and extending to all other taxpayers by April 1, 2026. |
| Formats & transmission: | The required format is a national XML schema known as FA_VAT, which is based on the EN 16931 standard. All invoices must be submitted to the central KSeF platform for validation, which assigns a unique ID number and timestamp. |
| Penalties: | A strict penalty regime will be enforced from January 1, 2027. Fines can be up to 100% of the VAT amount shown on an invoice issued outside KSeF. |
| Archiving: | The KSeF platform will also serve as the official state archive, storing all cleared e-invoices for a period of 10 years. |
Spain
Spain’s digital tax landscape is one of the most complex in Europe, with several parallel systems running side by side. The mandatory B2B e-invoicing system under the “Crea y Crece” Law was approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers on 24 March 2026 and will follow a hybrid model combining interoperable private platforms with a public solution. This will run alongside the existing near-real-time VAT reporting system, SII, and the VERI*FACTU invoicing software rules.
| Applies to: | The B2B mandate covers companies and professionals in Spain for domestic B2B transactions. SII applies to monthly VAT filers, including large businesses above €6,010,121.04 turnover, REDEME taxpayers and VAT groups. VERI*FACTU applies separately to taxpayers using covered invoicing software, subject to regulatory exclusions. |
| Transaction scope: | The B2B mandate covers domestic B2B transactions. SII covers VAT ledgers for issued and received invoices. VERI*FACTU covers billing records generated and preserved through compliant invoicing systems. |
| Timeline: | Spain approved the B2B e-invoicing mandate on 24 March 2026. Rollout will begin after the forthcoming Ministerial Order: 12 months later for businesses with turnover above €8 million and 24 months later for all others. VERI*FACTU applies separately from January 1, 2027 for corporate income taxpayers and from July 1, 2027 for other affected taxpayers. |
| Formats & transmission: | The B2B model combines interoperable private platforms with a public solution. Structured e-invoices and invoice status information are core elements, with further technical details to follow. |
| Penalties: | Non-compliance with B2B e-invoicing obligations may lead to penalties under the applicable legal framework. SII penalties are calculated under separate VAT reporting rules. |
| Archiving: | The standard legal retention period for invoices and tax-related documents in Spain is 6 years. |
United Kingdom
The UK’s standards-led rollout favors incremental adoption over a new central gateway, positioning e-invoicing as control and automation rather than upheaval. Validation at source and structured handling strengthen VAT integrity, supported by status messaging that reduces disputes. Adoption is segmented, with accelerated paths for ERP-connected traders and supported options for smaller suppliers via Peppol access points and service providers. Clean master data remains the key success factor.
| Applies to: | Mandatory for all VAT invoices (B2B & B2G) |
| Transaction scope: | All B2B & B2G transactions including overseas companies with registered UK VAT |
| Timeline: | Universal go-live date of April 1, 2029 |
| Formats & transmission: | Invoices must comply with EN16931 and use the Peppol BIS format; Peppol is the default transmission network |
| Penalties: | Expected to be published at the Budged 2026 |
| Archiving: | 6-year retention period is required for tax purposes |
Netherlands
The Netherlands are aligning with ViDA through a phased program that couples EN16931-compliant e-invoicing with near-real-time, per-invoice reporting of intra-EU B2B supplies to the Tax Administration. Rather than fixing the rails upfront, the government has kept the choice of technical infrastructure open as a policy decision and will shape it via research and consultation, with explicit attention to the impact on smaller businesses. The roadmap prioritizes harmonization and fraud prevention while bringing VAT controls closer to the transaction itself.
| Applies to: | VAT-taxable businesses carrying out cross-border trade with other businesses (B2B) within the EU |
| Transaction scope: | Intra-EU cross-border B2B transactions: businesses must issue EU-standard e-invoices and report invoice data digitally per invoice/transaction near real time |
| Timeline: | In force from 1 July 2030 |
| Formats & transmission: | Businesses must use electronic invoices that meet EU16931; Transmission rules are not yet specified by the Dutch government, the government explicitly lists the choice of technical infrastructure as a policy decision to be made |
| Penalties: | Not published yet in the Dutch government |
| Archiving: | Businesses must retain VAT administration records for 7 years and 10 years for records related to immovable property. |
How can SEEBURGER E-Invoicing support your digital transformation?
