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It’s the reality of 2026: your administration is perfectly organized, your invoice is ready as a digital package (XML), but when you click 'send', an error message appears. Your client cannot be found on Peppol.
Despite the legal obligation, 1 in 5 Belgian entrepreneurs is still not registered on this secure network. This is frustrating because you want to comply with the law and get paid quickly. What do you do when your client has missed the digital boat?
The problem: The 'digital wall'
Since the e-invoicing mandate took effect, sending a PDF via email to another business (B2B) is officially no longer the standard. The law dictates that invoices must flow through the Peppol network. If your client isn't there, your invoice cannot 'land' directly in their accounting system.
This leads to delays, manual corrections, and—in the worst-case scenario—unpaid invoices because they don't meet legal requirements.
3 Solutions for non-digital clients
1. Use Banqup as your 'smart postman'
At Banqup, we’ve anticipated this. If you send an invoice to a client who isn't on Peppol yet, our platform won't leave you stranded.
Legal compliance: You have sent your invoice in the correct format. The fact that the client isn't ready to receive it shouldn't block your workflow.
2. Inform and activate (for your own sake)
Sometimes, clients simply don't realize they need to take action. They might think a "PDF in an email" is still sufficient. Our tip: Add a short note to your communication. Let them know that you are now invoicing via Peppol in accordance with Belgian law. Explain the benefits for them: the invoice appears instantly in their portal, manual data entry errors are eliminated, and payment can be made with a single click.
3. Make the switch irresistible
The reason 20% are still lagging behind is often the fear of high costs. Point out to your client that a basic Peppol registration via a platform like Banqup is low-threshold and quickly set up. Once they take that step, the collaboration becomes 100% frictionless for both parties.
Why waiting for your client is not an option
You might think: "I'll just send them a paper invoice or a loose PDF." But beware:
Compliance risk: You are not meeting the 2026 e-invoicing standards.
Error-prone: Manual processing on the client's side leads to late payments.
Costs: Manual follow-up costs you time that you cannot bill.
In a digitized Belgium, the Peppol ID is the new 'entrepreneurial identity'. Without that ID, a company is simply less accessible to the modern economy.
Conclusion: Don't stand still in front of a closed door
It’s inconvenient when your client isn't following suit, but don't let it hinder your growth. With the right tools, you ensure your invoices always arrive, whether your client is a digital frontrunner or part of that final 20%.
Stuck with a client who isn't on Peppol? Banqup ensures your invoices are always sent in compliance with the law, even to clients who have yet to make the switch. Discover how we bridge the gap between paper and digital.