What is Peppol BIS 3.0 – the European standard for e-invoicing

Standards and formats are what make it possible to exchange business documents quickly, securely, and without the need for manual tasks. When everyone follows the same rules for how documents are structured, different systems can understand each other more easily, no matter which software or country you are in. 

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Peppol BIS, the most common Peppol format used in Europe. We will explain what Peppol BIS is and the benefits it brings to companies exchanging electronic documents such as invoices and credit notes. 

If you want to know more about the Peppol network, we will recommend that you read our blog “What is Peppol: The Complete Guide to Peppol”.  

What is Peppol BIS and how does it work for e-invoicing? 

Peppol is the secure network used to exchange electronic business documents between companies (B2B) and public sector organisations (B2G). 

Within this network, documents must follow a common structure so that different systems can read and process them automatically. This structure is called Peppol BIS (Business Interoperability Specifications). 

The most used version, Peppol BIS Billing 3.0, is built on the European e-invoicing standard EN 16931. 

While EN 16931 defines the core requirements for electronic invoices, Peppol BIS provides the practical rules and structure needed to implement those requirements across borders and industries. 

By using Peppol BIS Billing 3.0, companies can send and receive documents in a standardised way, ensuring they are validated and compliant with EU requirements such as VAT rules. 

Why Peppol BIS matters 

Peppol BIS is not just a technical format, but it plays a key role in how companies and public sector organisations across Europe exchange documents. 
Here are some of the main reasons why more and more businesses are adopting it: 

• Comply with local and EU rules 
  Many countries in Europe now require Peppol-standard invoices when trading with the public sector. Some countries are even expanding this to B2B invoicing. 
• Fewer manual tasks and errors 
  When everyone uses the same structure, documents flow automatically between systems, reducing rework, rejected invoices, and time spent on manual checks. 
• Prepared for future requirements 
  The European Commission continues to push for harmonised e-invoicing standards, meaning Peppol BIS is part of a long-term strategy for digital trade. 

This makes Peppol BIS a safe choice for companies looking to standardise and simplify their invoicing processes. 

Key facts about Peppol BIS Billing 3.0

• Optimised for European requirements, including EU VAT rules 

• Built on the UBL (Universal Business Language) format 

• Standard for e-invoices and credit notes 

• Enables fast and secure document exchange between trading partners 

• Built on the European e-invoicing standard EN 16931 

Peppol BIS vs. PINT 

While Peppol BIS is designed for Europe, there is also PINT (Peppol International Invoice), which is a global standard. 

PINT was developed because countries outside of Europe wanted to use the Peppol network, but Peppol BIS did not fully meet their local requirements, such as tax rules and regulations. 

To solve this, PINT was created to provide a flexible framework that follows the same principles as Peppol BIS, while allowing each country to adapt the format to their specific legal and regulatory needs. 

How does this look in practice?  

If a company in Germany sends an invoice to a company in Sweden, they would use Peppol BIS 3.0, since both countries follow the European standard. 

But if that same German company sends an invoice to a business partner in Australia, it would often need to use PINT, because Australia has different tax and reporting rules that the European version does not cover. 

How to get started with Peppol BIS 3.0 

To start using the Peppol BIS 3.0 format and the Peppol Network, you need to connect through a Peppol Access Point. 

As an approved Peppol Access Point, we can help you get connected and begin exchanging electronic documents in a secure and compliant way. No matter which countries you do business with, we make it simple to send and receive invoices, credit notes, and other documents according to the Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 specification. 

Do you want to use Peppol BIS? Contact us today and we will set you up!