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Peppol explained
Peppol is the network UK e-invoices will travel over. Think of it like the postal system for invoices: you don't need to know how it works, just that your software is connected to it.
What's been confirmed
On 23 June 2026, the government announced that "the electronic procurement system Peppol will be the core interoperability network for e-invoicing in the UK". It said this gives software makers and businesses "an indication of the direction of travel", so they can start planning.
How an invoice travels
The government has focused on a decentralised model. That means there's no single government hub that every invoice passes through. Instead:
Your invoicing software either is a Peppol provider or works with one. You won't connect to Peppol yourself.
Who already uses Peppol?
Peppol started as a European project and is now used by governments and businesses in many countries. In the UK, the government notes that NHS Supply Chain already requires its suppliers to send e-invoices through Peppol.
What isn't decided yet
- The exact UK format. Peppol's own invoice format today is called Peppol BIS Billing 3.0, built on the European standard EN 16931. The UK hasn't said whether it will use it as it is or make a UK version.
- How Peppol providers will be approved in the UK.
- What happens to older systems that can't connect. The government says it will keep talking to businesses about this.
HMRC has said it will publish full guidance, standards, the technical specification and the law by the end of the 2027 to 2028 tax year. A roadmap is due at the Budget on 28 October 2026.
Will it cost me anything?
The government says it wants "a range of low cost and easy to use e-invoicing products" and expects the market to offer them at different prices, including low-cost ones. It hasn't announced any free government software. Ask your software provider what they'll charge. Some already include e-invoicing at no extra cost.
Sources
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