Concept Definition
What is public procurement e-invoicing?
Public procurement e-invoicing refers to the electronic invoicing requirements that apply when a business sells goods or services to a government entity. EU Directive 2014/55/EU harmonized B2G e-invoice reception across the EU. Public authorities must accept EN 16931 compliant e-invoices.
What platforms are used for public procurement e-invoicing?
Key public procurement e-invoicing platforms by country:
- France: Chorus Pro, operated by AIFE. Mandatory for all suppliers to French public entities.
- Germany: Central invoice portal of the Bund (ZRE), Peppol for state governments.
- Netherlands: Peppol network via certified Access Points.
- Italy: SdI (Sistema di Interscambio), used for both B2G and B2B.
- Nordic countries (DK, SE, NO, FI): Peppol-based national platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are all public authorities covered by Directive 2014/55/EU?
- The directive covers central government authorities and sub-central authorities (regional and local). Sub-central authorities had until 2020 to comply. Not all public entities are contracting authorities under EU procurement law, but most government spending falls within scope.
- What happens if a public authority refuses to accept an e-invoice?
- Under Directive 2014/55/EU, public authorities have a legal obligation to receive and process compliant e-invoices. If they refuse, the supplier has grounds to escalate through procurement dispute mechanisms. In practice, system limitations may cause delays that should be resolved through the authority's IT department.