Get ready for Ireland’s eInvoicing mandate with Xero
The Irish Revenue is making it a legal requirement for businesses to adopt electronic invoicing, known as eInvoicing. That means swapping your emails and data entry for a secure digital system. Here’s how to prepare for the changes and get going with Xero’s Peppol-certified software.
What is eInvoicing?
eInvoicing lets you send and receive invoices directly between accounting systems in a structured digital format. As part of the VAT Modernisation initiative, the Irish Revenue is phasing in a requirement for businesses to adopt eInvoicing as a secure, email-free way to make payments.
Prepare your business for 2028
Every business must be technically able to receive eInvoices from 1 November 2028.
Join the Peppol eInvoicing network
Peppol is the secure international network used in Ireland. Your data flows directly between systems.
Use Xero – a Peppol Certified Provider
Xero already supports over half a million global customers for eInvoicing.
Follow Ireland's eInvoice Guidelines
Register for eInvoicing in Xero to meet the EN16931 European Standard and report your VAT in real time.
Who must adopt eInvoicing and when?
All Irish businesses that send and receive B2B payments domestically and with other EU countries will be legally required to adopt eInvoicing and real-time VAT reporting. Revenue is introducing the initiative in stages – your deadline depends on the size of your business and its VAT-status.
- All Irish businesses must be able to receive eInvoices by 1 November 2028.
- Large Irish corporates must be able to send and receive eInvoices by 1 November 2028.
- All VAT-registered businesses that trade in the EU must be able to send and receive eInvoices by 1 November 2029.
Why is eInvoicing becoming mandatory?
Revenue is asking Irish businesses to take up eInvoicing as part of a wider EU project to modernise tax. While Revenue aims to reduce invoice fraud and the ‘VAT gap’, your business will also benefit from the new invoicing system.
- eInvoicing replaces emails and PDFs with machine-readable eInvoices for a fast, streamlined process
- Invoices arrive as draft bills in your software without the need for manual data entry
- eInvoicing allows for real-time financial reporting to Revenue, which will become a mandatory requirement
Why choose Xero for your eInvoicing
Xero supports businesses to take up eInvoicing as part of their everyday workflows. Whether you trade with Irish suppliers or across the EU, Xero gives you a smooth system.
- Make it easy for customers to pay you – and improve your cash flow
- Eliminate manual processes and the risk of lost emails with a secure digital system
- Follow European EN16931 standards and the EU’s VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) requirements for cross-border trade
Get started with Xero’s eInvoicing
Don’t wait to adopt electronic invoicing! Take just a few minutes to connect Xero with Peppol. That way, you’ll be confident by the deadline and reap the benefits right away.
- Use eInvoicing on all Xero plans
- Make sure your invoices meet Revenue standards by quickly matching the Xero tax rates to the Peppol categories
- Send eInvoices to any business on the Peppol network
- Receive eInvoices from your suppliers as draft bills in Xero – then just review and pay
FAQs on eInvoicing with Xero
No – a PDF is considered ‘unstructured data’. A legal eInvoice must be in a structured digital format (like XML) that can be processed automatically by your customer’s system.
No – a PDF is considered ‘unstructured data’. A legal eInvoice must be in a structured digital format (like XML) that can be processed automatically by your customer’s system.
In Ireland, your Peppol ID is typically based on your VAT number. You get one by registering with a Peppol Certified Service Provider like Xero, which then connects you to the secure international network.
In Ireland, your Peppol ID is typically based on your VAT number. You get one by registering with a Peppol Certified Service Provider like Xero, which then connects you to the secure international network.
Yes. Even if you aren't a large corporate required to send eInvoices yet, you must be able to receive them from your larger suppliers, starting on 1 November 2028.
Yes. Even if you aren't a large corporate required to send eInvoices yet, you must be able to receive them from your larger suppliers, starting on 1 November 2028.
Absolutely! Xero’s eInvoices are delivered directly into your customers’ accounting software as draft bills, meaning they bypass email inboxes and manual data entry. This typically reduces approval times and improves your cash flow.
Absolutely! Xero’s eInvoices are delivered directly into your customers’ accounting software as draft bills, meaning they bypass email inboxes and manual data entry. This typically reduces approval times and improves your cash flow.
For sure! Xero is a Peppol Certified Service Provider, and its software is built to handle the EN16931 standard. It’s already live for the Irish market, helping support your business well ahead of the mandates.
For sure! Xero is a Peppol Certified Service Provider, and its software is built to handle the EN16931 standard. It’s already live for the Irish market, helping support your business well ahead of the mandates.
No – registering for eInvoicing is just a technical upgrade to how you send and receive invoice data. It doesn’t change your current VAT rates, how much tax you owe, or your legal tax status with Revenue.
No – registering for eInvoicing is just a technical upgrade to how you send and receive invoice data. It doesn’t change your current VAT rates, how much tax you owe, or your legal tax status with Revenue.
Try Xero free for 30 days
Access Xero features for 30 days, then decide which plan best suits your business. Note: eInvoicing isn’t available in the free trial.
Plans to suit your business
All pricing plans cover the accounting essentials, with room to grow.