By Timothy Jacqmin, Co-Founder, Nexuro Digital · July 2026
TL;DR
- A Peppol access point (Access Point) is the technical provider that connects your business to the Peppol network to send and receive electronic invoices.
- The right image: it's your post office on the network. You don't talk to the network directly; your access point handles that for you.
- You generally don't have to choose one separately: your accounting software or ERP (like Odoo) already includes an access point.
- Two businesses on Peppol can exchange documents even if they use different access points, just like two emails from different providers.
The term 'access point' comes up as soon as Peppol is mentioned, and it sounds more intimidating than it needs to. Here's what it is, without the jargon, and why you probably don't need to worry about it as much as you think.
What is a Peppol access point for?
An access point (Access Point) is an accredited provider that links your software to the Peppol network: it converts your invoices into the right format, sends them to your client's access point, and receives the ones sent to you. Without it, your software has no way to 'post' an invoice onto the network.
The Peppol model is called '4-corner': you → your access point → the client's access point → the client. Each party has its own, and access points are interoperable with one another. It works exactly like email: it doesn't matter if you're with one provider and your client with another, the message still gets through.
How do you get an access point?
In most cases, you don't have to install anything separately: your invoicing software or your ERP already includes a Peppol access point, which you simply activate and configure. This is the case with Odoo, which handles sending and receiving natively. See Peppol in Odoo.
Your options, from the simplest to the most technical:
- Via your software/ERP: the simplest option, activating the built-in Peppol feature (recommended for an SME).
- Via a dedicated access point provider: if your tool doesn't support Peppol natively.
- In-house: reserved for large organisations with an IT team; rarely relevant for an SME.
For the full picture of the obligation and how to comply, see Peppol in Belgium 2026: the complete guide.
FAQ
Do I have to choose my own Peppol access point?
Most of the time, no. If your accounting software or your ERP already includes Peppol (like Odoo), the access point is provided and you simply activate it. You only need to look for a dedicated provider if your current tool doesn't support Peppol. If in doubt, a quick audit of your setup will confirm it.
Do two businesses have to use the same access point?
No. The Peppol network is interoperable: your business and your client can use different access points and exchange documents without any problem, just like two people using different email services. That's the whole point of a standardised network.
Does a Peppol access point cost money?
It depends on your solution. When the access point is included in your software or ERP, the cost is often built into the subscription. A dedicated provider usually charges based on the volume of documents. What matters is comparing the total cost (software + Peppol) rather than the access point alone.
Sources
- Peppol (OpenPeppol), What is Peppol? (4-corner model) : https://peppol.org/what-is-peppol/
- SPF Finances (Belgium), B2B electronic invoicing : https://finances.belgium.be/fr/entreprises/tva/facturation-electronique
About the author
Timothy Jacqmin: Co-founder of Nexuro Digital, a digital marketing agency and Official Odoo Partner (BE-FR-LUX), founded with his brother Bryan Jacqmin.
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