EU E-Invoicing Cost Simulator: Peppol and Factur-X

E-invoicing: estimated savings and the French rollout calendar

The tool multiplies the annual number of invoices sent and received by the unit cost gap between paper or PDF and e-invoicing. With 250 invoices a month at 13.50 versus 2.20 each, savings reach 33,900 a year. In France, every business has had to accept e-invoices since 1 September 2026, and SMEs and micro-businesses must issue them from 1 September 2027.

The calculation

Annual invoices = (invoices sent + invoices received per month) × 12. Annual savings = annual invoices × (paper or PDF unit cost − e-invoice unit cost). Time saved = annual invoices × 13 minutes ÷ 60. The payment delay (DSO) reduction shown is a fixed 9 days that does not depend on any input.

Worked example

150 invoices sent and 100 received per month: 3,000 invoices a year. Current cost: 3,000 × 13.50 = 40,500; future cost: 3,000 × 2.20 = 6,600; savings: 33,900 a year, plus about 650 hours of data entry avoided.

Assumptions and limits

The unit costs of 13.50 and 2.20, the 13 minutes saved and the 9 days of DSO are indicative values that have not been verified: replace the costs with your own (entry time, printing, postage, platform subscription). The tool counts neither the yearly subscription nor setup costs. Choosing a target format (Factur-X, ZUGFeRD and XRechnung, Peppol, FatturaPA) changes neither the result nor the extract shown, which remains a Factur-X BASIC profile structure: CII XML compliant with the European standard EN 16931, with invoice number INV-2026-0042 and type code 380 for a commercial invoice.

The French calendar

• 1 September 2026: every VAT-registered business established in France must accept e-invoices; large and mid-sized companies must issue them;
• 1 September 2027: SMEs and micro-businesses must issue them, with e-reporting on the same timetable.

Invoices go through an approved platform chosen by the company.

Sources and dates: entreprendre.service-public.fr news item stating that e-invoicing has applied since 1 September 2026 (2 September 2026); impots.gouv.fr e-invoicing page (updated 01/09/2026); German Federal Ministry of Finance FAQ on the E-Rechnung: receipt mandatory since 01/01/2025, issuance after transition periods ending in late 2026 and late 2027 (checked on 14/10/2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

When does e-invoicing become mandatory in France?

Since 1 September 2026, every VAT-registered business established in France must be able to receive e-invoices, and large and mid-sized companies must issue them. SMEs and micro-businesses must issue electronic invoices from 1 September 2027, through an approved platform.

How much can a company save by switching to e-invoicing?

The tool multiplies the annual number of invoices by the unit cost gap. With 250 invoices a month and the indicative costs of 13.50 (paper or PDF) and 2.20 (electronic), savings reach 33,900 a year. Both costs are unverified defaults that you should replace with your own.

What is the difference between Factur-X and Peppol?

Factur-X is a hybrid invoice format: a readable PDF carrying an XML file structured according to the European standard EN 16931. Peppol is an international document exchange network whose invoice specification, Peppol BIS Billing 3.0, follows the same standard. In the tool, this choice has no effect on the result.

When does Germany require the E-Rechnung?

German businesses have had to be able to receive an E-Rechnung since 1 January 2025. Issuing one stays optional until the end of 2026, and until the end of 2027 for issuers whose prior-year turnover does not exceed 800,000, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Is this tool really free?

Yes, all tools on Kristools are 100% free and accessible without registration.

Is my data protected?

Yes. All processing is performed directly and securely inside your browser. No personal data is sent to our servers.