Understand

Factur-X and ZUGFeRD invoices in Belgium: what they are and how to read or import them

Since 1 January 2026, Belgian companies exchange invoices with each other as Peppol e-invoices in the UBL format. But many invoices from France and Germany arrive in a different form: a normal-looking PDF with an XML file hidden inside it. These are Factur-X and ZUGFeRD invoices. What are they, why do you receive them, and how do you get them into software that only reads UBL?

You don't need an AI agent to read an electronic invoice

Since January, B2B e-invoicing is mandatory in Belgium. More and more people receive UBL/XML invoices, and many of them now upload these files to an AI assistant just to read them. It works. But it’s a detour.

How to Read a UBL Invoice: The Missing Link in Electronic Invoicing

The Problem: Electronic Invoicing Solves Everything—Except Reading the Invoice The shift to electronic invoicing has brought significant benefits. Governments and tax authorities are pleased: centralized platforms enable faster tax recovery and reduce fraud. Accountants are relieved, as manual data entry is now automated. But what about businesses? While invoices are exchanged seamlessly, reading and extracting information from a UBL file remains a challenge.