Companies prohibited from using paper invoices from 2030

Starting July 1, 2030, businesses in the Netherlands will be required to issue digital invoices instead of paper versions or static PDF files. This transition, driven by the EU directive on VAT in the digital age, aims to simplify international commerce and enhance the ability of the tax authorities to detect fraud. Companies must adopt machine-readable digital invoicing systems, with an additional requirement to report these invoices automatically to the tax office taking effect on July 1, 2031.

While the government acknowledges that switching to digital accounting software may incur initial costs, it expects long-term financial savings for businesses. Small firms with an annual turnover of up to 20,000 euros are exempt from this mandate. To address data privacy concerns, the cabinet has committed to stringent security measures, limiting data access to necessary personnel and restricting storage by the tax authorities to a maximum of ten years. There will be no changes for individual consumers making purchases in shops or online stores.