Peppol invoice without PDF? Peppol Box automatically generates a readable PDF from XML

The problem: unreadable XML invoices

With mandatory e-invoicing rolling out across Europe, more and more businesses are receiving invoices through the Peppol network. And many are discovering an unexpected issue: the invoice arrives in XML format… with no PDF attached.

An XML file is a structured document designed for machines, not humans. If you open a UBL file in a browser or text editor, you'll see something like this:

Let's be honest: this isn't exactly the document you'd hand to your accountant or file in your records. Yet legally, it's a perfectly valid invoice.

Why do some Peppol invoices not include a PDF?

The Peppol network was designed to transmit structured data between IT systems. The standard format is UBL (Universal Business Language), an XML format standardised at the European level.

Attaching a PDF is optional. Some suppliers include one, others don't. The result:

• Some invoices arrive with a PDF attached to the XML — no problem
• Others arrive as XML only — impossible to read without the right tools

This isn't your supplier's mistake. It's simply that PDF is not required by the Peppol standard. But it creates a real day-to-day problem for businesses that need a visual document.

The Peppol Box solution: always a PDF at your fingertips

At Flexina, we anticipated this problem. Our solution, Peppol Box, ensures you always have a readable PDF for every invoice received via Peppol, thanks to smart handling:

• If your supplier attached a PDF to the Peppol invoice → Peppol Box displays the original PDF from the supplier
• If the invoice arrives as XML only (no PDF attached) → Peppol Box automatically generates a professional PDF from the XML data

Either way, the result is the same: as soon as an invoice lands in your Peppol Box, a PDF is available instantly. View it, download it, print it, or send it to your accountant.

Whether or not the supplier attached a PDF, you always have a readable document. It's seamless and automatic, with zero effort on your part.

What does the generated PDF contain?

The PDF created by Peppol Box includes all the information from the XML, presented in a clear layout:

Information	Details
Supplier identity	Name, address, VAT number
Invoice number	Unique document reference
Invoice date	Issue date and due date
Line items	Description, quantity, unit price, amount
VAT	Rate, taxable base, VAT amount
Total amount	Net and gross totals
Bank details	IBAN and payment reference

The result? A document as readable as a traditional invoice, ready to use just like a PDF received by email.

Why does this matter for your business?

Without this feature, businesses receiving XML invoices without a PDF are stuck:

• No way to visually check the invoice without technical tools
• Hard to share the document with an accountant expecting a PDF
• Risk of errors if you try to read the XML manually
• Wasted time searching for unreliable online converters

With Peppol Box, this problem simply doesn't exist. Every invoice received is immediately available as a PDF, ready to use.

Comparison: with and without Peppol Box

Scenario	Without Peppol Box	With Peppol Box
XML invoice without PDF	Unreadable, unusable	PDF generated automatically
Invoice verification	Open XML, decode tags	View the PDF in one click
Sending to accountant	Search for a converter	Download and forward
Archiving	Raw XML file	Professional, archivable PDF
Processing time	Several minutes per invoice	Instant

Already using accounting software?

Peppol Box complements your accounting software. Even if your software handles Peppol invoices, having a readable PDF is still essential for:

• Human verification before approval
• Sharing with colleagues who don't have access to the software
• Archiving in a universally readable format
• Tax audits where a visual document is more practical

How to get started?

It's simple: sign up for Peppol Box and you'll receive a Peppol number straight away. As soon as an invoice arrives, the PDF is generated automatically. No setup, no plugins, no technical skills required.

Peppol Box is developed by Flexina, a Belgian-based software company. Our mission: making e-invoicing accessible to every business, regardless of size.

Don't let unreadable XML files hold up your accounting. With Peppol Box, every Peppol invoice becomes a clear, usable PDF — automatically.