The EU Commission Announces Plans to Revise E-Invoicing Rules for Public Procurement
On November 19, 2025, the EU Commission officially announced an initiative to revise Directive 2014/55/EU, the legislative framework governing electronic invoicing in public procurement. This effort aims to establish a more cohesive and interoperable digital invoicing environment across all Member States.
Addressing Market Fragmentation
The Commission’s decision to revisit the rules stems from acknowledged challenges that have hindered the Directive’s original objectives. Despite progress, the current landscape is characterized by a lack of uniformity in invoicing regulations, diverse national practices regarding transmission and certification, and uneven adoption of the EU e-invoicing standard. These discrepancies have created administrative barriers and prevented the full realization of a single digital market.
Key Elements of the Proposed Revision
- Introduction of a requirement for suppliers to issue e-invoices that fully comply with the European e-invoicing standard.
- Extension of the Directive to cover B2G transactions that fall below current EU public procurement thresholds.
- Implementation of common transmission methods rooted in the e-Delivery Building Block, alongside unified requirements for certification schemes.
Expected Impact and Methodology
The proposed changes may serve as either an alternative or a supplement. The Commission aims to utilize existing EU instruments to implement these changes to minimize costs and reduce administrative burdens. By consolidating e-invoicing solutions and standardizing formats, the revised framework is expected to:
- Enhance interoperability across the EU;
- Reduce compliance costs for businesses by simplifying technical complexity;
- Streamline public procurement processes and lower barriers to market entry.
Timeline and Next Steps
The regulatory process is currently in the consultation phase. A call for evidence is open for feedback until December 17, 2025.
Following this initial phase, the Commission will conduct a 12-week public consultation and targeted discussions with key stakeholders. The formal adoption of the revised rules is currently scheduled for Q4 2026.
There’s more you should know about global e-invoicing changes – learn more about the new and upcoming regulations.
