An e-invoice is a structured electronic invoice that is sent directly from the billing system to the recipient’s system without any manual intermediate processes, such as printing on paper or sending a PDF file by email.
In Finland, the E-Invoice Forum has been promoting the use of e-invoicing for over 20 years. The E-Invoice Forum includes both public sector organizations and private companies. E-invoicing has become highly significant in Finland, as approximately 90% of invoices are processed electronically.
What is an e-Invoice and why is it popular in Finland?
An e-invoice is a structured electronic invoice that is sent directly from the billing system to the recipient’s system without any manual intermediate processes, such as printing on paper or sending a PDF file by email. In Finland, the E-Invoice Forum has been promoting the use of e-invoicing for over 20 years. The E-Invoice Forum includes both public sector organizations and private companies. E-invoicing has become highly significant in Finland, as approximately 90% of invoices are processed electronically.
The four-corner model in Finland
Finland uses a four-corner model, where each party (sender and receiver) connects to the e-invoicing network through their chosen e-invoice operator. These operators — which can be banks or specialized service providers — route invoices between each other.
E-Invoice formats
Finland uses both national and EU-level e-invoice formats. The national formats are Finvoice and TEAPPSXML. The latest versions of both formats are interoperable with each other and with the EN 16931 standard.
Link to Finance Finland – Finvoice
It’s important to note that banks only use the Finvoice format, while operators use the TEAPPSXML format but can convert invoices to Finvoice if necessary. Finland aims to transition to the widespread use of invoices that comply with the EN 16931 standard in the near future.
Schematron validation
Operators validate invoices sent in the EN 16931 format. For the sender, this means that if the invoice does not meet the validation requirements, it will not be transmitted further. National Schematron validation is based on the requirements of the EN 16931 standard. Validation files related to the Finvoice and TEAPPSXML formats are available for a separate fee.
E-Invoice address registry
Every company and public sector organization using e-invoices in Finland must have a registered e-invoice address, published in a national e-invoice address registry (verkkolaskuosoiteisto), maintained technically by TIEKE. Operators are responsible for updating the registry with their customers’ data.
- This service is free for companies and the public to search invoice addresses.
- A machine-readable API access is available for but it is subject to a paid license (one-time or ongoing download rights).
Peppol addresses of Finnish public entities are also published in a national Peppol Access Control List (ACL) managed by the State Treasury. These addresses are synchronized to the national e-invoice address registry as well.
The e-invoice address registry has been implemented by operators and banks, and later joined by the State Treasury in Finland, acting as the national Peppol authority.
Link to the e-invoice address registry
Peppol in Finland
AAs of the end of 2024, the number of Peppol invoices among all e-invoices is still very low. However, the growth is expected to accelerate, and the number of invoices is likely to increase. The State Treasury serves as the national Peppol Authority in Finland, managing Finland’s national ACL registry.
Link to the State Treasury’s website
The national ACL registry contains Peppol addresses and capabilities only of Finnish public sector organizations and companies. Public sector organizations are mandated by the authority to place their Peppol information in the national ACL registry. In Finland, the use of the ICD code 0216 is mandatory for Peppol addresses.
Search for Peppol addresses
An integration has been implemented between the national ACL registry and the national e-invoice address registry. This means that the Peppol addresses and capabilities of organizations and companies can be searched in the national e-invoice address registry.
Link to the e-invoice address registry
Sending e-invoices to Finnish companies
Sending e-invoices from outside Finland to Finnish organizations or companies is possible if the foreign company has an agreement for sending e-invoices with a local operator that, in turn, has an intermediary agreement with an operator or bank operating in Finland, which acts as the e-invoicing service provider for the invoice recipient.
