Belgium to Decommission Hermes E-Invoicing Platform by Year-End 2025

The Belgian government has announced it will be decommissioning its Hermes e-invoicing platform on December 31, 2025. This decision signals a key transition in the country's digitalization strategy as it prepares for the nationwide B2B e-invoicing mandate starting in January 2026.

A Temporary Bridge No Longer Needed

Hermes was originally launched as a temporary fail-safe—a digital bridge for businesses that were not yet equipped to connect to the Peppol network. It ensured that all companies could participate in e-invoicing during the initial adoption phase.

Following a market review in July 2024, the Business Experts Group on e-invoicing concluded that the Belgian market for digital invoicing solutions is now mature and competitive. With a sufficient number of private-sector IT providers available, the government has determined that Hermes has successfully fulfilled its temporary purpose and is no longer necessary.

Key Dates for a Smooth Transition

Businesses currently using Hermes should take note of the following critical deadlines:

• December 31, 2025: The Hermes platform will be fully deactivated for sending and receiving invoices.
• January 1, 2026: Mandatory B2B e-invoicing comes into full effect across Belgium.
• March 31, 2026: This is the final day for users to access the platform in "consultation mode" to view or download their archived invoice data.

Action Required: Transition to a New Provider

With the shutdown of Hermes imminent, companies still relying on the platform must act now to find an alternative e-invoicing solution. The government is encouraging a transition to private-sector providers to ensure full compliance with the upcoming 2026 mandate and avoid any disruption to invoicing processes.

Comarch is a certified PEPPOL Access Point that connects buyers and suppliers within the secure four-corner model. By partnering with an access point like Comarch, businesses ensure their invoices meet all PEPPOL standards—from the UBL format to the AS4 communication protocol—guaranteeing data security and compliance.

There’s more you should know about e-invoicing in Belgium – learn more about the new and upcoming regulations.