Short answer: free hosting is possible, but check the account price
Yes, you can accept e-invoices in Estonia without purchasing desktop software. There are two real free ways: Bilnex by Finbite 0-euro package and RIK e-biller, which is free for the first year of use. From From July 1, 2025 An accounting entity that has registered itself as the recipient of an e-invoice in the e-business register has the right to demand a machine-readable e-invoice from the seller, not a PDF. An important difference: e-invoice traffic may be free, but account management, larger volumes or an ERP interface may incur a monthly fee. This applies to both Bilnex and RIK and is worth checking carefully before concluding a contract.
PDF is not an e-invoice and the 2025 amendment did not make all B2B invoices mandatory
An e-invoice is a file that is originally created digitally based on a common standard as machine-readable. This means that the recipient's software automatically reads the invoice data, without having to type it manually. According to the Ministry of Finance's explanation A PDF invoice sent by email is not an e-invoice, no matter how correct it looks. Until 2025, e-invoices were only mandatory for public sector purchases. Amendment to the Accounting Act, which entered into force on 1 July 2025, according to An accounting entity listed in the commercial register as the recipient of an e-invoice may require the seller to submit an e-invoice to pay for the purchased goods or services.. It is generally considered appropriate EN 16931-1 standard corresponding invoice. This is the uniform format for European e-invoices, also known as Peppol invoices. The recipient has registered as approximately 18,000 companies and this number is growing.
Bilnex by Finbite or RIK e-invoice: what do you get for free?
| Criterion | Bilnex by Finbite (0 €/month) | RIK e-biller |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | €0 according to the price list | €0 in the first year of use |
| Receiving e-invoices | Included, including Peppol channel | Included, activated in settings |
| Volume limitation | "Unlimited e-invoices" on the website, but FAQ refers to paid packages with more than five invoices received, so check the terms and conditions when joining | There is no direct limit on the number, but the subsequent fee depends on the volume. |
| The need for a contract | Subscription form, no permanent obligations before the contract | Digital User Agreement with a person with legal representation |
| Accounting functions | Management, digitization, archiving of sales and purchase invoices | Fully functional online accounting software |
| Known follow-up cost | Paid packages for larger volumes and ERP interface | From the second year onwards 5 euros per year with up to 10 transactions per month, with more extensive use from 5 euros per month, plus VAT |
Set up reception in four steps
The first decision is the channel. Bilnex by Finbite is suitable if you want one simple environment for sales and purchase invoices, while RIK's e-invoicer is suitable if you also want to keep your accounting from the same place. Second, you need to sign the necessary contract: in the case of RIK, this is digital user agreement concluded by a person with legal representation of the company, in the case of Bilnex, a subscription form and later a service agreement. Thirdly, activate the receipt of e-invoices. In RIK's e-invoicer, this is done in the settings and there you can also set an email address where notifications of incoming invoices will go. Fourth, the entry in the e-business register must be checked: if the service provider has forwarded the client's data to the register, an e-mail will be sent to the person with the right of representation and The selection must be confirmed within seven days.. After approval, the company's acceptance channel will appear in the e-business register starting the next day.
Example: five supplier invoices per month without new software
Consider a small OÜ that receives five purchase invoices per month, most of them still as PDFs by email. Once the company has registered itself as a recipient in the e-business register, it can ask its suppliers to start sending them as e-invoices. A supplier whose invoice is 1,200 euros now sends the invoice directly via the operator; a notification is received at the agreed e-mail address, the entrepreneur opens the invoice in the account, checks the amount and due date and confirms it. The original document remains in the system and there is no more manual copying of data. The same workflow applies to both Bilnex and RIK's e-invoicer. The main difference is whether you also want to keep your accounting from the same place.
Check these three things before signing a contract
First, review the actual volume and feature limits of the free plan. Bilnex's price list mentions unlimited e-invoices for sales invoices, but the FAQs direct you to paid packages for more than five invoices received., so ask about the specific conditions before signing up. Second, consider the cost after the trial period: in the case of RIK, the first year is free, but from the second year onwards, an account management fee will be charged, which depends on the number of entries. Thirdly, remember that accounting source documents, including received e-invoices, must be retained for seven years from the end of the relevant financial year. Therefore, before signing a contract, it is worth checking how and for how long the selected service ensures archiving.
Why choose an EN 16931 or Peppoli-enabled channel now?
There is no current law that requires a general B2B e-invoice obligation within Estonia. The 2025 amendment only gave the right to request an e-invoice if the buyer has registered as a recipient. However, it has already been agreed at the European Union level that e-invoice-based measures for cross-border B2B VAT reporting will come into force on 1 July 2030 within the framework of the so-called ViDA (VAT in the Digital Age). If you choose a channel today that supports the European standard and the Peppol network, you will not have to change systems in the next decade when cross-border reporting becomes a reality. This is one of the few options that costs little or nothing today, but will save you a lot of work later.
FAQ
Can e-invoices be accepted in Estonia without purchasing software?
Yes, you can. Two real free ways are Bilnex by Finbite's 0-euro package and RIK's e-invoice, the first year of which is free. It is important to check whether there is an additional monthly fee for account management or larger volumes.
What is the difference between the free package of Bilnex and RIK e-invoice?
Bilnex by Finbite offers e-invoice reception and sales invoice management for €0 per month, but fees may apply for more than five received invoices or ERP interfaces. RIK's e-invoicer is free for the first year, and from the second year onwards costs €5 per year with up to 10 transactions per month.
How to set up e-invoice reception?
First, select a channel (Bilnex or RIK), sign a contract, activate reception in the settings, and confirm the entry in the e-business register within seven days. After confirmation, the reception channel will be displayed from the next day.
What to check before signing an e-invoice service contract?
Review the actual volume and feature limits of the free plan, consider the cost after the trial period, and check how the service ensures archiving (the law requires seven years of retention).