Latvia’s 2028 e-invoicing mandate: what it means and how Bilnex helps
From 1 January 2028, a Latvian company will no longer be able to send a PDF invoice to another Latvian company. The invoice will need to be an e-invoice. An e-invoice is a machine-readable file with data that moves from one ERP system to another without manual entry.
The deadline might seem far off. In reality, just over a year remains. In this article, we explain what’s changing in Latvia, who it affects, and how Bilnex can help you start the transition today.
What’s changing and when?
Latvia is rolling out e-invoicing in stages. The biggest change comes on 1 January 2028.
- 1 January 2025. E-invoicing become mandatory for invoices that companies send to government agencies.
- 1 January 2026. Data from e-invoices related to government agencies must also be reported to the Latvian State Revenue Service (VID).
- 30 March 2026. Companies can start sending e-invoices to each other on a voluntary basis.
- 1 January 2028. E-invoices become mandatory for all transactions between Latvian companies. The data from every e-invoice must be reported to VID within five business days.
The business-to-business mandate was originally meant to take effect back in 2026. Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, pushed the deadline to 2028 to give companies more time to prepare.
An e-invoice isn’t a PDF
Many people assume that a PDF sent by email counts as an e-invoice. It doesn’t. An e-invoice is a structured XML file. The recipient’s system reads its data in automatically.
In Latvia, e-invoices must comply with the European standard EN 16931. In practice, this means the Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 format. The same standard is used for sending e-invoices across Europe.
In Latvia, e-invoices can be sent through several channels. One option is the e-adrese service on the government portal. E-adrese is Latvia’s official electronic mailbox. When an e-invoice is sent via e-adrese, the system automatically forwards the invoice data to VID. For other channels, it depends on whether the provider has an integration with VID. Another option is the Peppol network or an e-invoicing service provider. The government portal’s e-invoice form works fine if you only have a few invoices. If you have more, invoicing software is more convenient.
Why start today
The mandate also applies to small companies and sole proprietors. The deadline was extended precisely so smaller companies would have time to prepare. That time will eventually run out.
The transition isn’t just a technical change. It changes how you create, send, receive, and pass invoices on to your accountant. Getting used to a new workflow takes time. The earlier you start, the calmer the end of 2027 will be.
Sending e-invoices in Latvia is already allowed today. There’s no need to wait.
How Bilnex helps Latvian companies
Bilnex is simple invoicing software that also works in the Latvian market. Setting up an account takes a couple of minutes. Sales and purchase invoices live in one place.
- Sending and receiving e-invoices. With Bilnex, you can send and receive e-invoices in Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 format.
- Sending PDF invoices. If a client isn’t yet set up to receive e-invoices, you can send a proper PDF invoice from the same platform. No need for an Excel template anymore.
- Digitising PDF invoices. Bilnex uses AI to extract data from PDF invoices. You don’t need to enter the data by hand.
- Jumis Pro integration. Bilnex integrates with Jumis Pro, the Latvian accounting software. Invoices flow straight into your accounting.
- Shared access with your accountant. The company representative and the accountant use the same Bilnex account.
Bilnex also works in Estonia and Lithuania. It’s a great fit if you invoice across multiple Baltic countries.
Start early
The 1 January 2028 deadline is coming regardless. The only question is whether you’ll be ready early or at the last minute.
Create a Bilnex account, send your first invoice, and see for yourself how it works. Creating an account is free.