2027 E-Invoicing requirements

Starting January 2027, the UAE Federal Tax Authority will require all B2B and B2G invoices to move through its Peppol-based E-Billing System. This applies to every VAT-registered business. Companies must work through FTA-approved platforms that can generate invoices, exchange them securely, and track compliance. Shifting early helps reduce day-to-day effort and gives businesses more control before the rules fully come into force.

Your path to compliance

Azentio manages your end-to-end-invoicing implementation without disrupting your operations.

Prepare

Prepare

Define the data dictionary and align master data

Validate

Validate

Check ERP invoice output for accuracy and completeness

Integrate

Integrate

Perform API integration between Azentio ERP with the ASP

Convert and verify

Convert & verify

Run ASP compliance validation and format conversion (UBL/XML)

Test

Test

Conduct Peppol end-to-end testing and UAT

Go live

Go live

Connect and transmit invoices to the FTA via Peppol

Why partner with Azentio

With Azentio’s native E-Invoicing, the solution meets UAE FTA requirements and processes high numbers quickly in a secure and robust environment. With integrated encryption, extensive audit trails, and seamless integration to ASP and FTA systems, compliance is made simple while improving the efficiency of your day-to-day operations.

Our team brings deep GCC experience and on-ground support. Collaborations with regulators and industry bodies ensure practical, local expertise.

The platform updates continuously to align with changing tax rules, helping businesses adapt quickly.

We serve large enterprises in BFSI, retail, telecom, and manufacturing. Our solutions are live in India, KSA, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Turkey, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Ghana. Millions of invoices are processed securely every month, enabling high-value, high-volume transactions with confidence.
Why partner with Azentio

Everything you need to comply

More than just mandates

Beyond meeting regulatory requirements, Azentio’s solutions help streamline operations, reduce errors and fraud risks, and build greater trust with both customers and suppliers.

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Built-in UAE FTA compliance

Go live faster, stay audit-ready without extra add-ons

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Native ERP integration

Smooth connectivity, less downtime

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Proven impact

30% faster compliance for a leading UAE retailer (ACME Corp)

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Future-ready platform

Scalable for high volumes, Peppol on the roadmap, global coverage across 10+ countries

Proven across borders

E-Invoicing success in:


India
Turkey
Saudi Arabia
Ghana
Kenya
Zimbabwe
Vietnam
Malaysia
Indonesia

Impact by numbers

With compliance enabled across nine jurisdictions, our teams bring practical, real-world experience to the UAE rollout.

 

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Invoice processed annually

Less than

average processing time

 

Countries of implementation

Get mandate-ready with Azentio today!

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Seamless integration

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Scalable compliance

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Zero disruption

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High reliability

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Proven results

We are extremely pleased with the smooth implementation of ERP’s E-Invoicing solution. This upgrade aligns with our commitment to operational excellence and has significantly improved our invoicing processes, enabling us to adapt to Malaysia’s digital economy swiftly.

Chong Sok Chee

Chong Sok Chee

VP Finance, Teik Senn, Malaysia

Frequently asked questions

UAE E-Invoicing FAQ

Color feature and theme of the dashboard important?
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It is optional for clients.

Can reports be scheduled and automatically sent to stakeholders?
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Yes, report scheduling to stakeholders is an important feature and can be implemented.

Will Azentio ASP automatically send invoices to buyer's PEPPOL ID?
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Yes, Azentio ASP locates buyer's PEPPOL ID and sends invoice in required XML format.

How many API calls occur in the background?
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One API call per invoice from the client. Background API call details will be shared soon.

When will the data dictionary be published?
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Currently no clarity from FTA; expected around mid-October.

How will the AP invoices be accepted?
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We are waiting for FTA clarification.

Will Azentio cater to different entity & division level mapping for E-Invoicing?
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Yes, we will support division-level workflows for E-Invoicing.

Can invoice rejections in dashboard be value-based?
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Yes, value-based rejection is an important suggestion for buyer rejection dashboard.

How many invoice emails are sent to clients?
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Two emails per transaction: one XML invoice from ASP and one formatted invoice from ERP.

Will support be linked to JIRA?
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Yes, centralized portal support with ticket tracking via JIRA dashboard will be provided.

How will the AP module operate?
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We are waiting for FTA clarification.

How will invoices be stored?
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XML acknowledgements from FTA and invoice copies will be stored securely in multi-tenant storage.

Is the solution version agnostic?
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Yes, our solution supports all versions of Orion for E-Invoicing

Can delivery notes be attached with invoices?
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Yes, we will provide functionality to attach multiple documents along with the invoice.

Can storage duration be extended?
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Yes, storage timelines can be extended on request.

Will changes be available in the 11J version?
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Yes, the updates will be included in 11J version.

Is QR code required for UAE E-Invoicing?
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No, QR code and digital signature are not currently mandated by FTA.

Will customized invoice templates be provided?
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Yes, standard invoice templates notified by FTA will be incorporated.

What is the invoice journey after submission to FTA?
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Integration acknowledgments and success/failure notifications will be received at all stages (ASP/FTA).

Can invoices be manually sent to customers from ERP?
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Yes, manual invoice sending option will be available on transaction screen to avoid delivery issues.

Is FTA standard invoice print available?
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Yes, FTA standard invoice print format will be available.

What setup is required from buyer's side?
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Buyers must have PEPPOL ID as mandated for B2B/B2G transactions under UAE E-Invoicing law.

At what stage can invoices be canceled or revoked?
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Cancellation/revocation is possible before final Approval. Before Approval of invoice we can cancel / revoke invoice after Approval it will get integrate to ASP. In the later case, we need to raise credit Note for cancellation.

How will buyers know they have received an E-Invoice?
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Invoice XML will contain a UUID which uniquely identifies the invoice for buyer confirmation.

Will error invoices show on the same screen?
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Yes, validation errors appear as hyperlinks listing detailed error messages.

Are webinars planned to explain the system?
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Yes, three webinars are planned- one in each month; dates to be announced soon.

Is translation service available as in KSA?
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Not mandated by FTA currently, but can be provided if requested similar to KSA.

Can invoices be raised in any currency?
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Yes, invoices can be issued in any currency, but must be converted to AED before submission to FTA.

What if the customer environment is not ready?
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If buyer is VAT-registered, PEPPOL ID is mandatory and environment will be ready as per UAE E-Invoicing law.

Are transportation and logistics expenses VAT applicable?
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Yes, Incase these line items attract VAT, these transactions will fall under E-Invoicing rules.

Can multiple suppliers be combined in one invoice?
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No, one invoice can only have one supplier VAT ID; multiple suppliers require separate invoices.

Can we have reconciliation of delivery / movement of goods and E-Invoicing created reconciliation?
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Yes, we can develop a reconciliation report that matches the delivery or movement of goods against the E-Invoices created. This will help ensure accuracy and completeness of transactions between physical goods movement and invoicing data. To provide this, we may require relevant data integration or APIs from your logistics or warehouse systems.

In case of goods rejected who will raise credit Note?
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The seller initially issues an E-Invoice for the full 100 units based on the sales order. When the buyer returns the 10 rejected units, it is generally the seller's responsibility to raise a sales return, which is done by issuing a credit note for the returned quantity. The buyer may also raise a purchase return in their system for their internal records, but the credit note from the seller is the official document that adjusts the invoiced amount. This process ensures proper reconciliation between both parties and accurate accounting for the returned goods.

Invoice Date or FTA approval date is considered valid?
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The invoice date is considered the valid date for all processing purposes, rather than the FTA approval date.

Whether we will be connecting to the customer's UAT environment or directly to their live environment?
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Orion will require client's UAT environment for Testing.

Whether Client need to have additional Server?
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Yes,
1. Standalone PC with Internet Access to connect to the cloud API for sandbox and Live for running client comply service.
2. Standard HW: i3 (Server with 2 Core) or higher, 16GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, Win 2016/ Win 10 or above.
3. Drive space to store based files like XML, PDF and QR etc.
4. Open JDK 11 deployment on the application server on premise.

UAE E-Invoicing Compliance FAQ

Is E-Invoicing mandatory in the UAE?
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Starting July 2026, all B2B and B2G invoices must be submitted electronically via the FTA's E-Billing System—built on the Peppol 5-corner model.

Is this E-Invoicing solution PEPPOL-certified and FTA-compliant?
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Yes. Orion's E-Invoicing solution is in the process of getting integrated with PEPPOL-certified infrastructure and fully aligns with FTA guidelines, including:
• UAE VAT and TRN validation
• Invoice format compliance (XML Format)
• Secure digital transmission
• Integration with FTA's validation environment

How are invoice formats validated?
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Invoices are validated against:
• PEPPOL BIS 3.0 schema (standard XML)
• UAE-specific FTA rules (TRN structure, tax categories)
• FTA's mock validation environment (sandbox)
Only after passing these validations are invoices allowed into the production environment.

How is data security and confidentiality handled?
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• All transmissions are encrypted using secure HTTPS
• Systems follow ISO 27001-grade data security standards
• Full audit trails and access logs are maintained
• No invoice content is altered during exchange

Where is invoice data stored?
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Invoice is stored in multi-tenant storage.

Will the system automatically adapt to future FTA or PEPPOL changes?
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Yes. Orion continuously tracks regulatory updates and maintains system compliance. Any changes in FTA rules or PEPPOL specifications are automatically updated, requiring no effort from the client side.

Is the solution audit-ready?
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Yes. The system:
• Maintains a complete audit trail
• Stores validated copies of all E-Invoices
• Logs all transactions with timestamps
• Supports easy retrieval for audits or FTA inquiries

What happens to non-compliant invoices?
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Invoices that fail validation against FTA or PEPPOL rules are automatically rejected, with detailed error messages provided for correction. Orion's interface allows you to correct and resubmit easily.

How do I prove compliance during an FTA audit?
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You can export:
• Delivery receipts
• Validation logs
• Timestamped records
• FTA acknowledgment messages
These can be presented as evidence of compliance.

What happens if my invoice is rejected by the FTA or customer?
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If an invoice is rejected (e.g., due to invalid TRN or structure), Orion's platform provides a detailed error log. You can correct and resubmit the invoice directly. The platform ensures traceability and retry capability.

Are PEPPOL E-Invoices legally valid in the UAE?
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Yes. PEPPOL-compliant invoices are recognized and legally valid under UAE VAT law, equivalent to traditional paper invoices. They meet all tax and archiving requirements.

How does the system prevent duplicate invoices?
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Orion includes duplicate detection logic using unique invoice identifiers and timestamps to prevent accidental re-submission, ensuring compliance with FTA audit controls.

Does the system support digital signatures or e-signatures?
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Yes. Digital signature capability is available and can be enabled based on client needs. While not mandatory in all cases, it provides extra security and can be activated for specific use cases.

What is the required invoice retention period under UAE law?
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The UAE VAT law requires E-Invoices to be stored for at least 5 years. Orion supports compliant long-term archiving, retrieval, and storage options based on UAE regulations.

How are PEPPOL Participant IDs managed?
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Orion ensures that each client is properly registered in the PEPPOL Directory with a unique Participant ID. The system manages the lifecycle of these IDs, including updates and deactivation if needed.

What is the fallback plan if the FTA or PEPPOL network is down?
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If either the FTA platform or PEPPOL network is temporarily unavailable, the Orion system will queue invoices and retry submission automatically once services are restored. No data is lost during the delay, and all activity is logged.

E-Invoicing Module and scenarios are available in all Versions?
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Yes, our e invoicing module is version agnostic. We are providing solution for all versions (10x, 11j, Cloud)

Where do we store data? and for how many Years?
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As per FTA we need to store data for 5 years and invoice copies will be stored securely in multi-tenant storage.

What are the required invoice formats under the UAE E-Invoicing system?
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All E-Invoices must be issued in structured UBL XML format, in accordance with the PEPPOL BIS Billing 3.0 standard. PDF or paper invoices will not be considered valid for tax purposes.

How are E-Invoices validated by the FTA?
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Invoices are sent through the FTA's validation platform (via the Access Point in the Peppol network). The FTA performs checks on format, TRN, VAT applicability, and mandatory fields before approving the invoice.

Is archiving of E-Invoices required?
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Yes. Businesses must store E-Invoices in digital format for a minimum of 5 years, in compliance with UAE tax laws. Orion provides secure E-Invoice archiving with easy retrieval features.

Will credit notes and debit notes also need to be issued electronically?
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Yes. All tax documents including credit notes and debit notes must follow the same E-Invoicing guidelines and be submitted in XML format via the FTA platform.

What is the role of an Access Point (AP) or Access Point Provider?
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An Access Point is a PEPPOL-certified gateway that facilitates the transmission of E-Invoices between the supplier and the FTA. Orion partners with PEPPOL-certified APs to ensure secure and compliant communication.

Do Client need a Tax Registration Number (TRN) from the FTA?
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A valid Tax Registration Number (TRN) issued by the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is mandatory. Client must ensure business is VAT-registered and your TRN is active.

Do client need to enroll for E-Invoicing separately?
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Yes. Businesses must initiate E-Invoicing enrollment through the EmaraTax Portal. This process involves verifying your TRN and registering for E-Invoicing services.

What is an ASP (Accredited Service Provider), and why do we need to authorize one?
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An ASP is an FTA-approved solution provider (like Azentio) that connects your invoicing system (ERP) to the FTA via the PEPPOL network.
To proceed, Client needs to authorize their ASP Provider within the EmaraTax Portal, allowing them to transmit E-Invoices on your behalf

What is the process for testing and go-live?
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The E-Invoicing process involves two key stages:
• Testing Phase (Sandbox):
Client will first test their E-Invoice generation and transmission in the FTA's sandbox environment to ensure compliance and stability.
• Production Phase (Go-Live):
After successful testing, client can move to the live production environment to begin real-time invoice submission to the FTA.
ASP (Azentio) will assist with both phases and ensure a smooth transition.

Do client need to make any changes in their ERP or accounting system?
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Yes. Orion ERP system must be able to:
• Generate invoices in the FTA-compliant XML format
• Digitally sign invoices
• Integrate with the ASP or Access Point for real-time submission
Orion's team will assist in integrating and testing your system for E-Invoicing readiness.

Connect with Azentio

Let’s begin our journey together.

We’d love to hear from you and answer your questions.