An access point is the on-ramp to the Peppol network. Businesses do not join the network directly — they contract with a provider that has been certified to operate an access point, and that provider handles everything technical about getting documents in and out.
On outbound documents the access point converts your invoice into the required format, validates it against the applicable rules, looks up the recipient in the network directory, and transmits it securely. On inbound documents it verifies the sender, validates the content, returns an acknowledgement to the sender’s access point, and delivers the invoice to you in a form your system can consume.
Why It Matters
The access point is where your e-invoicing capability actually lives, which makes choosing one a real decision rather than a formality. What matters is whether it integrates with the accounting software you already use, which document types and national specifications it supports, how it prices — per document, per month, or bundled — and what happens to invoices addressed to trading partners who are not on the network at all.
Example
A supplier’s accounting package includes access point connectivity. They register their VAT number once. From then on, sending a compliant structured invoice to any participant is the same action as sending any other invoice — the access point converts, addresses and transmits it, and logs the delivery receipt against the record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both parties need an access point?
Yes — the model requires one at each end. That is what allows the two businesses to exchange documents without knowing anything about each other’s systems.
Can I change access point providers?
Yes. Your identifier registration moves with you, and the network is designed so that participants are not locked to one provider. Check what your contract says about the migration process before you need it.