Peppol ID explained: scheme 0208, how to find it, how to request it
A Peppol ID is the network address of a legal entity. In Belgium it is usually 0208 plus the enterprise number. Knowing your KBO is not the same as being registered.
Updated
A Peppol ID (participant identifier) is the network address other parties use to find you and deliver structured documents. In Belgium it is typically scheme 0208 plus your ten-digit enterprise number (BCE / KBO), written 0208:0123456789.
Knowing the enterprise number is not the same as being on Peppol. Publication happens through an Access Point during registration.
When you need this
- A supplier asks for “your Peppol ID” or “0208”
- You must look up a buyer before the first send
- You wonder whether VAT number, CBE number, and Peppol ID are the same thing
What the identifier is
| Piece | Meaning |
|---|---|
Scheme 0208 | Belgian enterprise-number scheme on Peppol |
| Identifier | The enterprise number, usually 10 digits, no dots |
| Full ID | 0208: + that number |
- Peppol participant ID
The address of a legal entity on the Peppol network. Belgian businesses commonly use
0208:plus the BCE/KBO number.
Other schemes exist (VAT, GLN, and so on). Belgian domestic B2B traffic almost always uses 0208. Do not invent a second ID for the same company unless you have a second legal entity.
How to request a Peppol ID
You do not apply to a public “Peppol office.” You join through a certified Access Point. The provider publishes your participant ID and capabilities (receive invoice, receive credit note, and so on).
- Choose an Access Point (embedded in invoicing software or a standalone operator).
- Prove the legal entity (enterprise number, authorised person).
- The Access Point registers you in the Peppol directory (SMP).
- Partners can look you up and send.
Until step 3 succeeds, “I have a KBO number” does not mean you can receive.
How to find an existing ID
| You want | Do this |
|---|---|
| Your own ID | Ask your Access Point / invoicing tool; it is 0208: + your enterprise number once published |
| A customer or supplier | Run participant lookup on their enterprise number |
| Public buyers | Confirm the ID they publish (often Mercurius-backed); see B2G / Mercurius |
Worked example
Atelier Nord SRL, enterprise number 0123.456.789, joins through its Access Point. After publication, partners look up 0208:0123456789. A supplier who emails a PDF to factures@atelier.be is not using the Peppol ID.
Common mistakes
- Treating the VAT number as the Peppol ID without the 0208 scheme
- Sharing an ID before receive capability is live
- Using another company’s ID (group, accountant, or fiscal representative) without a real multi-entity setup
- Confusing “how to get a Peppol ID” with installing a file format
FAQ
What is a Peppol ID?
The participant identifier that addresses a legal entity on the Peppol network. In Belgium it is usually 0208 plus the enterprise number.
How do I request a Peppol ID?
Through a certified Access Point during registration. There is no separate public application form for 0208 IDs.
Is 0208 the same as my company number?
0208 is the scheme. The identifier part is your BCE/KBO number. The full address is 0208 colon that number.
How do I find my Peppol ID?
Once published, it is 0208 plus your enterprise number. Confirm in your Access Point portal that receive capability is listed.
Can my accountant use their Peppol ID for my invoices?
Invoices must identify your legal entity. An accountant can operate the Access Point for you; they should not replace your participant ID. See accountant onboarding.
Does a Peppol ID cost extra?
The ID itself is not a government licence fee. You pay the Access Point or the software that includes one.