Peppol and NemHandel in Denmark

In Denmark, e-invoicing is tied to two names: NemHandel and Peppol. It can be hard to see which format is used when, and what Business Central does by itself. The article explains the difference between OIOUBL and Peppol BIS, how an access point fits in, and what Microsoft Learn writes about Business Central and NemHandel. At the end you get a short checklist for the setup, so you can see what is missing at your company.

Two formats, one network

OIOUBL is the Danish format, which has been used for many years. Peppol BIS is the international format, which is used in several countries. Both are XML invoices, and both can be sent and received through an access point.

NemHandel is the Danish register and infrastructure for electronic trade. You can register your company in the NemHandel register, so others can find out how to send you e-invoices. The Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen) administers the area, so check their page for current requirements and registration.

What Microsoft Learn says

Microsoft Learn writes that Business Central is registered as a digital bookkeeping system in Denmark, only as a standard solution without customizations. If the system is customized, it is the partner's or the customer's job to be able to show that it is still a standard solution.

The same page describes that Business Central can send and receive e-invoices and credit memos in both OIOUBL and Peppol BIS via NemHandel. Business Central acts as the transport layer towards an access point, following the four-corner model. Microsoft Learn's overview of localizations mentions that the Danish localization supports both Peppol BIS 3 and OIOUBL.

Registration in the NemHandel register

Business Central shows a message at the top of the screen if the company is not registered in the NemHandel register, and guides you through registering. If the company is registered, the system checks whether the CVR number on the Company Information page exists in the register, and the message disappears.

Microsoft Learn also writes that the company cannot be deleted from the moment it has been declared a production company and registered in NemHandel. That is worth knowing before you test in an environment you will later discard.

It is not automatic

That the function exists does not mean it has been set up at your company. You must create an E-Document service, choose a document format, connect to an access point and create a workflow that sends the documents. Access points often require their own agreements and may have their own fees, so get the terms from the provider.

Receiving has its own options. Among other things you decide whether purchase documents are created automatically, and whether amounts must be checked on import.

Also check that your Business Central environment is standard. Microsoft Learn writes that the registration as a digital bookkeeping system applies to the standard solution without customizations.

Is the company registered in the NemHandel register.
Which access point is used, and who holds the agreement.
Which format the customers prefer, OIOUBL or Peppol BIS.
Who approves imported purchase invoices.
Are the sending profiles set correctly on the customer cards.

When the customer does not use the same format

Some customers prefer OIOUBL, others Peppol BIS. You can create several E-Document services and control them with different sending profiles, so each customer gets the format it wants. Microsoft Learn writes that two services in workflows cannot use the same sending profile, so plan the profiles before you create them.

Ask the customer how it is registered in the NemHandel register, and whether it has a preferred provider. That saves time when you need to find out why an invoice is not being delivered.

Where Addverk comes in

We help with setup of e-documents and with checking whether your setup works in practice. We are working on an e-invoicing app for Business Central. It is an idea under development, it is not available, and it has no price or date. You can see what we are working on at the link below.