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E-invoicing Compliance: Essential Steps for Irish Businesses to Adapt

Photographic portrait of Deirdre Hogan
Deirdre Hogan

EY Ireland Indirect Tax Partner

3 minute read 01 Jul 2025
Related topics
Tax function operations
Tax

Discover why Irish businesses must embrace e-invoicing now to ensure compliance, streamline operations, and thrive in a digital landscape.

In brief

  • E-invoicing is becoming mandatory across the EU, requiring Irish businesses to prepare for compliance and adapt their invoicing processes.
  • By adopting e-invoicing now, companies can streamline operations, reduce errors, and leverage digital transformation for competitive advantage.
  • EY’s tailored e-invoicing solution assists Irish businesses in managing complex regulations while enhancing efficiency and maintaining compliance.

Is Your Business Ready for E-invoicing?

E-invoicing may still feel like a future concern for some Irish businesses, but in reality, the clock is ticking — fast. Across the EU, governments are mandating real-time invoice reporting to close VAT gaps and digitise tax administration. And while Ireland hasn’t yet confirmed a go-live date before 2030 yet, Irish businesses with operations in France, Italy, Poland, Romania and beyond are already being pulled into mandatory e-invoicing regimes.

In short: Irish businesses need to act now, not later — especially those with cross-border operations.

A European Push With Irish Implications

The EU’s VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) Directive will require near real-time reporting of intra-EU B2B transactions — something that will reshape how Irish businesses manage invoicing, tax and compliance. Even before mandatory EU-wide rules land in 2030, individual countries are moving ahead. France’s rollout begins in 2026, while Italy and Poland already require e-invoicing for many transactions. Ireland will similarly follow suit sometime between now and 2030.

For Irish-headquartered businesses with European subsidiaries or trading partners, this isn’t optional — it’s operationally urgent.

From Compliance Burden to Business Value

Yes, e-invoicing starts with a compliance deadline. But for Irish businesses, it also presents a rare opportunity: a chance to streamline invoicing including AP and AR processes, reduce manual errors, and gain clearer visibility across finance and supply chain operations.

The most forward-looking Irish finance leaders are treating e-invoicing not just as a regulatory obligation, but as a launchpad for broader digitisation. That mindset shift is what separates the compliant from the competitive.

Irish businesses can’t afford to wait until local deadlines hit. The moment to prepare is now, especially for those with European operations. Invoicing is a compliance obligation, yes. But it’s also a strategic chance to modernise how finance works — and those who act early will be best placed to benefit.

Deirdre Hogan

EY Ireland Tax Partner

How EY can help

  • Finance Transformation

    Discover how EY's Finance Transformation services can help your business capitalize on opportunities to drive profitable growth and drive transformative change.

    Read more

Getting Ahead of the Complexity

Many Irish businesses face a familiar challenge: legacy ERP systems, decentralised invoicing tools, and finance teams spread across multiple countries. That complexity makes manual or semi-digital invoice processes unsustainable under new e-invoicing mandates.

 

The solution? A platform that is scalable, jurisdiction-aware, and integrates with your existing finance and tax systems — all while being flexible enough to adapt to evolving regulations.

 

EY’s E-invoicing Solution: Built for Irish Businesses with Global Reach

EY’s Global Tax e-invoicing solution is tailored to meet the requirements of Irish businesses engaged in cross-border operations. This solution facilitates real-time, structured invoice exchange in compliance with both EU and local regulations, providing seamless ERP integration and continuous updates to maintain compliance as rules evolve. While numerous companies offer e-invoicing solutions, EY distinguishes itself through the combination of tax expertise and technology, ensuring a comprehensive, efficient, scalable, and fit-for-purpose solution that adapts to mandatory requirements across countries.

 

Supported by EY’s tax, legal, and technology experts, this service helps Irish businesses meet obligations and gain long-term benefits. Combined with EY’s Global VAT Reporting Tool (GVRT), it creates an integrated system for streamlined VAT compliance.

 

Why Acting Now Makes Sense

Even if the Irish Revenue hasn’t yet mandated e-invoicing, proactive steps now will help businesses:

  • Get ahead of EU-wide digital reporting rules
  • Avoid costly last-minute implementation
  • Minimise disruption to supply chains and customers
  • Use the transition to build stronger, more resilient finance systems

Summary

E-invoicing is essential for Irish businesses as the EU mandates real-time invoice reporting. Companies must act quickly to ensure compliance, especially those with cross-border operations. Embracing e-invoicing streamlines processes and reduces errors. EY’s tailored solution helps Irish businesses adapt efficiently while maintaining compliance with evolving regulations.

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