Finland: VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) and E-Invoicing Requirements

Transition to e‑invoicing: Key insights

In Finland, e‑invoicing is already a cornerstone of public‑sector procurement. Under the Act on Electronic Invoicing in Public Procurement (241/2019), all government bodies must be able to receive structured e‑invoices compliant with EN 16931. Accepted formats include Finvoice and TEAPPSXML.

Private‑sector use is widespread: Finland has an adoption rate close to 90% for structured e‑invoicing thanks to long‑standing national standards and well‑developed operator networks.

ViDA will extend structured e‑invoicing requirements to all intra‑EU B2B transactions, meaning Finnish businesses must ensure their systems can issue and receive EN 16931‑compliant e‑invoices, regardless of the format currently used internally.

Structured e‑invoice vs. other digital invoices

As in the EU generally, a structured Finnish e‑invoice must be:

• issued, transmitted and received in machine‑readable XML format, and
• compliant with the European Standard EN 16931.

A PDF, scan, or an emailed document is not considered an e‑invoice in Finland. This position is clearly stated in internal Finnish guidance and the Act 241/2019.

Invoice issuance deadline

Finland applies the standard EU invoicing timeline: invoices for intra‑EU supplies must be issued by the 15th day of the month following the supply. This aligns with existing VAT invoicing requirements.

For multinational businesses operating from Finland, it is recommended to begin coordinating ViDA‑related system updates well before 2030.

Legal framework for e‑invoicing in Finland

The Finnish legal environment is shaped by:

• Act 241/2019 (mandatory B2G e‑invoicing)
• Directive 2014/55/EU (public procurement e‑invoicing)
• European Standard EN 16931
• National formats Finvoice and TEAPPSXML

Current obligations confirmed across several internal files:

Mandatory B2G

All Finnish public authorities must accept invoices only in structured formats (Finvoice, TEAPPSXML, Peppol BIS), fully compliant with EN 16931.

Voluntary B2B — but with a Finnish specificity

Finland does not have a general B2B mandate.
However, any Finnish business with annual turnover above €10,000 has the legal right to require e‑invoices from suppliers. If requested, the supplier must comply.
This is confirmed in multiple internal files and originates from Act 241/2019, Chapter 2, Section 3.

No B2C mandate

E‑invoicing for consumers is optional, though widely used through banks and operators.

ViDA legislation

No national ViDA law has yet been published, but Finland will adopt the upcoming EU‑wide requirements beginning 1 July 2030.

Requirements for e‑invoicing

A compliant Finnish e‑invoice must meet the following conditions:

1. Structured format

Accepted formats include:

• Finvoice (XML)
• TEAPPSXML
• Peppol BIS Billing 3.0

All three are validated in internal sources.

2. Transmission channel

Finland uses a decentralised operator network. There is no government e‑invoicing platform for B2B or B2C.
Common operators and access points include: Basware, Pagero, Sovos, Visma/Maventa, Comarch, Handi.

3. No electronic signatures required

Finland does not require e‑signatures or seals for e‑invoices; authenticity and integrity are ensured through the structured format and operator transmission.

Archiving and accessibility of e‑invoices

Under the Finnish Accounting Act, invoices must be archived in their original structured format.

Internal sources confirm the retention periods:

• 10 years → accounting books and financial statements
• 6 years → vouchers and supporting documents, including invoices

Invoices may be stored outside Finland if they remain immediately accessible to the Finnish Tax Administration upon request.

Printed or PDF copies do not meet the archival requirement.

Additional considerations

Finland is not expected to introduce a national B2B mandate before ViDA.
Internal files highlight:

• mixed standards (Finvoice, TEAPPSXML, Peppol) require mapping,
• SMEs may face technical challenges,
• widespread voluntary use reduces pressure for early mandatory reform.

ViDA aims to harmonise the fragmented European landscape, and Finland will follow the EU timetable.

Direct Reporting and SAF‑T

Finland currently has:

• no SAF‑T requirement,
• no real‑time or transaction‑level VAT reporting, and
• no domestic digital reporting system for invoices.