TL;DR: FreeAgent is excellent for bookkeeping, but it does not natively generate the structured XML files required by the 2029 mandate. To stay compliant, you need a bridge to convert your data into the Peppol BIS 3.0 format.

Table of Contents

1. Does FreeAgent support Peppol natively?
2. The "PDF Gap": Why your current workflow will fail.
3. Workflow: From FreeAgent PDF to Peppol XML.
4. Benefits of early automation.
5. Preparing your contact list.

Does FreeAgent support Peppol natively?

Currently, FreeAgent allows you to create professional invoices and export them as PDFs or CSVs. However, it does not have a built-in "Send via Peppol" button that generates the required BIS 3.0 XML schema. For most users, this means there is a technical gap between their accounting software and the legal requirements of 2029.

The "PDF Gap": Why your current workflow will fail

A PDF is essentially a "digital picture" of a document. To a human, it looks like an invoice, but to the Peppol network, it is unreadable data. The 2029 mandate requires structured data—where the VAT amount, date, and totals are in specific, machine-readable fields.

Workflow: From FreeAgent PDF → Peppol XML

Until native integration arrives, the most efficient path is using a conversion tool. The process looks like this:

1. Generate your invoice in FreeAgent as usual.
2. Use a conversion tool to extract the data from the PDF.
3. Map that data to the Peppol BIS 3.0 XML standard.
4. Send the XML via your Access Point to the customer's Peppol ID.

Benefits of automating this now

By setting up this bridge early, you avoid the "2029 rush." You can begin testing the delivery of electronic invoices with a few trusted clients, ensuring your data mapping is correct and your payment cycles are speeding up.

Preparing your FreeAgent contact list

Start adding a "Peppol ID" field to your customer notes in FreeAgent. Knowing your customers' IDs now will make the transition to automated sending seamless once your conversion tool is in place.

FAQs

Can I still email my FreeAgent PDFs? You can for now, but after April 2029, they will not be legally compliant for VAT purposes.

How do I ensure the data mapping is correct? Using a tool that validates against the Peppol test suite ensures that mandatory fields (like tax category codes) are present before the invoice is sent.

Will this work with Xero or QuickBooks? Yes, while we started with FreeAgent, we are expanding to support Xero, QuickBooks, and other major platforms soon.