{"id":22044,"date":"2026-03-20T17:44:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T16:44:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.accountable.eu\/help-center\/sending-peppol-invoices-using-a-gln-identifier\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T13:30:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:30:52","slug":"sending-peppol-invoices-using-a-gln-identifier","status":"publish","type":"help_center","link":"https:\/\/www.accountable.eu\/en-be\/help-center\/sending-peppol-invoices-using-a-gln-identifier\/","title":{"rendered":"Sending Peppol invoices using a GLN identifier"},"content":{"rendered":"

Accountable now supports GLN numbers for Peppol routing<\/b>, which means you can successfully send invoices to clients that require this identifier.<\/p>\n

This article explains what a GLN number is, when you need it, and how to use it in Accountable.<\/b><\/p>\n

\n

What is a GLN number?<\/h2>\n

A GLN (Global Location Number)<\/b> is a unique 13-digit identifier<\/b> used to identify organisations or specific locations within organisations.<\/p>\n

It is part of the GS1<\/b> identification system and is widely used in supply chains, healthcare, logistics, and public administration.<\/p>\n

Within the Peppol<\/b> network, a GLN can be used to route invoices to the correct organisation or department<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\n

Example of a GLN:<\/p>\n

5412345678901<\/code><\/pre>\n
Unlike VAT numbers, GLNs do not indicate tax registration<\/b>. Their purpose is only to identify a specific business location or entity<\/b>.<\/p>\n
\n
When do you need to use a GLN?<\/h2>\n
You only need to use a GLN if your client explicitly provides one for Peppol invoicing<\/b>.<\/p>\n
This is common for organisations such as:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • \n
    public institutions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
  • \n
    hospitals and healthcare providers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
  • \n
    large corporations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
  • \n
    international organisations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    These organisations sometimes require invoices to be sent to a specific department or purchasing system<\/b>, which is why they use GLN identifiers instead of VAT numbers.<\/p>\n
    If your client does not provide a GLN<\/b>, you should continue using their VAT number<\/b> as usual.<\/p>\n
    \n
    GLN vs VAT number for Peppol<\/h2>\n
    \n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n
    Identifier<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
    Purpose<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
    When used<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n
    VAT number<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
    Identifies a company for tax purposes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
    Most Peppol invoices<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n
    GLN number<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
    Identifies a specific organisation or location<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
    When a client requires GLN routing<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
    In most cases, VAT numbers remain the standard identifier<\/b> for Peppol invoicing.<\/p>\n
    GLN identifiers are only needed for specific organisations that require them<\/b>.<\/p>\n
    \n
    How to send a Peppol invoice using a GLN in Accountable<\/h2>\n
    If your client provided a GLN, you can add it to their client profile.<\/p>\n
    1. Add the GLN to your client<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. \n
      Open the client profile<\/b> in Accountable<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
    2. \n
      Locate the GLN field<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
    3. \n
      Enter the 13-digit GLN number<\/b> provided by your client<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      Important:<\/p>\n
        \n
      • \n
        Only enter the number itself<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
      • \n
        Do not<\/b> add the Peppol prefix 0088:<\/code><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
      • \n
        The GLN field is available only for business clients<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        2. Send the invoice via Peppol<\/h3>\n
        Once the GLN is saved:<\/p>\n
          \n
        1. \n
          Create your invoice as usual<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
        2. \n
          Choose Send via Peppol<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
        3. \n
          Accountable will automatically use the GLN for routing<\/b> if it is present<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          Do you always need a GLN?<\/h2>\n
          No.<\/p>\n
          Most organisations receive Peppol invoices using their VAT number<\/b>, and this will continue to work as before.<\/p>\n
          You only need a GLN when your client specifically asks you to use one for Peppol invoicing<\/b>.<\/p>\n
          \n
          \u2705 Summary<\/b><\/p>\n
            \n
          • \n
            A GLN<\/b> is a 13-digit identifier used for Peppol routing<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
          • \n
            It is mainly used by public sector, healthcare, and large organisations<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
          • \n
            In Accountable, you can add the GLN in the client settings<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
          • \n
            Use it only when your client explicitly provides it<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            If you\u2019re unsure whether you should use a VAT number or a GLN<\/b>, feel free to contact our support team \u2014 we\u2019ll be happy to help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
            Some organisations cannot receive Peppol invoices using a VAT number. Instead, they require a GLN identifier.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-22044","help_center","type-help_center","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSending Peppol invoices using a GLN identifier - Accountable<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.accountable.eu\/en-be\/help-center\/sending-peppol-invoices-using-a-gln-identifier\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sending Peppol invoices using a GLN identifier - Accountable\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Some organisations cannot receive Peppol invoices using a VAT number. 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