Italy e-Invoicing Mandate

This guide provides an overview of e-Invoicing requirements in Italy, including the legal framework, the use of the Sistema di Interscambio (SdI) platform, compliance obligations, and key reporting considerations. It is intended to assist businesses that issue or receive invoices for transactions subject to Italian VAT.

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Tax Authority

Agenzia delle Entrate

Mandate Go-Live Date

1 January 2019

Digital Signature

Required

Archiving

Mandatory - 10 Years

Invoice Format

XML FatturaPA, PDF (visual)

Italy was the first European country to introduce nationwide B2B e-invoicing to combat tax evasion and modernise its invoicing system. The mandate now covers B2B, B2G, and B2C transactions, including domestic transactions between Italian residents and established taxpayers, flat-rate taxpayers, certain non-profit and sports entities above specific revenue thresholds, microenterprises above set thresholds, and all suppliers to public administrations.

 

Electronic invoices must be exchanged through the Sistema di Interscambio (SDI), Italy’s central clearance platform. Businesses can connect directly or via a service provider. The SDI validates invoices before forwarding them to the recipient.

Mandate Details
Mandate Status
Which types of transactions must be reported via e-Invoicing?
mandatory

Effective: January 2019

Italy’s e-Invoicing mandate is fully active.

B2B

B2C

B2G

Intra-community transactions

Export & import cross-border transactions

Transport/shipping transactions

Are there any thresholds that determine e-Invoicing applicability?

  • All monetary thresholds have been removed. There are certain exemptions for specific classes of taxpayers and transactions.
  • Taxpayers who adopt the flat-rate regime
  • Third sector entities with revenue/fees of EUR 65,000 and over
  • Microenterprises with revenue/fees of EUR 25,000 and over
  • All taxable persons, residents or established, in Italy if their annual revenue is above EUR 25,000
  • Amateur sports associations

What are the implementation dates of the e-Invoicing mandate?

Transaction Type
2015
2019
2022
2024
2025
2030 (EU ViDA)
Local - B2G (Public)
Local - B2B (Domestic)
Local - B2C (Domestic)
Local - Cross-border reporting
Foreign - B2B/B2C (non-established)
*
*
*
*
Mandatory requirement in effect or expected
Not mandatory (no current requirement)
*
Non-established foreign taxpayers are generally not required to issue via Italy’s SDI, even if registered for VAT in Italy
Do I need to have a permanent establishment in Italy to be required to e-Invoice?

Yes, generally you must have a local form of establishment in Italy to be required to issue mandatory electronic invoices through the Sistema di Interscambio (SdI).

Non-resident, non-established businesses are generally exempt, even if they have an Italian VAT number.

Yes, if you are resident/established:


All businesses registered for VAT in Italy must use the SDI for B2B and B2C transactions.

No, if you are non-established: Non-resident entities that do not have a fixed establishment in Italy are not required to issue Italian e-invoices, even if they have a direct VAT registration or a fiscal representative.

12 days from the date of delivery of goods/services.

Delays in sending e-invoices or failure to submit invoices to the SdI platform are subject to a fine ranging from EUR 250 – EUR 2,000 per invoice under Article 6(1) of Legislative Decree 471/97

If an Italian company fails to correctly communicate cross-border invoices, a fine of EUR 2 to EUR 400 per invoice applies.

Additionally, the Italian Revenue Agency may impose further penalties ranging from 90% to 180% of the VAT due

For non-declaration of invoices, this additional penalty is capped at EUR 1,000 per quarter

Steps VAT IT can assist with

1. Integrate with the SdI platform (directly or via a certified provider).
2. Validate and transmit invoices through SdI before issuing them to customers.
3. Ensure proper archiving (digital storage) in accordance with Italian e-archiving rules.
4. Monitor rejections and error notifications from SdI and correct invoices where necessary.

FAQs

Term 1 | Reclaim

Staying compliant involves understanding local VAT regulations in different countries, maintaining accurate records, and using the right documentation. VAT IT offers expertise in these areas, ensuring that your VAT reclaim processes align with regulations in each jurisdiction.

Staying compliant involves understanding local VAT regulations in different countries, maintaining accurate records, and using the right documentation. VAT IT offers expertise in these areas, ensuring that your VAT reclaim processes align with regulations in each jurisdiction.

Staying compliant involves understanding local VAT regulations in different countries, maintaining accurate records, and using the right documentation. VAT IT offers expertise in these areas, ensuring that your VAT reclaim processes align with regulations in each jurisdiction.

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