Sage Study: E-invoicing Could Save European SMEs 13,500 Euros Annually
A new study by Sage reveals that European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can achieve annual savings of up to 13,500 euros through the adoption of electronic invoicing. This transition significantly reduces invoice processing time and boosts efficiency.
European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) stand to save approximately 13,500 euros per year by implementing electronic invoicing, according to a new study by Sage. The research indicates that e-invoicing can nearly halve the time spent on processing invoices, leading to substantial efficiency gains and improved cash flow for businesses.
The Pan-European study, which surveyed over 9,000 SMEs, found that labor productivity across the EU could increase by up to 2.6 percent annually if businesses shift their focus from administrative tasks to more strategic activities. This reallocation of resources could contribute significantly to overall European economic growth.
For many SMEs, adopting e-invoicing serves as a stepping stone towards broader digital transformation. The findings show that 90 percent of companies implemented additional technologies after transitioning to e-invoicing, with 22 percent investing in artificial intelligence for their accounting functions.
However, adoption rates vary across Europe. In Germany, only 4 percent of small businesses in the B2B sector have implemented e-invoicing. While many EU countries are set to introduce e-invoicing regulations from 2026, German companies are legally required to be able to receive electronic invoices starting January 2025. The mandate for issuing e-invoices in Germany is not expected until 2028.