Real estate: why electronic invoicing is (at least) as strategic as the DPE

The widespread adoption of electronic invoicing is a priority for real estate players, whether they operate in transactions, residential property management, or the service sector. Driven by successive tax reforms and a national objective to modernize inter-company exchanges, this regulatory development raises major technical, organizational, and economic challenges.

A regulatory framework now clarified

The 2024 finance law has ratified the new timetable for the reform:

From September 1, 2026, all businesses will be able to receive electronic invoices; large companies and mid-sized companies will also be required to issue them in this format.
From September 1, 2027, this emission obligation will extend to all SMEs and VSEs.

These deadlines require the mobilization of accounting, IT and operational departments in all the structures concerned, starting today.

A particularly exposed sector

The real estate sector, by the very nature of its activities, is faced with a high and constant volume of invoices: management fees, service calls, receipts, work, outsourced services, rents, etc. The reform goes well beyond simple dematerialization: it involves reviewing the entire invoicing chain, from production to conservation, with standardized formats and certified platforms.

An opportunity to optimize processes

Beyond the legal requirement, electronic invoicing is a real opportunity for operational optimization. It reduces processing times, limits errors and disputes, while improving visibility of collections. According to the AIFE (French Association for the Management of Financial Accounts), a paper invoice costs an average of €9,50, compared to €3,50 for an electronic invoice: on the scale of a customer portfolio, the savings are significant.

Specific challenges in commercial real estate

For commercial property managers, this development also paves the way for enhanced traceability and increased transparency for institutional owners and tenants. In an environment where cycles are long and financial commitments are high, having a smooth, secure invoicing system that complies with European standards is a guarantee of confidence for all stakeholders.

Prepare now

Selecting a certified technology partner, integrating with business tools, training teams, and mapping workflows are among the essential first steps. The goal is to ensure a seamless transition and transform this regulatory constraint into a strategic lever.

A structural reform

Electronic invoicing isn't just about complying with a new legal framework. It represents a fundamental step forward in the digitalization of real estate practices. In a sector historically characterized by administrative complexity, it represents a unique opportunity to simplify, secure, and modernize communications. But it's important to anticipate it.

Tribune by Thibault Tiberghien, Tertiary Market Director at Orisha Real Estate (LinkedIn).