Is e-invoicing mandatory for all businesses in Türkiye?
No, e-invoicing is not universally mandatory for all taxpayers. The obligation applies to businesses that either:
Exceed specific annual turnover thresholds (e.g. TRY 3 million for e-Fatura as of 2023), or Operate in designated high-risk or highly regulated sectors, such as energy, e-commerce, real estate, healthcare, or automotive.
Businesses not meeting these criteria may voluntarily adopt e-invoicing but are not legally required to do so.
Who is the governing entity overseeing e-invoicing and digital reporting?
The GİB (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı), also known as the Turkish Revenue Administration, is the sole authority responsible for:
Setting technical and legal standards (e.g., UBL-TR format, digital signing rules)
Maintaining the national e-invoicing infrastructure
Enforcing compliance and applying penalties
Issuing annual communiqués like VUK 509 to update obligations
Is there a phased implementation? What are the key deadlines for e-invoicing compliance in Türkiye?
Yes. Implementation is structured and announced annually via the VUK 509 General Communiqué (and others like VUK 487, VUK 515).
Is there a national e-invoicing platform in Türkiye?
Yes. Türkiye uses a centralized clearance model where all e-Fatura and e-İrsaliye documents are:
- Transmitted to GİB via certified Private Integrators or direct API connection
- Validated and digitally stamped by GİB before delivery to the recipient
Do businesses need to register for e-invoicing compliance in Türkiye?
Yes. Businesses must:
- Register with GİB via a certified integrator, or
- Apply for direct GİB access, which is more complex and rare. Registration involves:
- Obtaining a Mali Mühür (digital financial seal)
- Activating the correct document types (e.g. e-Fatura, e-Arşiv, e-İrsaliye)
- Defining aliases (PK/GB) for document routing
How does e-invoicing work in Türkiye?
The process varies slightly depending on the document type, but the general flow is:
1. Supplier's ERP generates invoice data.
2. Data is transformed into UBL-TR XML.
3. Document is digitally signed using a certified certificate (Mali Mühür).
4. The signed invoice is submitted to GİB
5. GİB validates the invoice (structure, format, signature).
6. If valid, GİB routes it to the recipient's electronic mailbox (alias).
7. A status is returned, and optional buyer response (Application Response) may follow.
What are the approved e-invoicing formats in Türkiye?
UBL-TR 1.2 for e-Fatura, e-Arşiv, e-İrsaliye (a local adaptation of UBL 2.1)
XBRL-GL for e-Defter (e-Ledger) files
Does Türkiye require real-time reporting of invoices?
Yes, depending on the document type:
e-Fatura and e-İrsaliye must be cleared in real-time through GİB.
e-Arşiv is delivered immediately to the buyer, but must be reported in batch to GİB by the next business day.
Do non-resident companies need to comply with e-invoicing in Türkiye?
Only if they are VAT-registered in Türkiye. Non-resident businesses with no local tax obligations are exempt.
What are the e-invoicing requirements for cross-border transactions in Türkiye?
Exporters subject to e-Fatura must:
- Use the “IHRACAT” profile ID
- Submit export invoices through GİB
- GİB forwards them to the Ministry of Trade (GTB), who handles customs and border clearance.
Is an electronic signature required for e-invoices in Türkiye?
Yes. All e-documents must be digitally signed using the suppliers Mali Mühür (qualified e-signature). The signature uses the XAdES standard and is embedded in the UBL.
How should e-invoices be archived to comply with Türkiye’s regulations?
UBL and related artifacts must be stored for 10 years, accessible locally.
Can e-invoices be stored outside Türkiye?
No. Turkish law requires:
- Data to be stored on servers located in Türkiye.
- Archives to be available on demand for tax audits and inspections.
- Backup and disaster recovery plans within Türkiye.
Where can I find official e-invoicing guidelines for Türkiye?
eBelge Sitesi includes technical manuals and official government annoucements.
How can ecosio help my business do e-invoicing in Türkiye?
ecosio simplifies compliance by handling transformation, validation, submission, and archiving through one single integration.
How does ecosio help businesses future-proof e-invoicing compliance strategy in Türkiye?
Continuous updates, legal monitoring, and seamless scaling for cross-border or domestic scope expansions.