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Confident, but not prepared: What the data reveals about ViDA readiness
3 Jul 2026
Most organizations across Europe are hearing the same message: prepare for e-invoicing and digital reporting. For many, that has effectively become their definition of VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA).
But these mandates are only one part of a much broader transformation that involves data, systems, processes, and ownership across the business. And while awareness of ViDA may be high, real organizational readiness is not. Simply put, most businesses are significantly less prepared for ViDA than they believe.
A quick overview in 60 seconds
The gap in confidence and preparedness became apparent in the data driven from Thomson Reuters Institute’s 2026 ViDA Readiness Survey. This “confidence curve” shows that most tax teams believe they will be ready to keep operating under ViDA regulations but lack the official plan to do so. Confidence drops when faced with the complexity of technological and operational changes that need to happen, and only increases again when a plan is finalized and funded.
ViDA Readiness Report 2026
Download the full reportA bystander effect is in play across Europe
At a high level, many tax and finance professionals believe they understand what ViDA requires.
But that confidence often reflects a surface-level view — one focused on e-invoicing and reporting obligations, rather than the broader operational and data changes involved.
There’s also a structural dynamic at play. In large organizations, responsibility for ViDA is rarely clear-cut. Tax may assume IT is leading. IT may assume Finance owns the timeline. Leadership may assume a program is already underway.
The result is a kind of bystander effect: confidence that someone, somewhere, has it handled but no clear view of who is actually accountable.
ViDA isn’t just a regulatory update; it’s a cross-functional shift that impacts reporting systems, data, and processes. As the scope becomes clearer, many realize how much still needs to be done.
Awareness doesn’t translate into execution, and that’s where most teams are getting stuck.
Three findings stood out
As the confidence curve shows, awareness is high but ViDA readiness drops once planning begins. This goes hand-in-hand with the fact that 86% of those surveyed are familiar with ViDA, but only 22% have a formal transition program in place.
Businesses are struggling with the fundamentals of digitalization. Real-time reporting depends on the accuracy of master data, KYC (know your customer) processes and system integration. This is where confidence begins to drop, with most finance, IT and operations professionals reporting low preparedness in these essential areas.
The #1 fear isn’t fines. It’s rejected and unpaid invoices. The risk of non-compliance isn’t as much about government penalties as it is about business disruption. The biggest concern reported is whether invoices will be accepted, processed, and paid under the new requirements. That puts cash flow and customer relationships directly in scope. ViDA readiness becomes a business continuity issue, not just compliance.
ViDA readiness is a company-wide effort
ViDA readiness doesn’t sit with one department. Spanning tax, finance, IT, and operations, success depends on how well those teams work together.
At its core, this mandate is about data and systems. Organizations need a setup that supports real-time compliance across multiple countries. That means more than technical fixes. It requires changes to ownership, processes, and operating models.
Treat ViDA as a narrow compliance task, and you risk falling behind. Treat it as a broader transformation, and you’re in a much stronger position.
Who should read this report?
- Tax leaders
- Finance leaders and CFO team
- IT, ERP, and transformation owners
Download the full ViDA Readiness Report (2026)
Get the full findings and a clear path to action, including:
Full survey insights across European tax and finance professionals
A maturity-based action plan to prioritize your next steps
Guidance on moving from assessment → funded action → scaled readiness
Practical recommendations on aligning tax, finance, and IT
About the survey
The ViDA Readiness Survey was developed in collaboration with European corporates and the Thomson Reuters Institute, bringing together perspectives from tax and finance professionals across the region.
- Quick overview
- A bystander effect is in play
- Three findings stood out
- ViDA readiness is a company-wide effort
- Download the report
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