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E-Invoice Germany · Mandatory since 2025

Convert PDF invoices to XRechnung and ZUGFeRD— in seconds.

Germany requires structured e-invoices since January 2025. TaxLayer converts your existing PDF invoices into legally compliant XRechnung or ZUGFeRD files — no specialist knowledge needed.

Works for freelancers, self-employed professionals, and small businesses operating in Germany. Upload your PDF, verify the extracted data, download the e-invoice.

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✓EN 16931 compliant✓KoSIT validated✓Hosted in Germany
The German E-Invoice Mandate

What changed in 2025 — and what it means for you.

01

PDFs are no longer sufficient.

Since January 1, 2025, PDFs alone do not count as e-invoices under §14 UStG. B2B recipients in Germany can legally reject them. Your invoice must contain structured XML data.

02

XRechnung is mandatory for public-sector clients.

Any invoice to a German federal agency, state authority, or municipality must be in XRechnung format. This includes freelancers and consultants with government contracts.

03

ZUGFeRD works for B2B invoices.

For business clients, ZUGFeRD is the easiest path: it looks like a normal PDF but embeds the required XML. Your client's accounting software reads it automatically.

04

Deadlines are tightening.

Receiving e-invoices: mandatory now. Sending: mandatory from 2027 for large businesses, from 2028 for everyone. Get your workflow set up before the rush.

Three steps

From PDF to validated e-invoice in under a minute.

01

Upload your PDF

Drag and drop any PDF invoice. TaxLayer supports all common PDF variants, including multi-page documents.

02

Verify the data

The AI extracts all mandatory fields automatically. Review and correct any values with one click before generating the e-invoice.

03

Download & send

Get a validated ZUGFeRD PDF or XRechnung XML — ready to send to your client or submit to a government portal.

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Free tools

Validate and inspect e-invoices for free.

No account required. All processing runs in your browser — your files never leave your computer.

ZUGFeRD & XRechnung Validator

Check your XML against all EN 16931 mandatory fields. Supports ZUGFeRD (CII) and XRechnung (UBL).

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Excel → XRechnung Generator

Enter invoice data and download a valid XRechnung UBL 2.1 XML file. No registration.

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XML Viewer

Open and read ZUGFeRD or XRechnung XML in a structured, human-readable view.

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FAQ

Common questions about German e-invoices.

What is XRechnung?
XRechnung is Germany's mandatory XML e-invoice format for invoices to public-sector clients (federal, state, and municipal authorities). It is based on the European standard EN 16931 and uses UBL 2.1. Since January 2025, B2B recipients in Germany must also be able to receive structured e-invoices.
What is ZUGFeRD and how is it different from XRechnung?
ZUGFeRD is a hybrid format: a normal PDF with an embedded XML file. Humans can read the PDF; software reads the XML. It is the most practical format for B2B invoicing because it requires no change to how you share invoices. XRechnung is a pure XML file, required specifically for public-sector invoicing.
Do I need to send XRechnung as a freelancer?
Only if you invoice public-sector clients. For private business clients, ZUGFeRD is simpler and fully compliant. From 2028, all businesses in Germany must send e-invoices regardless of client type.
My German client asked for a ZUGFeRD invoice — what do I do?
Upload your existing PDF invoice to TaxLayer. The AI extracts seller, buyer, line items, VAT, and totals automatically. You review and confirm, then download a ZUGFeRD 2.3 PDF — your original invoice with structured XML embedded. Takes under a minute.
What is the e-invoice deadline in Germany?
Receiving e-invoices: mandatory from January 1, 2025. Sending: mandatory from January 1, 2027 for businesses with more than €800,000 annual revenue; from January 1, 2028 for all businesses operating in Germany.
Is TaxLayer GDPR-compliant?
Yes. All processing runs on servers in Frankfurt, Germany (Google Cloud europe-west3). Invoice contents are not stored. Only anonymised usage metadata is retained. A data processing agreement (DPA) is available on request.
Can I use TaxLayer without a German tax number?
Yes. TaxLayer generates the XML from whatever data you provide. If you are a foreign business invoicing German clients, enter your home country VAT number in the seller VAT field.
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Your first two e-invoices are free.

No credit card. No installation. Just upload your PDF and download a compliant e-invoice.

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