What is an e-invoice?

An e-invoice is an invoice in a structured, machine-readable data format according to the European standard EN 16931 — in Germany mainly ZUGFeRD (hybrid: PDF with embedded XML) and XRechnung (pure XML). A PDF or photo alone is NOT an e-invoice.

When is the e-invoice mandatory in Germany?

Since 1 January 2025 all domestic companies must be able to receive B2B e-invoices. The obligation to issue them is phased in: from 2027 for companies with more than EUR 800,000 prior-year turnover, from 2028 for all others.

What is the difference between ZUGFeRD and XRechnung?

ZUGFeRD is a hybrid format: a human-readable PDF with embedded XML. XRechnung is pure XML without a visual document and is mandatory for invoices to public authorities. Both are based on EN 16931.

Which formats does this validator check?

ZUGFeRD and Factur-X PDFs (the embedded XML is extracted in the browser) as well as XRechnung XML in both syntaxes, CII and UBL.

Is my invoice data safe when I upload it?

Yes. The check runs entirely in your browser (client-side). No data is transmitted to a server — your invoice never leaves your device.

Does the tool also verify the cryptographic signature?

No. The validator checks the format, EN 16931 mandatory fields and arithmetic consistency and displays the contained data. A cryptographic signature check is not part of this free tool.

Check E-Invoice & ZUGFeRD — free online validator

Format & mandatory-field checks

Invoice data

Seller & buyer

Line items

#	Description	Qty	Unit	Net

VAT breakdown

Category	Rate	Base	Tax

Totals

Format, mandatory-field and arithmetic check — no cryptographic signature verification. All data was processed locally in your browser only.

Upload an invoice above — the result appears here.

What data is inside an e-invoice?

An e-invoice per EN 16931 contains fixed "business terms" (BT fields). The validator reads, among others, these:

Field	Meaning	EN 16931
Invoice number	Unique number of the invoice	BT-1
Issue date	Date the invoice was issued	BT-2
Invoice type	e.g. 380 = invoice, 381 = credit note	BT-3
Currency	Invoice currency (e.g. EUR)	BT-5
Buyer reference / routing ID	Mandatory for invoices to public authorities	BT-10
Seller + VAT ID	Name and tax number of the issuer	BT-27 / BT-31
Buyer	Name of the recipient	BT-44
Line items	Goods/services with quantity, unit and line price	BG-25
VAT breakdown	Base, rate, amount and category per tax rate	BG-23
Totals	Net (BT-109), tax (BT-110), gross (BT-112), amount due (BT-115)	BG-22

E-invoice, ZUGFeRD & XRechnung — explained

An e-invoice is an invoice in a structured, machine-readable format per the EU standard EN 16931. A view-only PDF or a scanned image does not count as an e-invoice. Two formats dominate in Germany:

ZUGFeRD / Factur-X — hybrid: a readable PDF with embedded XML. Ideal because both humans and software can process the invoice.
XRechnung — pure XML without a visual document, mandatory for invoices to public authorities (with a routing ID).

E-invoice obligation: the deadlines

Since 01 Jan 2025 — all domestic companies must be able to receive B2B e-invoices.
From 01 Jan 2027 — issuing obligation for companies above EUR 800,000 prior-year turnover.
From 01 Jan 2028 — issuing obligation for all remaining companies.

ZUGFeRD vs. XRechnung

Aspect	ZUGFeRD / Factur-X	XRechnung
Structure	Hybrid: PDF + embedded XML	Pure XML
Syntax	CII	CII or UBL
Visual document	Yes (in the PDF)	No (viewer needed)
Typical use	B2B in general	Invoices to authorities (B2G)
Standard	both based on EN 16931

Frequently asked questions

An invoice in a structured, machine-readable data format per EN 16931 — in Germany mainly ZUGFeRD (hybrid: PDF + XML) and XRechnung (pure XML). A PDF or photo alone is not an e-invoice.

Since 1 January 2025 all domestic companies must be able to receive B2B e-invoices. The issuing obligation applies from 2027 (above EUR 800,000 turnover) and from 2028 for all others.

ZUGFeRD is hybrid (readable PDF with embedded XML), XRechnung is pure XML without a visual document and mandatory for public authorities. Both are based on EN 16931.

ZUGFeRD and Factur-X PDFs (the embedded XML is extracted in the browser) and XRechnung XML in both syntaxes, CII and UBL.

Yes. The check runs entirely in your browser. No data is transmitted to a server — your invoice never leaves your device.

No. The tool checks format, EN-16931 mandatory fields and arithmetic consistency, and displays all contained data. A cryptographic signature check is not part of this free tool.

Create & send e-invoices automatically — with BIS ERP

Our cloud ERP BIS ERP produces compliant ZUGFeRD and XRechnung documents at the push of a button, archives them in a GoBD-compliant way and exports to DATEV — from quote to dunning.

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See invoicing features
Pricing & modules

E-invoice right at the point of sale — with BISpicy POS

Our TSE-compliant Android POS system BISpicy POS can issue an A4 invoice as ZUGFeRD per sale and imports incoming e-invoices — perfect for hospitality, retail & services.

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Incoming-invoice import
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Check e-invoices & ZUGFeRD for free