FAQ and guide to the e-invoice

Who must issue e-invoices, and from when?

The obligation applies to invoices between businesses in Germany. Since 1 January 2025, all businesses must be able to receive e-invoices. For issuing, there is a transition period:

• From 1 January 2027, businesses with a prior-year turnover above €800,000 must issue e-invoices.
• From 1 January 2028, the obligation applies to all businesses.

When do I not need an e-invoice?

Invoices to private customers and invoices up to €250 gross are exempt. Small businesses (§ 19 UStG) may issue an ordinary invoice instead of an e-invoice, but must be able to receive e-invoices.

ZUGFeRD or XRechnung?

ZUGFeRD is a PDF anyone can open, with the invoice data embedded as XML as well. It suits most invoices to businesses and also works for customers who do not need an e-invoice. We produce the EN 16931 profile.

XRechnung is pure XML without a PDF view. It is mainly used for public-sector customers. Both formats comply with the EN 16931 standard, which is what the law requires.

What is a Leitweg-ID?

For public-sector customers, the Leitweg-ID identifies the office the invoice goes to. You get it from your customer. We check its format and check digits.

What applies under § 13b UStG?

For certain services, the recipient owes the VAT (reverse charge), for example often for construction services between businesses. The invoice then shows no VAT and carries a mandatory statement. You choose § 13b as the VAT type, and we add the statement automatically. Whether § 13b applies in your case is a question for your tax advisor.

What applies under § 19 UStG?

Small businesses show no VAT and state the reason on the invoice. You choose the small-business VAT type, and we add the statement automatically. Without a VAT ID, the tax number is enough in our form.

Who archives my invoices?

You do. We do not store generated invoices, neither in the free generator nor in Pro. Invoices must be kept unchanged for 8 years. That is your duty as the issuer. Please download every invoice and put it in your archive.

Who assigns the invoice numbers?

You do. Invoice numbers must be unique and consecutive (§ 14 UStG). For this, Pro shows you the number of your last invoice.

How do I correct an invoice I created?

An issued invoice is not changed. You create a cancellation that refers to the original number, and then a new invoice.

Do you use cookies or tracking?

No tracking: no analytics tools, no Meta Pixel, no content from third parties. This website and the free generator set cookies in one case only:

• If you come to us from an ad with a promo code, we ask whether we may store the code in a cookie for 90 days. We set this cookie only if you agree. With it we fill in the code when you register, and we count, without any link to you as a person, how many visitors an ad brought. We pass nothing on to Meta or other third parties.
• We remember your answer, yes or no, for 6 months in a second cookie, so we do not ask again. If you say no, you can use everything just the same.

In Pro, logging in needs a session cookie and, if you choose “Stay logged in”, a cookie for 30 days.

What is not possible yet?

Advance, partial and final invoices, discounts and early-payment discounts, and attachments are not supported yet. You cannot read or export received e-invoices with us.