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Germany · E-Rechnung

Germany E-Invoicing Integration (XRechnung & ZUGFeRD)

Produce valid XRechnung and ZUGFeRD e-invoices from the ERP you already use, deliver them by Peppol, email or portal, and import inbound e-invoices into accounts payable.

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Who must comply with Germany e-invoicing?

The mandate covers domestic B2B transactions between businesses established in Germany. Key points:

  • Receiving: every business must be able to receive and process structured e-invoices.
  • Issuing: phased in, with transition periods during which other invoice forms are still allowed, depending on prior-year turnover.
  • Exclusions: B2C, small-value invoices and certain other cases are excluded.
  • B2G: federal and most state public bodies already require XRechnung.

Foreign companies with German establishments and domestic B2B sales are affected too. Confirm your dates with the BMF guidance.

How does German e-invoicing work?

German e-invoicing flow: structured invoice exchange with compliant archiving (post-audit model): Your ERP → Co-Mate connector → Delivery channel → Buyer → ArchiveYour ERPInvoice postedCo-Mate connectorXRechnung / ZUGFeRDDelivery channelPeppol, email or portalBuyerValidates & importsArchiveGoBD-compliant storage
German e-invoicing flow: structured invoice exchange with compliant archiving (post-audit model)

Germany uses a post-audit model. Invoices are exchanged directly between businesses by email, portal, EDI or Peppol. There is no clearance and no real-time reporting to the tax authority today, but invoices must be valid structured documents and stored in line with GoBD retention rules.

Definition: XRechnung
Germany's national CIUS of the European e-invoicing standard EN 16931, delivered as UBL or CII XML and maintained by KoSIT.

Which e-invoice formats are valid in Germany?

  • XRechnung (UBL or CII), required by most public-sector buyers.
  • ZUGFeRD 2.x hybrid PDF/A-3 with embedded XML, in EN 16931-conformant profiles (EN 16931, EXTENDED, XRECHNUNG).
  • EDI formats, where both parties agree and the required data can be extracted in line with EN 16931.
  • Leitweg-ID routing identifier for public-sector invoices.

How does Co-Mate add XRechnung and ZUGFeRD to your ERP?

We build a module that turns posted ERP invoices into XRechnung or ZUGFeRD per customer, validates them with the official KoSIT rules, and delivers them through your chosen channel or a Peppol Access Point. Inbound e-invoices are validated, shown in readable form and created as draft supplier bills. The original XML is archived. The same platform can also serve France and Spain.

Which ERPs and billing systems do we support for Germany?

  • SAP Business One
  • SAP (via IDoc/interfaces)
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365
  • Oracle NetSuite
  • Sage
  • Odoo
  • DATEV (via exports)
  • Custom PHP / .NET / Java
  • POS systems

Don't see yours? If it stores invoices in a database or exposes an API, export or webhook, we can connect it. See all ERP e-invoicing integrations.

Implementation steps

A predictable path from first call to live, monitored e-invoicing.

  1. 1

    Obligation check

    Confirm your receiving obligation now and the date your issuing obligation applies, based on your entities and prior-year turnover.

  2. 2

    Format choice

    Decide between XRechnung and EN 16931-conformant ZUGFeRD per customer group, and whether Peppol or email delivery fits.

  3. 3

    Mapping

    Map ERP data to EN 16931 fields, German CIUS rules and Leitweg-IDs for public customers.

  4. 4

    Build send & receive

    Generate XRechnung/ZUGFeRD, deliver via Peppol, email or portal, and import inbound e-invoices into AP with validation and visualisation.

  5. 5

    Validation & testing

    Validate with the official KoSIT validator and Schematron rules, and test with real customers and suppliers.

  6. 6

    Archiving & go-live

    GoBD-compliant storage of the original XML and switch-on per entity, with monitoring.

Common Germany e-invoicing challenges and how we handle them

ChallengeWhy it mattersHow we handle it
Receiving obligation already appliesEvery business must be able to accept and process e-invoices.Inbound import with validation, human-readable view and AP draft bills.
Choosing XRechnung vs ZUGFeRDCustomers may require different formats.Per-customer format settings from one canonical model.
Leitweg-ID for public customersB2G invoices are rejected without the correct routing ID.Leitweg-ID stored on customer records and validated before sending.
Validation errorsInvalid XML is not a valid e-invoice.Official KoSIT validation in the pipeline before delivery.
GoBD archivingThe XML original must be stored unaltered and retrievable.Archive of original files with hashes and search.

Germany e-invoicing FAQ

Is e-invoicing mandatory in Germany?

Yes, for domestic B2B transactions. Under the Growth Opportunities Act, all businesses must be able to receive structured e-invoices, and the obligation to issue them is phased in, with transition periods that depend on prior-year turnover. Check the Federal Ministry of Finance guidance for the dates that apply to you.

What counts as an e-invoice in Germany?

A structured electronic invoice that conforms to the European standard EN 16931, such as XRechnung or ZUGFeRD (from version 2.0.1, excluding the MINIMUM and BASIC WL profiles). A plain PDF is no longer an e-invoice for B2B purposes once the issuing obligation applies.

What is the difference between XRechnung and ZUGFeRD?

XRechnung is pure XML (UBL or CII) following the German CIUS of EN 16931. ZUGFeRD is a hybrid PDF/A-3 with embedded XML; its EN 16931-conformant profiles are accepted. Public-sector clients usually require XRechnung.

Do I need Peppol in Germany?

Not for B2B in general: e-invoices can be exchanged by email, portal or Peppol. For federal B2G invoices, Peppol is one of the accepted channels alongside the federal invoice portals.

Does Germany clear invoices with the tax authority?

No. Germany currently uses a post-audit model: there is no real-time clearance or reporting, but invoices must be stored compliantly (GoBD) and be available for audit.

Can our non-German ERP produce XRechnung?

Yes. We generate XRechnung and ZUGFeRD from SAP, Dynamics, NetSuite, Odoo, Sage and custom systems, and import inbound e-invoices. See the ERP integrations page.

Official sources

Last reviewed:

E-invoicing rules, timelines and technical specifications change often. This page summarises the official guidance as we understood it on the review date. Always confirm obligations and dates with the tax authority or your tax adviser before acting. Co-Mate provides integration engineering, not tax or legal advice.

Related e-invoicing guides

Make your ERP Germany e-invoicing ready without replacing it.

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