# Factur-X

French hybrid e-invoice format, aligned with ZUGFeRD and EN 16931 profiles.

## Definition

French hybrid e-invoice format, aligned with ZUGFeRD and EN 16931 profiles.

## Why this term matters

Factur-X is the only hybrid format explicitly accepted by Chorus Pro for French B2G and is on track to be a primary format for the upcoming French B2B reform routed through PPF/PDP platforms (rollout 2026–2027). Because Factur-X 1.0+ is technically aligned with ZUGFeRD 2.x, a single PDF/A-3 with embedded CII can satisfy both German and French recipients.

## Explanation

Uses a PDF container with embedded XML for structured processing.

Typically used alongside French routing requirements (platform-dependent).

## Common mistakes

- Naming the embedded XML something other than factur-x.xml — the Factur-X 1.0+ spec mandates this exact filename at the PDF root.
- Setting AFRelationship to "Source" or "Supplement" — Factur-X 1.0+ requires "Data" (older 0.x readers used "Alternative").
- Using the MINIMUM or BASIC WL profile to bill a customer — these subset profiles cannot legally replace the human-readable invoice in France because they lack required EN 16931 totals.
- Embedding XMP metadata that omits the fx:DocumentType, fx:DocumentFileName and fx:Version entries the spec requires for downstream Factur-X readers.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Factur-X mandatory for the French B2B reform?
Factur-X is one of the three core formats explicitly named in the FNFE-MPE/AIFE technical specs alongside UBL Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 and UN/CEFACT CII. Suppliers and PDPs may choose, but Factur-X is the only one that ships with a human-readable PDF in the same artifact.

### Which Factur-X profile should I use?
For full EN 16931 conformance and Chorus Pro acceptance, use EN 16931 (BASIC+) or EXTENDED. MINIMUM and BASIC WL are intended for credit-management or accounts-payable workflows, not for end-customer invoicing.

### Can a Factur-X file be opened as a normal PDF?
Yes — the human-readable layer is a fully valid PDF/A-3, so any PDF reader can render it. Compliant downstream systems additionally extract the embedded factur-x.xml for structured processing.

## Related resources

- [PDF to Factur-X](/pdf-to-facturx)

## Related terms

- [ZUGFeRD](/resources/glossary/zugferd): Hybrid e-invoice format: a human-readable PDF with embedded XML.
- [CII](/resources/glossary/cii): UN/CEFACT Cross Industry Invoice: an XML syntax used for e-invoices.
- [EN 16931](/resources/glossary/en-16931): European standard defining the semantic data model for e-invoices.