ZUGFeRD and Factur-X Validator: check hybrid PDF and CII XML
Upload a hybrid PDF or a CII XML file. We check the invoice XML against the rules of its profile and, for PDFs, the embedding and PDF/A-3 as well, before the recipient rejects the invoice.
Upload ZUGFeRD / Factur-X invoice
PDF max 20 MB • XML max 2 MB
- ZUGFeRD 2.5 / Factur-X 1.09
- Hybrid PDF or CII XML
- PDF/A-3b with veraPDF
- Free, no account
The validator only checks the file and sends nothing. You deliver the invoice to your recipient through your usual channel.
What the validator checks
- Profile rules: XML schema and Schematron of the detected profile, from MINIMUM through BASIC and EN 16931 to EXTENDED.
- Embedding: whether the PDF contains a CII XML file attached with the Factur-X metadata.
- PDF/A-3b: conformance of the PDF, checked with veraPDF. This check runs for PDF uploads only.
ZUGFeRD is a hybrid of PDF and XML. If your recipient checks the embedded XML against XRechnung rules, select the XRechnung output profile when you convert to ZUGFeRD. If your recipient requires a pure XRechnung, you need an XRechnung XML file. Convert PDF to XRechnung
How it works
- Upload a hybrid PDF (up to 20 MB) or a CII XML file (up to 2 MB).
- Read the result: detected profile, errors, and warnings with rule codes.
- Fix, check again, and only then send.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ZUGFeRD validator free?
Yes. The validator is free and works without an account. Without signing in, each IP address can run up to 30 checks per hour and no more than 6 per minute. PDFs can be up to 20 MB, XML files up to 2 MB.
Should I check the hybrid PDF or only the XML?
Check the hybrid PDF that you send. The validator then checks the embedded XML against the profile rules, plus the embedding and PDF/A-3b. A separate CII XML file is checked against the profile rules only.
How is it different from the XRechnung validator?
The ZUGFeRD validator checks CII invoices against the ZUGFeRD 2.5 and Factur-X 1.09 profiles. The XRechnung validator uses the KoSIT validator to check EN 16931 and the German XRechnung rules (BR-DE), in UBL or CII. If you upload a file to the wrong validator, the page detects its format and names the matching validator, where one exists.
Does this check replace the recipient's validation?
No. The check shows whether the file meets the rules of its format and profile. Recipients and portals can have further requirements, for example a specific profile, a purchase order reference, or a Leitweg-ID, and they check incoming invoices themselves.
What happens to my file?
The validator processes only the file you upload, to create the validation report. The file is sent to our validation services and is not stored after the check; temporary working copies are deleted immediately. We do not pass the file on to recipients, portals, or AI services. Technical logs (for example status, response time, and error codes) are kept for a limited time, as described in the privacy policy.
Privacy policyYou only have a PDF invoice without embedded XML?
Invoice Converter reads the PDF invoice, shows you the extracted data for review, and creates a ZUGFeRD PDF that is validated before download.
Subscriptions from €10/month excl. taxes with annual billing, or €5 per conversion excl. taxes without a subscription.
What does ZUGFeRD validation check?
A ZUGFeRD or Factur-X invoice has two layers: a PDF for people and an embedded CII XML file for software. The XML layer is checked against the XML schema and the Schematron rules of its profile. The PDF layer must meet PDF/A-3 and carry the XML as an attachment with Factur-X metadata.
Checking both layers before delivery finds malformed XML, missing profile data, a missing or wrongly attached XML file, and PDF/A-3 errors that can stop processing at the recipient.
What is ZUGFeRD / Factur-X?
ZUGFeRD is a hybrid e-invoice format: a PDF/A-3 file also carries the invoice data as an embedded CII XML file. Factur-X is the joint French-German standard; from ZUGFeRD 2.1 onwards, the two are technically identical. Both use CII syntax and the same profiles from MINIMUM to EXTENDED. ZUGFeRD adds an XRECHNUNG profile.
Learn more about the ZUGFeRD Format and ZUGFeRD Profile Guide.
EN 16931 European Standard
EN 16931 is the European standard for the semantic data model of electronic invoices. It defines the core elements required for cross-border e-invoicing within the EU. XRechnung implements EN 16931 with additional German-specific rules (CIUS). Validation against EN 16931 ensures your invoices meet the minimum requirements for European e-invoicing.