E-Invoice Formats in Germany 2025: Which Formats Are Allowed?

E-Invoice Formats in Germany 2025: Complete Guide to Allowed Standards

Germany's e-invoicing landscape has evolved significantly with the implementation of EU-wide standards. Understanding which formats are legally compliant is crucial for businesses operating in Germany, especially with the upcoming B2B e-invoicing mandate. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of all allowed e-invoice formats in Germany for 2025 and beyond.

At Invoice-Converter.com, we specialize in converting between all approved German e-invoice formats, ensuring your business stays compliant with current regulations.

Allowed E-Invoice Formats in Germany

1. XRechnung (XML Format)

XRechnung is Germany's national e-invoice standard, mandatory for B2G (business-to-government) transactions since 2020. It's a pure XML format based on European standard EN 16931.

• Use case: Government invoicing, B2G transactions
• Format: XML only
• Standard: EN 16931 with German CIUS
• Benefits: Machine-readable, automated processing

2. ZUGFeRD (Hybrid PDF/XML Format)

ZUGFeRD combines human-readable PDF with embedded structured XML data, making it ideal for businesses that need both visual and machine-readable formats.

• Use case: B2B transactions, mixed audiences
• Format: PDF/A-3 with embedded XML
• Standard: EN 16931 compliant
• Benefits: Visual invoice + automated processing

3. Factur-X (International ZUGFeRD)

Factur-X became identical to ZUGFeRD as of September 18, 2024, representing the international version of the German standard.

• Use case: International B2B transactions
• Format: PDF/A-3 with embedded XML
• Standard: EN 16931 compliant
• Benefits: Cross-border compatibility

4. PEPPOL BIS Billing 3.0

PEPPOL is widely used for cross-border European transactions and public procurement.

• Use case: European cross-border transactions
• Format: UBL 2.1 XML
• Standard: EN 16931 compliant
• Benefits: Pan-European network

5. UN/EDIFACT (Legacy Support)

EDIFACT remains valid only if it meets EN 16931 compatibility requirements.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Business

Scenario	Recommended Format	Reason
Government invoicing	XRechnung	Mandatory for B2G
B2B with visual needs	ZUGFeRD	PDF + automation
International trade	Factur-X or PEPPOL	Cross-border support
Full automation	XRechnung or UBL	Pure XML formats

Staying Compliant

The German e-invoicing landscape continues to evolve. Stay informed about updates to standards and regulations, and ensure your chosen format meets current requirements. With upcoming B2B mandates, having the right format strategy is more important than ever.

For businesses looking to implement e-invoicing, we recommend starting with the formats most relevant to your customer base and gradually expanding support as needed. Our conversion tools at Invoice-Converter.com make it easy to switch between formats as your needs change.