DE
ENE-invoice guide
Convert a PDF invoice into an e-invoice - without redoing your layout
Between German businesses a plain PDF is on its way out as an invoice: EN 16931 data is mandatory for issuing from 01/01/2027 above 800,000 euros previous-year turnover and from 01/01/2028 for everyone. The good news: your existing PDF can carry that data - as ZUGFeRD.
Check what you have
Drop your file into the free e-invoice check. It tells you whether it already is a valid e-invoice - and if not, which rule fails.
Embed the XML into your PDF
The ZUGFeRD embedder takes your existing PDF, adds the structured EN 16931 data and produces a compliant PDF/A-3 - your layout stays untouched.
Or skip PDFs entirely
For a new invoice, the free version of Fakturen creates one ZUGFeRD e-invoice per day without an account, with a light Fakturen logo at the bottom of every page. The Plus invoicing suite creates XRechnung and ZUGFeRD without a limit and without the Fakturen logo.
The three doors
- Check a file for free - no account, result with rule IDs.
- Create a ZUGFeRD e-invoice for free - one per day, without an account, with a light Fakturen logo at the bottom of every page.
- Convert an existing PDF - ZUGFeRD embedder, part of Plus. Plus costs €9.99 per month in the Gold founder phase through 20/10/2026. That price is retained only while the qualifying subscription remains uninterrupted. The 14-day trial starts only after the payment provider has confirmed the billing details.
FAQ
Is a normal PDF invoice an e-invoice?
No. A legal e-invoice is a structured data set per EN 16931 - XRechnung (pure XML) or ZUGFeRD (a PDF with embedded XML). A plain PDF is just a picture of the invoice and does not satisfy the mandate.
How does my PDF become a ZUGFeRD invoice?
The invoice data (amounts, tax rates, sender, recipient) is generated as EN 16931 XML and embedded into the PDF - the result is a PDF/A-3 readable by humans and machines. That is exactly what the ZUGFeRD embedder does: upload the PDF, enter the data, download the finished ZUGFeRD invoice.
What does it cost?
Validation is free (e-invoice check, no account). The free version of Fakturen creates one ZUGFeRD e-invoice per day, with a light Fakturen logo at the bottom of every page. XRechnung, unlimited e-invoices without the Fakturen logo and embedding into an existing PDF belong to Plus. Plus costs €9.99 per month in the Gold founder phase through 20/10/2026. That price is retained only while the qualifying subscription remains uninterrupted. The 14-day trial starts only after the payment provider has confirmed the billing details.
Is ZUGFeRD enough, or do I need XRechnung?
For B2B invoices between businesses both formats satisfy the mandate as long as they conform to EN 16931 (ZUGFeRD from version 2.0.1, EN 16931 profile). Public authorities, however, usually require XRechnung with a routing ID (Leitweg-ID).
My converted invoice was rejected - why?
Usually mandatory fields are missing in the XML (e.g. payment terms, contact details, or the buyer reference for authorities) or a field violates one of the EN 16931 business rules. The free e-invoice check shows the exact rule ID and the affected element.
Background: The complete e-invoicing timeline 2025-2028