{"id":10360,"date":"2025-03-21T11:13:49","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T10:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/e-invoice-formats-in-comparison\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T09:13:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T08:13:59","slug":"e-invoice-formats-in-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/en\/e-invoice-formats-in-comparison\/","title":{"rendered":"E-invoice formats in comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-9qw1x4-c3b86e4ea6e647e2c9ca89d65e60ed6e\">\n.avia-section.av-9qw1x4-c3b86e4ea6e647e2c9ca89d65e60ed6e{\nbackground-repeat:no-repeat;\nbackground-image:url(https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/IMG_0290-1500x430.jpg);\nbackground-position:50% 0%;\nbackground-attachment:scroll;\n}\n.avia-section.av-9qw1x4-c3b86e4ea6e647e2c9ca89d65e60ed6e .av-section-color-overlay{\nopacity:0.6;\nbackground-color:#9e9e9e;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section av-9qw1x4-c3b86e4ea6e647e2c9ca89d65e60ed6e main_color avia-section-large avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first  avia-full-stretch avia-bg-style-scroll av-section-color-overlay-active container_wrap sidebar_right'  data-section-bg-repeat='stretch'><div class=\"av-section-color-overlay-wrap\"><div class=\"av-section-color-overlay\"><\/div><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-10360'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ketug55b-11b45758f24a80fb50d7cec695898d17\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-ketug55b-11b45758f24a80fb50d7cec695898d17{\npadding-bottom:0;\ncolor:#ffffff;\nfont-size:40px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-ketug55b-11b45758f24a80fb50d7cec695898d17 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-ketug55b-11b45758f24a80fb50d7cec695898d17 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:40px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-ketug55b-11b45758f24a80fb50d7cec695898d17 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#ffffff;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-ketug55b-11b45758f24a80fb50d7cec695898d17 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-ketug55b-11b45758f24a80fb50d7cec695898d17 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-ketug55b-11b45758f24a80fb50d7cec695898d17 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-ketug55b-11b45758f24a80fb50d7cec695898d17 av-special-heading-h1 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-1  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  av-inherit-size av-linked-heading'><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >E-invoice formats in comparison<\/h1><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_1'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-10360'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketpty5e-f8abcb285d5ae567835bd774f926eb44 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>E-invoicing has been mandatory for companies in Germany since January 1, 2025. This obligation affects the B2B sector in particular and is intended to drive forward the digitalization of accounting. In this context, various e-invoice formats such as ZUGFeRD and XRechnung are becoming increasingly important. A comparison of these formats illustrates their specific features and areas of application.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ijrto8-c84df1a988d68aea33b9c548854031f4\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8ijrto8-c84df1a988d68aea33b9c548854031f4{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8ijrto8-c84df1a988d68aea33b9c548854031f4 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8ijrto8-c84df1a988d68aea33b9c548854031f4 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8ijrto8-c84df1a988d68aea33b9c548854031f4 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >ZUGFeRD<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ijtp5k-04a103a574c57132ca09985f79f7f539\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8ijtp5k-04a103a574c57132ca09985f79f7f539 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8ijtp5k-04a103a574c57132ca09985f79f7f539 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mittelstand-digital-wertnetzwerke.de\/interoperabilitaet\/standards-im-e-business\/transaktion\/zugferd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ZUGFeRD<\/a> (Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland) combines a PDF\/A-3 file with embedded XML data. This hybrid format enables both human readability and automatic processing of invoice data. ZUGFeRD is aimed at companies of all sizes and facilitates the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexware.de\/wissen\/faktura-warenwirtschaft\/e-rechnung\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">exchange of electronic invoices in the B2B sector<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>ZUGFeRD offers companies numerous advantages:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Simple implementation:<\/strong> As ZUGFeRD is based on the widely used PDF, it can be easily integrated into existing invoice processes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Flexibility:<\/strong> The hybrid format allows both automated processing and manual checking by the invoice recipient.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Legal certainty:<\/strong> ZUGFeRD meets the requirements of the European standard EN 16931 and therefore fulfills all tax and legal requirements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cost savings:<\/strong> By automating the invoicing process, manual intervention is minimized, which reduces administrative costs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>International compatibility:<\/strong> ZUGFeRD is recognized in several countries and can be used in international business relationships without any problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/e-rechnung\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spesenfuchs supports the ZUGFeRD formats<\/a> from version 2.0.1, which ensures that all legal requirements are met and companies can process their invoices correctly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ik20tn-8713d51456593f88b8c3caad4c4fb432\">\n.avia-image-container.av-m8ik20tn-8713d51456593f88b8c3caad4c4fb432 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-m8ik20tn-8713d51456593f88b8c3caad4c4fb432 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-m8ik20tn-8713d51456593f88b8c3caad4c4fb432 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_heading '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-10371 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-10371 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Advantages-of-ZUGFeRD_Grafik-1030x552.png\" alt='Advantages of ZUGFeRD' title='Advantages of ZUGFeRD_Grafik'  height=\"552\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Advantages-of-ZUGFeRD_Grafik-1030x552.png 1030w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Advantages-of-ZUGFeRD_Grafik-300x161.png 300w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Advantages-of-ZUGFeRD_Grafik-768x411.png 768w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Advantages-of-ZUGFeRD_Grafik-1536x823.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Advantages-of-ZUGFeRD_Grafik-2048x1097.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Advantages-of-ZUGFeRD_Grafik-1500x804.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Advantages-of-ZUGFeRD_Grafik-705x378.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ijyro5-8a80ce6ea2eb89b4c400989981aba814\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8ijyro5-8a80ce6ea2eb89b4c400989981aba814{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8ijyro5-8a80ce6ea2eb89b4c400989981aba814 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8ijyro5-8a80ce6ea2eb89b4c400989981aba814 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8ijyro5-8a80ce6ea2eb89b4c400989981aba814 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_textblock '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Possible pitfalls and solutions<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ik63n9-6cf573d4a2792680743863ce1b82b562\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8ik63n9-6cf573d4a2792680743863ce1b82b562 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8ik63n9-6cf573d4a2792680743863ce1b82b562 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Outdated formats such as ZUGFeRD 1.0, which do not comply with current standards, are particularly problematic. In such cases, companies believe that they have received a compliant invoice. However, input tax deduction is often not possible with these old versions. Incorrect or manipulated XML data also harbors a risk and can lead to financial losses.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What can companies do?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Have e-invoices validated:<\/strong> It is important to check e-invoices for compliance. Programs such as Spesenfuchs perform this validation automatically and prevent incorrect invoices from being processed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contact the supplier:<\/strong> In the case of incorrect or outdated invoices, the supplier should be contacted and insisted on a correction.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Build up technical knowledge:<\/strong> Companies should familiarize themselves with the technical requirements of the latest ZUGFeRD formats, such as ZUGFeRD 2.0.1 or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.e-rechnung-bund.de\/faq\/xrechnung\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">XRechnung<\/a> 3.0. A central component of the e-invoice is the XML document, which contains the machine-readable data. If this is manipulated by fraudsters &#8211; for example, by using incorrect IBANs or amounts &#8211; and the invoice is released, the amount would be transferred to the wrong account.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ask if bank details have changed:<\/strong> If you change your bank details, you should call to make sure that the change is legitimate. Confirmed and known bank details can be saved and compared with new invoices.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use spam filters and security protocols:<\/strong> If an email passes the SPF or DKIM test even though it appears suspicious, it can be assumed that the sender domain has been hacked. In such cases, the domain information can be checked and abuse reported.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use anti-spam and anti-malware software:<\/strong> Emails should be filtered by anti-spam programs to block potential threats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ik6kp8-e20ba0482cd79bf9219763a67479e166\">\n.avia-image-container.av-m8ik6kp8-e20ba0482cd79bf9219763a67479e166 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-m8ik6kp8-e20ba0482cd79bf9219763a67479e166 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-m8ik6kp8-e20ba0482cd79bf9219763a67479e166 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_heading '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-10369 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-10369 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/E-Invoice-Security-and-Management_Grafik-1030x826.png\" alt='E-Invoice Security and Management' title='E-Invoice Security and Management_Grafik'  height=\"826\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/E-Invoice-Security-and-Management_Grafik-1030x826.png 1030w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/E-Invoice-Security-and-Management_Grafik-300x241.png 300w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/E-Invoice-Security-and-Management_Grafik-768x616.png 768w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/E-Invoice-Security-and-Management_Grafik-1536x1233.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/E-Invoice-Security-and-Management_Grafik-2048x1643.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/E-Invoice-Security-and-Management_Grafik-1500x1204.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/E-Invoice-Security-and-Management_Grafik-705x566.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ik7off-825fb960457f48bc88a9e56cbfc08037\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8ik7off-825fb960457f48bc88a9e56cbfc08037{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8ik7off-825fb960457f48bc88a9e56cbfc08037 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8ik7off-825fb960457f48bc88a9e56cbfc08037 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8ik7off-825fb960457f48bc88a9e56cbfc08037 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_textblock '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >XRechnung<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8ikch8k-5e5098d81dee621aca2a83af8a4d3ced '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>XRechnung is a structured, XML-based format that meets the requirements of the European standard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truecommerce.com\/de\/faq\/en-16931\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EN 16931<\/a>. It was developed specifically for the exchange of electronic invoices with public clients and has been mandatory for invoices to federal authorities since November 2020. XRechnung only contains machine-readable data and does not have a visual representation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ikdlpu-aaf7db57cb55ee7e6a6a815e0fdf17c4\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8ikdlpu-aaf7db57cb55ee7e6a6a815e0fdf17c4{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8ikdlpu-aaf7db57cb55ee7e6a6a815e0fdf17c4 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8ikdlpu-aaf7db57cb55ee7e6a6a815e0fdf17c4 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8ikdlpu-aaf7db57cb55ee7e6a6a815e0fdf17c4 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_table '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Comparison of formats<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class='avia-data-table-wrap av-bppvafs-baa1265579b28858cba19814616f2d7f avia_responsive_table avia-table-1'><table  class='avia-table avia-data-table avia_pricing_minimal  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading '  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Table\" ><tbody><tr class='avia-heading-row'><th class='avia-desc-col'>Feature<\/th><th class=''>XInvoice<\/th><th class=''>ZUGFeRD<\/th><\/tr><tr class=''><th class='avia-desc-col'>Structure<\/th><td class=''>Pure XML format<\/td><td class=''>Hybrid format: PDF\/A-3 with embedded XML<\/td><\/tr><tr class=''><th class='avia-desc-col'>Readability<\/th><td class=''>Machine readable only<\/td><td class=''>Human and machine readable<\/td><\/tr><tr class=''><th class='avia-desc-col'>Area of application<\/th><td class=''>Mandatory for invoices to public clients<\/td><td class=''>B2B, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.destatis.de\/DE\/Themen\/Branchen-Unternehmen\/Unternehmen\/IKT-in-Unternehmen-IKT-Branche\/Glossar\/b-2g.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">B2G<\/a>, suitable for different company sizes<\/td><\/tr><tr class=''><th class='avia-desc-col'>Standard<\/th><td class=''>Complies with EN 16931<\/td><td class=''>Complies with EN 16931 (from version 2.0)<\/td><\/tr><tr class=''><th class='avia-desc-col'>Profiles<\/th><td class=''>No subdivision<\/td><td class=''>Different profiles depending on information requirements<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><style type='text\/css'>.avia-table-1 td:nth-of-type(0):before { content: 'Feature'; } .avia-table-1 td:nth-of-type(1):before { content: 'XInvoice'; } .avia-table-1 td:nth-of-type(2):before { content: 'ZUGFeRD'; } <\/style>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ilby7p-c1fa11509f6b87ff1d00a15cced56db9\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8ilby7p-c1fa11509f6b87ff1d00a15cced56db9{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8ilby7p-c1fa11509f6b87ff1d00a15cced56db9 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8ilby7p-c1fa11509f6b87ff1d00a15cced56db9 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8ilby7p-c1fa11509f6b87ff1d00a15cced56db9 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_table  el_before_av_textblock '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Other formats<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ildpzu-739457591bcd03a8d5ca034bab6a701a\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8ildpzu-739457591bcd03a8d5ca034bab6a701a .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8ildpzu-739457591bcd03a8d5ca034bab6a701a '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>In addition to XRechnung and ZUGFeRD, there are other e-invoice formats:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ecosio.com\/de\/blog\/was-ist-factur-x-und-wie-haengt-dieser-standard-mit-zugferd-und-xrechnung-zusammen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Factur-X:<\/a> A French format that corresponds to the ZUGFeRD standard and also has a hybrid structure.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.e-rechnung-bund.de\/ubertragungskanale\/peppol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PEPPOL:<\/a> A European network that enables the standardized exchange of electronic business documents, including invoices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ilyrw7-31448ceba26462256b63de0ed5fe7d9e\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8ilyrw7-31448ceba26462256b63de0ed5fe7d9e{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8ilyrw7-31448ceba26462256b63de0ed5fe7d9e .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8ilyrw7-31448ceba26462256b63de0ed5fe7d9e .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8ilyrw7-31448ceba26462256b63de0ed5fe7d9e av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Transitional regulation<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8ilz75w-ee8137a0a003be48f24d97ac79875d9d '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>There is a transitional period for companies that do not yet use e-invoices. Until December 31, 2026, invoices may continue to be sent in paper form or as a PDF, provided the recipient agrees. From 2027, however, electronic invoicing will be mandatory for all companies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8ilzmlp-84f37b4df05a225f79d33a7d36dd900a\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8ilzmlp-84f37b4df05a225f79d33a7d36dd900a{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8ilzmlp-84f37b4df05a225f79d33a7d36dd900a .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8ilzmlp-84f37b4df05a225f79d33a7d36dd900a .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8ilzmlp-84f37b4df05a225f79d33a7d36dd900a av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Retention obligation<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8im02mp-ad8036667a3821cff79e8bc9023cde55 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The retention obligation for e-invoices in Germany is regulated by the German Fiscal Code (AO) and the German Commercial Code (HGB) and corresponds to the same requirements as for paper invoices. E-invoices must be stored for a period of 10 years. The period begins at the end of the calendar year in which the invoice was issued.  <\/p>\n<p>When storing electronic invoices, it is important that they are archived in a way that ensures their legibility and immutability over the entire retention period. This means that the invoices must be both legible at all times and protected against changes. <\/p>\n<p>It is also important that e-invoices may not be changed in order to ensure the integrity of the data. Subsequent processing, for example by changing XML data or PDFs, is not permitted by law. If an e-invoice is printed out and stored on paper, the same retention obligations apply to this printout as for other paper documents. Here too, it must be ensured that the data cannot be changed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>E-invoicing has been mandatory for companies in Germany since January 1, 2025. This obligation affects the B2B sector in particular and is intended to drive forward the digitalization of accounting. In this context, various e-invoice formats such as ZUGFeRD and XRechnung are becoming increasingly important. A comparison of these formats illustrates their specific features and areas of application.   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[578,535,579],"tags":[584,582,583,580,581],"class_list":["post-10360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-e-invoice","category-legal","category-zugferd-en","tag-comparison","tag-e-invoice","tag-formats","tag-xinvoice","tag-zugferd-en"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>E-invoice formats in comparison - Spesenfuchs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spesenfuchs.de\/en\/e-invoice-formats-in-comparison\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"E-invoice formats in comparison - Spesenfuchs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"E-invoicing has been mandatory for companies in Germany since January 1, 2025. 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