Create an e-invoice for free

Fill in a form and download a validated XRechnung (UBL or CII) or ZUGFeRD PDF – free, without an account, calculated according to EN 16931.

When you need an e-invoice

For supplies between domestic businesses the e-invoice is mandatory from 2028, and from 2027 if your previous year's turnover exceeded €800,000 (§ 27(38) UStG). Federal authorities have required e-invoices since 27 November 2020 (E-Rechnungsverordnung). More in the guide to the e-invoicing mandate.

How to create the invoice

1. Open the invoice creator.
2. Enter seller, buyer, invoice number, date and the lines.
3. Choose the format: XRechnung (a plain XML file, the standard for public authorities) or ZUGFeRD (a PDF with embedded XML).
4. Validate and download. Errors are shown with the rule they break.

Totals and taxes are calculated according to EN 16931, and the file is validated under the official rules before you download it. Nothing is stored.

What an invoice must contain

The mandatory details are listed in § 14(4) UStG, among them: name and address of seller and buyer, tax number or VAT ID, issue date, a sequential invoice number, quantity and type of the goods or services, the date of supply, the net amount per tax rate, the tax rate and the tax amount.

If you invoice regularly

The free creator is meant for single invoices. For regular invoicing with an archive and delivery there is an account; software vendors integrate the API.

Frequently asked questions

Is the invoice really valid?

It is validated with KoSIT's official validator configuration. Whether the content is right – the tax rate or the description of the service, for example – is up to you.

XRechnung or ZUGFeRD – which should I choose?

XRechnung for public authorities. For businesses both are allowed; ZUGFeRD has the advantage that people can read the PDF without extra software. See XRechnung or ZUGFeRD?.

Does it cost anything?

No. Creating and validating single invoices is free.

Sources

• § 14 UStG and § 27 UStG (German)
• Federal E-Rechnungsverordnung, § 3 (German)
• FAQ on the e-invoice (Federal Ministry of Finance, German)

As of 19 October 2026. This guide is not tax advice.