Validate XRechnung invoices for Germany
XRechnung is required in Germany. Germany has one of the most active e-invoicing mandates in the EU.
Check a XRechnung invoiceChecking is free. The tool detects the profile itself.
At a glance
FormatXRechnung
StandardEN 16931
MandateB2B mandatory
PeppolConnected
What we validate
XRechnung 2.3/3.0 CIUS rules
EN 16931 core compliance
Leitweg-ID format validation
German tax number formats (USt-IdNr)
UBL or CII syntax support
Buyer reference requirements
Payment terms validation
Common XRechnung rejections
BR-DE-01Missing Buyer Reference (Leitweg-ID)BR-DE-05Invalid Leitweg-ID formatBR-DE-17Seller contact requiredBR-DE-18Seller email requiredBR-DE-04Invalid XRechnung CustomizationIDGermany e-invoicing requirements
| Phase | Status | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| B2G | Live (Nov 2020) | All federal suppliers |
| B2B receiving | Live (Jan 2025) | All German businesses |
| B2B sending | Jan 2027 | >€800K annual revenue |
| B2B sending | Jan 2028 | All businesses |
Validation engineKoSIT (koordinierungsstelle-it-standards.de)
Required CIUSXRechnung 3.0.2
Government portalZRE (Zentraler Rechnungseingang) ↗
Routing identifierLeitweg-ID (mandatory for B2G)
PeppolYes — SMP/SML lookup required for Peppol delivery
The B2B mandate has three sharp edges that affect pipeline design.
XRechnung FAQ
- What is XRechnung?
- XRechnung is Germany's national specification (CIUS) of EN 16931. It is the standard format for invoices to German public authorities and one of the accepted formats for domestic B2B e-invoices.
- What is a Leitweg-ID?
- The Leitweg-ID is the routing identifier of a German public-sector buyer. It goes into the buyer reference (BT-10), and the buyer gives it to you. Without it, invoices to public authorities are rejected (BR-DE-15).
- Should I use UBL or CII for XRechnung?
- Both syntaxes are valid XRechnung. UBL is more common internationally (Peppol uses it); CII is the syntax inside ZUGFeRD. Both can be checked here.
- Is XRechnung the same as ZUGFeRD?
- No. XRechnung is a pure XML file. ZUGFeRD is a PDF with embedded CII XML. ZUGFeRD's XRECHNUNG profile carries an XRechnung-conformant XML; its EXTENDED profile does not.
- When does e-invoicing become mandatory for German B2B?
- Since 1 January 2025 every German business must be able to receive e-invoices. Issuing them becomes mandatory on 1 January 2027 for businesses with prior-year turnover above €800,000 and on 1 January 2028 for all. XRechnung is one accepted format; ZUGFeRD from version 2.0.1 (except the MINIMUM and BASIC WL profiles) is another.
- Is checking free?
- Checking is free. The first verified download every 30 days is free. After that €1.90 per invoice, or €9 a month for all of them. Checking needs no account. You only pay when a file has passed the check and you download it.
- Do you fix my invoice automatically?
- No. We never change amounts, line items or taxes. Where mandatory details are missing, you supply them, we enter them and check the file again. If the export from your invoicing system is structurally broken, you get the error report for your software support, free of charge.
- Where is my file checked, and is it stored?
- On our servers, not in your browser. Your file is used only to check and fix your invoice and to deliver your result. Results are kept so you can download a verified file again for 90 days; validation logs are deleted after 90 days. You can request deletion at any time.
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