ZUGFeRD Validator
Validator
🇩🇪 Validate ZUGFeRD Invoices for Germany
ZUGFeRDMandatoryPeppol
ZUGFeRD 2.x is required in Germany. Germany has one of the most active e-invoicing mandates in the EU.
Quick Facts
Format
ZUGFeRD 2.x
Standard
EN 16931
Mandate
B2B Mandatory
Peppol
Connected
What We Validate
PDF/A-3b conformance (ICC profile, embedded fonts)
Factur-x.xml attachment extraction and parsing
ZUGFeRD profile identification (Minimum → Extended)
DATEV import compatibility checks (field mapping)
XRechnung compliance (Extended profile only)
German USt-IdNr and Steuernummer format validation
Bank details structure (IBAN/BIC format)
Invoice Navigator covers 147 XRechnung 3.0.2 rules for Germany.
Common ZUGFeRD Errors
Germany 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.
FAQ
Which ZUGFeRD profile do I need for DATEV?
DATEV can import all profiles, but Basic or EN 16931 are recommended for automatic booking. Minimum profile only provides reference data—manual data entry still required.
How do I use ZUGFeRD for German B2G (government)?
Use the Extended profile, which is XRechnung-compliant. After validation, extract the CII XML and submit it to ZRE (federal) or your state's OZG-RE portal. The PDF isn't accepted by B2G portals—only the XML.
Why does my PDF fail ZUGFeRD validation?
Common cause: missing PDF/A-3b compliance. Check that your PDF has an embedded ICC color profile (sRGB) and all fonts embedded. Many PDF generators create standard PDFs, not PDF/A-3.
Can I convert my ZUGFeRD to Peppol?
Not directly—Peppol uses UBL, ZUGFeRD uses CII. However, you can convert the CII XML to UBL (both express EN 16931 semantically). Our validator identifies which data is present for conversion readiness.
What's the difference between ZUGFeRD and Factur-X?
Same technical specification, different branding. ZUGFeRD is the German/DACH name; Factur-X is used in France. Files are interchangeable. Use "ZUGFeRD" when working with German partners, "Factur-X" for French.
Validators
ZUGFeRD Validator
Learn
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Errors
Germany E-Invoice Errors
Answers
Is PDF still acceptable for invoicing in the EU?
Answers
How do I validate XRechnung invoices?
Learn
Free ZUGFeRD 2.x Validator
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