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ZUGFeRD

Create ZUGFeRD invoices – as simple as a PDF.

You enter the invoice data and pick ZUGFeRD as the format, and faktoora turns it into a file compliant with EN 16931: a readable PDF/A-3 with embedded XML data. From €29/month plus VAT – 30 days free, no credit card.

Or call us:+49 731-850 70 390

30 days free · No credit card · Hosted in Germany · ISO 27001

faktoora: create an invoice, choose the format and validate it

In practice

ZUGFeRD in day-to-day business: the three most common hurdles.

Three reasons an ordinary PDF invoice no longer gets through to the recipient.

Your customer asks for ZUGFeRD

If a recipient requires a structured e-invoice, a plain PDF is not enough: the invoice has to be created again in the required format and sent a second time.

Which format for which recipient?

ZUGFeRD, XRechnung, Peppol: who expects what is rarely obvious at first glance. The wrong format means rework.

Rejections caused by format errors

If a mandatory EN 16931 field is missing, the invoice is rejected during validation – a correction and a second delivery are needed.

In three steps

From signing up to a sent ZUGFeRD invoice.

No rollout project, no installation: you start straight away in the browser.

  1. Create an account

    Sign up with an email address and a password. The trial starts without payment details and with the full feature set.

    • No credit card
    • 30 days free
  2. Enter the invoice data, choose ZUGFeRD

    Enter recipient, line items and amounts in the form and select ZUGFeRD as the format. The XML data is generated from it – you never edit XML.

    • Format choice in the form
    • Products & line items
  3. Validate and send

    faktoora checks the mandatory EN 16931 fields and sends the invoice by email. The recipient opens the PDF as usual while their software reads the embedded data.

    • EN 16931
    • Email
    • PDF/A-3

ResultA ZUGFeRD invoice your recipient can read and their software can process – archived in line with GoBD.

ZUGFeRD in detail

What makes a ZUGFeRD invoice.

Four building blocks that turn your invoice data into one file for humans and machines.

Hybrid of PDF/A-3 and XML

ZUGFeRD is a hybrid format made of a readable PDF/A-3 and embedded XML data – one file for humans and machines.


  • Hybrid PDF+XML
  • PDF/A-3

Validation against EN 16931

Mandatory fields, amounts and VAT logic are checked automatically before an invoice leaves the house.


  • EN 16931
  • Before sending

One account, every format

If the next recipient asks for XRechnung or Factur-X, you switch the format in the same form – no second tool. Factur-X matches the content of the current ZUGFeRD versions.


  • XRechnung
  • Factur-X
  • Peppol

Incoming invoices included

PDF invoices with an embedded format such as ZUGFeRD or Factur-X have their data extracted automatically on arrival.


  • Extracted automatically
  • Factur-X

ZUGFeRD or XRechnung?

Three typical recipients, three formats.

The recipient decides which format is right – not the software. In faktoora, switching is one click in the same form.

Public authorities and public-sector clients

Public-sector clients in Germany often require XRechnung: a pure XML data set without a readable document. What applies in a given case is set by the authority itself.

  • Format: XRechnung
  • Routing ID (Leitweg-ID) where the recipient requires it
  • Delivery as specified by the recipient

Businesses in B2B

Many business customers want to look at the invoice and process it automatically at the same time. That is exactly what ZUGFeRD is made for.

  • Format: ZUGFeRD
  • Readable PDF/A-3 with embedded XML data
  • Delivery by email where the recipient accepts it

Partners elsewhere in Europe

Peppol is a widely used route for cross-border exchange; in France, Factur-X is common. Which format and which route apply is set by the recipient.

  • Format: Factur-X
  • Delivery over Peppol, for example
  • One account for every format

Pricing

ZUGFeRD is included from Business up.

No format surcharge, no minimum term. Try it free for 30 days, no credit card.

  • Business

    The simple solution for companies in B2B & B2C.

    €29/month

    • Receive and create e-invoices
    • XRechnung, ZUGFeRD & PEPPOL
    • Bulk import for invoice line items
    • Banking
    • Data export (DATEV, CSV, XLS)
    • Email support
    Try free for 30 days
  • Custom

    The tailored solution for complex requirements and large volumes.

    Price on request

    • All Premium features
    • Dedicated account manager
    • SLA guarantee
    • Onboarding & training
    • Custom integrations
    • Your own SMTP server
    • Priority support
    Request a quote

All prices per month, plus VAT.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about ZUGFeRD.

Send your next invoice as ZUGFeRD.

Try it free for 30 days, then from €29/month plus VAT – no credit card and no minimum term.

Or call us:+49 731-850 70 390

30 days free · No credit card · Cancel anytime · GDPR-compliant