How is it different from ZUGFeRD?

ZUGFeRD also contains a readable PDF. Both comply with EN 16931. For public authorities XRechnung is the standard, between businesses ZUGFeRD is common.

Where do I get the Leitweg-ID?

From the authority: it is stated in the order, the purchase order or the contract. If it is missing, ask the authority before you send the invoice.

Does XRechnung work for business customers too?

Yes. It meets the e-invoicing mandate between businesses just like ZUGFeRD, provided the recipient can process the format.

E-invoicing guide

Create an XRechnung and send it to authorities

XRechnung is the German format for electronic invoices to public authorities. It consists of data only and is addressed with a Leitweg-ID. This is how TWT Invoice creates it: checked and ready for the invoice portal.

See TWT Invoice

What is an XRechnung?

An XRechnung is an XML file following the European standard EN 16931, extended by German rules. It is published by the Coordination Office for IT Standards (KoSIT). Version 3.0 applies; version 4.0 has been announced.

Because an XRechnung has no page view, the recipient needs software to read it. Public authorities process it automatically. Between businesses it is less common, but just as valid.

Who needs an XRechnung?

Suppliers of the federal government have had to invoice electronically since 27 November 2020; the federal states have their own rules and deadlines. Between businesses, XRechnung is one of the ways to meet the e-invoicing mandate.

The deadlines of the e-invoicing mandate

The Leitweg-ID

The Leitweg-ID is the address of the authority the invoice is for. It is stated in the order or the contract and goes into the buyer reference field of the XRechnung (BT-10). Without it the federal invoice portals do not accept the invoice.

Sending it: portal, email or Peppol

Invoices to federal authorities go through the federal invoice portals (ZRE and OZG-RE): by upload, by email or over the Peppol network. Which channels an authority accepts is stated in its requirements.

TWT Invoice creates the XRechnung as a file to upload and sends it by email if you wish.

Creating an XRechnung with TWT Invoice

Create the invoice and store the Leitweg-ID with the customer.
Choose the XRechnung 3.0 format; mandatory details such as your contact data and the payment terms come from your master data.
Before sending, the KoSIT validator checks the file against the rules of EN 16931 and XRechnung.
Download and upload it to the portal, or send it by email. The file stays in the archive for eight years.

Frequently asked questions

Hardly, because it consists of data only. TWT Invoice shows the XRechnung files you receive as a readable invoice.

Write XRechnung files with TWT Invoice

XRechnung 3.0 with Leitweg-ID, checked before sending. Try it for 30 days, cancel monthly.