XRechnung & ZUGFeRD
Ensure legally compliant e-invoicing in Germany with XRechnung or ZUGFeRD formats.
Saving, sending, and receiving financial documents in Germany involves strict regulations and standards. Two German e-invoicing standards—XRechnung and ZUGFeRD—make complying with these regulations and streamlining e-invoicing processes easier. XRechnung is the format for compliant invoicing to the German public sector (B2G), and ZUGFeRD is a hybrid format for transactions between organizations (B2B). With our advanced e-invoicing solutions, Routty, you can seamlessly adopt and implement the German invoicing standards, ensuring compliance, reducing manual effort, and streamlining your financial operations.
What are XRechnung & ZUGFeRD?
XRechnung is the official XML-based invoice format mandated for federal-level B2G invoicing in Germany. It provides a strictly defined data structure that allows public authorities to process invoices automatically, reducing manual intervention and errors.
ZUGFeRD (Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland) is a hybrid format that embeds structured XML data inside a PDF/A-3 file. This approach offers a human-readable PDF for recipients who still rely on traditional methods, while digitally advanced organizations can automatically extract and process the embedded XML data.
Although XRechnung and ZUGFeRD differ in structure, both comply with European e-invoicing norms (EN 16931) and ensure legally valid invoices for German public and private sectors.
Why are XRechnung & ZUGFeRD necessary?
Before introducing these standards, sending invoices to various public-sector entities required navigating different systems, formats, and regulations—often resulting in manual data entry and inefficient processes. By providing uniform formats for B2G and B2B invoice exchange, XRechnung and ZUGFeRD help:
- Reduce the risk of errors and delays;
- Simplify the compliance with legal requirements;
- Enable seamless automation within ERP and finance systems;
- And to facilitate cross-border transactions under EU standards.
Benefits of XRechnung & ZUGFeRD
- Legal Compliance: These standards adhere to German regulations and align with EN 16931, ensuring your invoices meet the legal requirements for B2G and B2B transactions.
- Automation & Efficiency: Structured data allows invoices to be validated and processed without manual intervention, reducing errors and speeding up approval and payment cycles.
- Flexibility: ZUGFeRD’s hybrid approach serves organizations at various levels of digital maturity, while XRechnung is ideal for fully automated public-sector invoicing.
- Cost Reduction: Eliminating manual handling, printing, and operational expenses, particularly for companies sending high volumes.
- Scalability & Interoperability: Both formats are designed for easy integration into existing ERP systems, allowing you to scale your invoicing processes as your business grows.
The XRechnung and ZUGFeRD datasheet with technical specifications.
Digitize and automate invoicing with XRechnung & ZUGFeRD
XRechnung and ZUGFeRD each support the digitization and automation of invoicing in Germany. While XRechnung is specifically mandated for federal B2G transactions, ZUGFeRD’s hybrid PDF/A-3 approach (readable PDF with embedded XML data) is widely adopted in the public and private sectors. Given their alignment with European e-invoicing norms, these standards can also be used in cross-border transactions within the EU.
Encrypted document exchange
When you send invoices in the XRechnung or ZUGFeRD format using an e-invoicing platform, documents are validated, encrypted, and securely transmitted to the recipient. This ensures that sensitive financial data remains protected while adhering to the strict regulations governing digital transactions in Germany.


Streamline your German e-invoicing today
Businesses can seamlessly send and receive invoices by leveraging standardized formats like XRechnung or ZUGFeRD and a powerful e-invoicing platform like Routty while automatically meeting German regulatory requirements. Embrace these modern invoicing solutions to enhance operational efficiency, reduce manual work, and foster smoother financial workflows within Germany and the EU.
Send and receive financial documents confidently using the standardized XRechnung and ZUGFeRD formats, ensuring secure, compliant invoicing across Germany and the EU.
Electronic invoice delivery with Routty
With Routty, you benefit from an e-invoicing solution capable of processing incoming and outgoing financial documents aligned with German and European standards. Routty supports XRechnung and ZUGFeRD alongside other popular formats like EDI and channels like PEPPOL. By integrating with your existing ERP or financial software, Routty streamlines every step of the invoicing process:
- Sending: Transmit invoices to government agencies (via XRechnung) or business partners (via ZUGFeRD or other formats).
- Converting: Convert documents into the correct format to ensure full compliance and optimized workflow.
- Receiving: Capture incoming invoices automatically, regardless of format.
- Archiving: Securely store invoices in compliance with legal retention requirements.
