ZUGFeRD Validator: The flexible e-invoice
Are you just entering the world of digital invoice processing? Then ZUGFeRD is often the perfect starting point. Behind the name, an abbreviation for “Central User Guide of the Forum Electronic Invoice Germany”, is a particularly user-friendly invoice format. It has been specially designed to make the transition to e-invoicing as easy as possible and bridges the gap between visual readability and machine processing. -> Click here for the e-invoice validator
Table of Contents
The special thing about ZUGFeRD is its hybrid character. Each ZUGFeRD invoice consists of two parts:
- A PDF file:A document that is visually readable for humans, just like you are used to from classic invoices.
- An embedded XML file:A structured data set that is optimized for automatic, machine processing in accounting systems.
This structure makes ZUGFeRD enormously flexible and the ideal solution for the exchange of invoices between companies (B2B) and with private customers (B2C).
What is the difference between ZUGFeRD and XRechnung?
While both formats are based on the European standard EN 16931, the decisive difference lies in the presentation. An XRechnung is a pure XML file – without a visual component. It is designed for fully automated processing, but requires special software to be readable by a human.
A ZUGFeRD invoice, on the other hand, can always be opened and read as a PDF, even if the receiving system cannot process the embedded XML data.
When is ZUGFeRD the more sensible choice?
ZUGFeRD is always the right decision if you have a broad group of recipients. It’s the perfect format for small and medium-sized businesses, the self-employed, and anyone who sends invoices to recipients who aren’t sure if they have software to process pure XML data. They thus ensure both easy readability for humans and the option of automated processing.
The following list provides an overview of the validity periods of the individual versions of the ZUGFeRD standard.
- 1.0 of June 25, 2014
- 2.0 of March 11, 2019
- 2.1 of 24 March 2020
- 2.1.1 of 1 July 2020
- 2.2 of 1 March 2022
- 2.3 of 18 September 2024
- 2.3.3 of 7 May 2025
- 2.4 of 4 December 2025
Validate your ZUGFeRD invoices
A ZUGFeRD invoice must also be valid. The validation checks whether the embedded XML data complies with the official standard and can be read correctly. This is the only way to guarantee smooth digital processing.
Would you like to check your ZUGFeRD invoice for compliance? Use our free online validator! -> Click here for the e-invoice validator
