Keilare Documents

E-Voice

On keilare.com you can create XRechnung and ZUGFeRD without a subscription. For structured capture and processing of letters and specialist documents, Keilare Documents is the next step.

BusinessesSelf-employed

The problem

Compliant e-invoices are mandatory, yet implementation stays with businesses and freelancers, often through paid software and extra subscriptions. For the self-employed and small companies, fixed costs add up quickly.

Solution

A free, GDPR-compliant e-invoice generator for individual invoices. For more complex documents and workflows, Keilare Documents takes over.

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E-invoicing requirements at a glance

Since January 2025, domestic businesses must be able to receive e-invoices. Issuing them follows a phased timeline through 2028. Permitted formats comply with EN 16931 — in Germany mainly XRechnung and ZUGFeRD, as created by e-voice.

Sources

As of

1 August 2026

1. What counts as an e-invoice?

From 1 January 2025, an e-invoice exists only when the invoice is issued, transmitted and received in a structured electronic format that allows automated processing. A plain PDF by email is no longer an e-invoice but an "other invoice".

2. Who requires what?

In B2B, Germany's Growth Opportunities Act (2024) implements the obligation via the VAT Act (§ 14 UStG). The technical basis is the European standard EN 16931. For invoices to public contracting authorities, the Federal E-Invoicing Ordinance (E-RechV) also applies; suppliers to the federal government have had to invoice electronically since 27 November 2020.

3. Timeline for businesses (B2B)

From 1 January 2025: obligation to receive e-invoices for all domestic businesses. Until 31 December 2026: transitional period for issuing — paper or PDF with recipient consent still allowed. From 1 January 2027: issuing obligation for businesses with prior-year revenue above €800,000. From 1 January 2028: e-invoices required for virtually all B2B invoices between domestic businesses.

4. Permitted formats

E-invoices must comply with EN 16931. In Germany, XRechnung (pure XML) and ZUGFeRD from version 2.0.1 are common — except profiles MINIMUM and BASIC-WL. For hybrid formats, the structured XML part has been authoritative since 2025, not the PDF image.

5. Exceptions

No e-invoice required for invoices to end consumers (B2C), small amounts up to €250 gross, travel tickets and certain tax-exempt supplies. Small businesses under the Kleinunternehmer rule are exempt from issuing but must still be able to receive e-invoices.