®Germany B2B e-invoicing integration
Germany's B2B e-invoicing rollout has started. Since January 2025 every domestic business must be able to receive structured e-invoices, and issuing becomes mandatory in phases from 2027. We connect your software to the EN 16931 formats (XRechnung and ZUGFeRD) so you can receive now and issue on schedule.
Prefer to write? Email sales@nowgray.com with the software you run today and your timeline.
Since 1 January 2025 every domestic business must be able to receive structured e-invoices. Issuing becomes mandatory in phases: from 2027 for larger businesses and from 2028 for the rest.
- Receive EN 16931 e-invoices now
- XRechnung & ZUGFeRD formats
- Issuing phased from 2027
- No central portal (direct exchange)
What is Mandatory B2B e-invoicing (Wachstumschancengesetz) in Germany?
Germany's Growth Opportunities Act (Wachstumschancengesetz) introduced mandatory B2B e-invoicing in stages. The first stage is already in force: since 1 January 2025, every domestic business must be able to receive a structured e-invoice. That obligation is universal, regardless of size, and a PDF is not a structured e-invoice.
Issuing is phased. From 1 January 2027, businesses above a turnover threshold (reported prior-year turnover over 800,000 euro) must issue structured e-invoices, and from 1 January 2028 the obligation extends to all remaining businesses. Germany uses the EN 16931 standard, with XRechnung (pure XML) and ZUGFeRD (hybrid PDF plus XML) as the common formats, exchanged directly rather than through a central portal for now.
The practical first move for every German business is the receiving capability, which many systems still lack.
A complete Germany integration.
Whether you run an off-the-shelf ERP, a cloud accounting app, or a POS you built in-house, we make it comply with Mandatory B2B e-invoicing (Wachstumschancengesetz), end to end.
Receiving capability
We make your software able to accept and process XRechnung and ZUGFeRD invoices, the obligation that is already live.
XRechnung generation
We produce pure-XML XRechnung invoices for public-sector and B2B recipients that require it.
ZUGFeRD generation
We produce hybrid ZUGFeRD invoices (PDF plus embedded XML) where that suits your customers.
EN 16931 mapping
We map your invoice data to the EN 16931 standard so both formats validate.
Direct exchange
We set up direct exchange with your trading partners, with Peppol where that is the better route.
ERP / billing integration
All of this runs inside your existing ERP or billing software.
The Germany compliance timeline.
Starting before enforcement means a calm cutover. Waiting means doing it under pressure.
Receiving mandatory
Every domestic business must be able to receive structured e-invoices.
Issuing (larger businesses)
Businesses with prior-year turnover above 800,000 euro must issue structured e-invoices.
Issuing (all businesses)
The issuing obligation extends to all remaining businesses. Confirm the current thresholds with the BMF.
Who the Mandatory B2B e-invoicing (Wachstumschancengesetz) rules affect.
All domestic businesses (receiving)
Every German business must already be able to receive EN 16931 structured e-invoices, whatever its size.
Larger businesses (issuing 2027)
Businesses with prior-year turnover above 800,000 euro must issue structured e-invoices from 1 January 2027.
All other businesses (issuing 2028)
Remaining businesses must issue structured e-invoices from 1 January 2028.
Dates and thresholds change, and scope depends on your exact situation. Treat this page as a starting point, confirm the detail with the Bundesministerium der Finanzen (BMF), and tell us what you run today, we will tell you plainly what an integration would involve.
Built into the software you already run.
We start with the obligation you already have, the ability to receive XRechnung and ZUGFeRD invoices, then set you up to issue on your phase. It all runs inside your existing ERP or billing software, or in a new system if yours cannot be adapted.
Because the formats are EN 16931 based, the same work supports cross-border e-invoicing with other EU partners.
Germany e-invoicing questions.
Is B2B e-invoicing mandatory in Germany yet?
The receiving obligation is: since 1 January 2025 every domestic business must be able to receive structured e-invoices. Issuing is phased, from 2027 for larger businesses and 2028 for the rest. Confirm the current rules with the BMF.
What is the difference between XRechnung and ZUGFeRD?
XRechnung is a pure-XML format; ZUGFeRD is a hybrid that embeds XML inside a PDF. Both meet the EN 16931 standard. We generate whichever suits each customer.
I only receive invoices, do I need to do anything?
Yes. The ability to receive structured e-invoices has been mandatory for all domestic businesses since 1 January 2025, and many systems still cannot do it.
Can you integrate this with my ERP?
Yes. We add receiving and issuing to your existing ERP or billing software, and we also build compliant systems from scratch.
How do I get started?
Email sales@nowgray.com with your software and prior-year turnover. We will scope your receiving capability and your issuing timeline.
Start your Germany e-invoicing integration.
Tell us what software you run and your timeline. We will scope the integration and get you compliant with Mandatory B2B e-invoicing (Wachstumschancengesetz) well before enforcement reaches you.
Enquiries: sales@nowgray.com · Source of truth: Bundesministerium der Finanzen (BMF)