What is an e-invoice?
An e-invoice provides invoice content in a structured, machine-readable XML data set instead of on paper or in an image file such as a PDF. This ensures that information provided in this form by the biller can be transmitted and received electronically and seamlessly and can be processed and approved for payment automatically.
Implementation of e-invoicing
Digitalisation and automation of business processes are increasingly becoming part of everyday business operations. E-invoicing is a key topic. Starting 27 November 2020, suppliers to the Federal Government will be mandated to issue invoices in electronic format for public contracts. However, besides the legal obligation, it is also worthwhile to look at the opportunities and advantages of e-invoicing for your own company.
On this page you will find general information on e-invoicing and the associated forms and deadlines, the Federal Government’s invoice receipt platforms as well as comprehensive content that can help you transition to e-invoicing. Furthermore, this website serves as an orientation guide and contact point for all topics concerning e-invoicing. A variety of information material for invoice issuers, software developers and authorities is available here. The site is continuously being updated with new content and formats. So make sure to check back regularly.
The basics of sending e-invoices to the Federal Administration
The latest version of the XRechnung standard must always be used when issuing e-invoices to the Federal Administration. Any other standard (e.g. ZUGFeRD version 2.1.1 or later with the XRechnung profile, as a purely structured XML file) can also be used, if it meets the requirements of the European standard for electronic invoicing (EN-16931), the Federal Government’s Regulation on Electronic Invoicing (E-RechV) and the Federal Government’s terms of use for the invoice submission platforms.
Two main platforms are available for submitting e-invoices to Federal Government invoice recipients: The Central Invoice Submission Portal (ZRE) , for suppliers to the direct Federal Administration, and the Online Access Act-Compliant Invoice Submission Portal (OZG-RE) , for suppliers to the indirect Federal Administration and the Federal States of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony and Thuringia.
Billers, such as suppliers or service providers, can submit their e-invoices via these platforms. In addition to simply submitting e-invoices, there is also a self-service option to manually create e-invoices.
Indirect Federal Administration public contracting authorities are not obliged to use the OZG-RE, which is why in-house solutions are also possible in individual cases in addition to ZRE and OZG-RE. The contracting authority will inform its billers about the invoice submission method to be used.
Find out more about the ZRE and OZG-RE here:
The introduction of e-invoicing is part of the Federal Government’s service consolidation programme. By 2025, shared powerful and secure IT solutions for the Federal Administration are supposed to be developed in more than 40 projects and made available to around 200 Federal Authorities.
Current information
Information on e-invoicing in Germany’s federal states
E-invoicing at German federal level and federal state level Since 27 November 2020, with just a few exceptions, suppliers to the German federal...
Invoice submission platforms
More detailed information
Implementation of e-invoicing within the Federal Administration (DE)
Laws and ordinances
Directive on electronic invoicing (DE)
Regulation on Electronic Invoicing (E-RechV) (DE)
Timeline of the e-invoicing legislation (DE)
Contact
Contact request
+49 (0)30 2598 4436
(Support hotline for billers)
